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.

JS: Who stood out as a team leader at the beginning of the season?

JZ: Well by design and by numbers, we have four men and four women seniors. When you look at the size of the team, it is a pretty good percentage. This goes back to last year. Once we knew we were getting an additional season, as soon as the banquet was over, it was important that all the seniors recognize that I was going to be depending on them. But more importantly, they came to me and said that they didn't want it to be the last season for the team. They said that they realized that they were going to get their four years and asked what they could do that they weren't doing yet so that the classes behind them could get their four years.

JS: What has been the team's biggest strength?

JZ: I would have to say the versatility. We have been able to operate and swim very competitively because of the versatility of the athletes, meaning they can swim in different events. Our individual medley swimmers are usually our best swimmers because by swimming the individual medley, we know that they are pretty good in the other events as well, and that has really allowed us to address the strengths and weaknesses of other teams, and beat some of the teams that we wouldn't have beaten if we don't have that versatility.

JS: With one tournament remaining in the fall schedule, what has been the team's greatest accomplishment?

JZ: The men going 4-1. I think that is very impressive. Also the fact that that for the first time they got votes in the collegeswimming.com. That was obviously very impressive. Getting a lot of our men and women into the top 25 and top 50 in the country in Division III that was very important.

JS: What does the team need to do to keep performing the way it has been?

JZ: After the Thursday and Friday study days, we are not allowed to practice as a team, so anyone practicing is doing it voluntarily. If individual team members aren't training on their own, we will be too far behind to get back into it without repercussions. We don't have a whole lot of time. We have three dual meets, the [University Athletic Association] championships, and the [Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships. We have very little margin of error, so I would say the biggest challenge is everyone keeping in shape one way or another.

JS: What should the University know about the swimming program?

JZ: The University should know that the team could continue to be as successful or even more successful than we have been with still training off campus. This has no effect on our ability to be a viable program, with individuals and the team accomplishing greater goals. The only thing stopping us is this uncertainty that does not allow us to recruit. Brandeis is a great school, and we are still going to get those students who are interested in coming to Brandeis. The extra challenge of going off campus is not going to turn away anyone. Is it ideal? No. But is it a program stopper? Definitely no.