Swimming & Diving: A one-on-one with Coach Jim Zotz
by Jonathan Steinberg
Staff Writer
Sports | 12/1/09
Posted online at 12:09 AM EST on 12/1/09
Faced with the impending suspension of the program at the conclusion of the season, the men's and women's swimming and diving teams have continued to swim well without deterrence. After five dual meets, the men are 4-1 while the women are 2-3. Both teams have placed swimmers in the top 25 and top 50 swimmers in Division III, and the men are ranked 48th in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America top 50 poll for Division III teams for the first time in program history.
Head coach Jim Zotz spoke with JustSports to comment on the season so far and to give his thoughts regarding the future of the swimming program.
JustSports: Faced with the knowledge that the program is to be suspended at the end of the season, what has been the biggest adversity to overcome this season?
Jim Zotz: Obviously we couldn't recruit. Looking at the program each year, you try to improve from the people you have, but obviously you try to improve it even more through recruiting additional student athletes.
JS: How was preparation this off-season any different from previous seasons?
JZ: Just having to be upfront about the status of the program. We would still be hearing from athletes we had been in contact with from their sophomore or junior years [of high school]; they were contacting us and they were at the point where they were coming to visit. It was difficult knowing that you had to be sure that these prospective students knew what the status was. Obviously, you would still try to cultivate interest in the University, but obviously without the guarantee that they would have a team; that made it difficult to do that type of job.
JS: With regards to status of the program, how do the athletes view the issue?
JZ: Regardless of how well they have been handling it, it is still a constant source of frustration. It is kind of something hanging over their heads, and it doesn't help to have it there on days when things are not going well. It also can be a driving force and motivation, but it differs from athlete to athlete in their perception of the matter.
Head coach Jim Zotz spoke with JustSports to comment on the season so far and to give his thoughts regarding the future of the swimming program.
JustSports: Faced with the knowledge that the program is to be suspended at the end of the season, what has been the biggest adversity to overcome this season?
Jim Zotz: Obviously we couldn't recruit. Looking at the program each year, you try to improve from the people you have, but obviously you try to improve it even more through recruiting additional student athletes.
JS: How was preparation this off-season any different from previous seasons?
JZ: Just having to be upfront about the status of the program. We would still be hearing from athletes we had been in contact with from their sophomore or junior years [of high school]; they were contacting us and they were at the point where they were coming to visit. It was difficult knowing that you had to be sure that these prospective students knew what the status was. Obviously, you would still try to cultivate interest in the University, but obviously without the guarantee that they would have a team; that made it difficult to do that type of job.
JS: With regards to status of the program, how do the athletes view the issue?
JZ: Regardless of how well they have been handling it, it is still a constant source of frustration. It is kind of something hanging over their heads, and it doesn't help to have it there on days when things are not going well. It also can be a driving force and motivation, but it differs from athlete to athlete in their perception of the matter.
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