For the second time in the last four years, Carleton University’s swimming team has lost its varsity status.
Jennifer Brenning, Carleton’s director of the department of recreation and athletics, said the swimming team is now being run on a “university club” basis by the Ravens of Carleton Swimming (ROCS) club.
Brenning said the demotion took place because the department does not have the resources to invest in order to build a high performance competitive program, as per Swimming Canada’s standards.
This is nothing new for the Ravens swimmers, as former athletics director Drew Love also axed varsity swimming in 2007. Due to public outcry, with her appointment later in 2007, Brenning reinstated several of the programs, including the swimming team, on limited terms.
Clubs, unlike varsity teams, have required membership fees that cover some of their fees. First-year Avery Zingel said she was told the registration fee for this year’s swimming team is $2,100.
Meanwhile, the women’s rugby club has a $350 membership fee, according to women’s rugby president Chelsea Heuff, which includes a full kit and covers travel costs and tournament fees.