CSCAA Releases Proposal to ‘Modernize the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championship Format’
The College Swim Coaches Association (CSCAA) has released a document outlining changes it hopes to implement with the NCAA Championships, the sport’s signature event on the college level held each March. The aim of these changes would be to protect swimming’s place in the revenue-obsessed world of college athletics, particularly with the House settlement likely to the effect next season.
The full proposal from the CSCAA on championship changes can be found here.
The document’s introduction states: “This two-part proposal is designed to support collegiate swimming and diving by modernizing the championship format to better align with broadcast needs, while expanding institutional access through an updated qualification process — all without imposing additional financial burdens on institutions or the NCAA.
The first section of the proposal changes the format of the women’s and men’s Division I meets held each March “by creating a high-stakes, heavyweight experience — where every session matters and every race or dive has the power to shift the standings, elevating both the intensity and visibility of the championship and the sport.” The second section discusses qualifying procedures, introducing a modification where all conference championship winners meeting the prescribed qualifying standard would earn automatic qualification for the NCAA meet.
The new model would eliminate consolation finals and score places nine through 16 directly based on results from prelims. Relays would return to a prelim-finals format after moving to timed finals during the 2021 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Only the 1650 freestyle would remain as a timed finals event, with the top-eight seeds racing in the evening, but both possible event lineups would move the distance race to the meet’s opening day.
Under this new model, all awards ceremonies would be held at the end of the session “to allow the finals competition to flow more smoothly, minimizing interruptions and improving the viewer experience.” Only the winner of each event would receive their awards immediately. Further, diving finals would be split into two segments, with the top-eight divers from prelims in each event diving three times during one swimming break and three more times later in the session.
Additionally, the CSCAA recommends instituting new event orders to “place the fastest and most exciting events on the final days of the championship and allow for stronger storytelling, narrative buildup and viewer engagement, as recommended by ESPN producers.” The two proposed event orders are listed below.
Sample Order of Events – A:
- Day 1: 1650 freestyle, 200 medley relay, 800 freestyle relay
- Day 2: 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 1-meter diving (Rds. 1-3), 200 butterfly, 1-meter diving (Rds. 4-6), 400 medley relay
- Day 3: 500 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 3-meter diving (Rds. 1-3), 100 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 3-meter diving (Rds. 4-5), 200 freestyle relay
- Day 4: 100 butterfly, 200 IM, platform diving (Rds. 1-3), 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, platform diving (Rds. 4-6), 400 freestyle relay
Sample Order of Events – B:
- Day 1: 1650 freestyle, 200 medley relay, 800 freestyle relay
- Day 2: 100 butterfly, 400 IM, 1-meter diving (Rds. 1-3), 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 1-meter diving (Rds. 4-6), 200 freestyle relay
- Day 3: 500 freestyle, 50 freestyle, 3-meter diving (Rds. 1-3), 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 3-meter diving (Rds. 4-5), 400 medley relay
- Day 4:, 200 IM, 100 freestyle, platform diving (Rds. 1-3), 200 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, platform diving (Rds. 4-6), 400 freestyle relay
As for the revised automatic qualifying procedures, the NCAA would no longer have “A” and “B” standards for the meet. Instead, there would be one standard approximating “the average 80th-place time over the past three years.” Any swimmers winning their conference title in an event while meeting or exceeding that qualifying time would receive an automatic bid to the national meet. Once all conference champions were selected, “the remainder of the championship field is filled with those who meet or exceed the qualifying standard following the same process that is currently in place.”
According to the CSCAA proposal, this radical change would result in “increased institutional representation,” bringing further conferences and teams into the national mix while keeping the competitive aspects that are the highlight of the NCAA Championships. The changes would not result in any additional costs.
The organization wrote that the new format would help the meet remain “cost-neutral or better,” “meet the needs of broadcast media,” “retain its competitive integrity and prestige” and “increase accessibility and representation.”
In a section of frequently asked questions, the CSCAA writes that it does not recommend combining the women’s and men’s championships or changing the current dates of the event, although it would reconsider based on impact from stakeholders and broadcast partners. The presentation does not put forth the addition of new events, such as 50-yard stroke races.
One further radical development is suggested: “On behalf of its membership, the CSCAA recommends that the NCAA Committee explore a long-term partnership with a consistent host site for the Division I Swimming and Diving Championships.” Indianapolis is raised as a leading contender for the site, although the next three years of meets have already been assigned to Atlanta and Austin, Texas.
CSCAA Executive Director Samantha Barany released a statement (posted below) explaining her group’s process for developing this proposal. A town hall meeting with coaches meant for discussion of these changes is scheduled for Friday.
This proposal is the result of extensive research, data analysis, and thoughtful collaboration among Division I swimming and diving coaches, key stakeholders, and industry leaders. Guided by the CSCAA, and shaped through meaningful dialogue with coaches, administrators, and strategic partners, this model reflects a modern, equitable, and forward-thinking approach to the NCAA Championships.
We are proud to submit this proposal with the unified support of Division I coaches, along with endorsements from national and international governing bodies. This recommendation marks a timely and essential step forward for collegiate swimming and diving—one that acknowledges the current challenges facing college athletics. It presents a cost-neutral solution for the NCAA and member institutions, while offering a compelling opportunity to elevate, modernize, and enhance the overall value of the sport.
This proposal is crafted to meet the demands of broadcast media, positioning the championship for greater linear exposure while preserving its competitive excellence and historic prestige. It enhances accessibility and representation across programs without adding costs for the NCAA or its member institutions. Critically, it maintains the existing four-day format for both the men’s and women’s championships, while allowing flexibility for future innovation.
We believe these thoughtful updates will strengthen the future of NCAA swimming and diving. Thank you for your consideration and continued support of our sport. I remain available for any questions, recommendations or thoughts you may have.
This announcement continues a big week of news from the CSCAA. Earlier, the organization released an open letter defending its “leading from the front” position during the ongoing upheaval in college sports, and the organization is sponsoring a mid-season, four-team dual-meet tournament next season.
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