I’ve posted here before (here, here and here) about the unfortunate decision by UC Santa Cruz to end their water polo program.  More and more I’m convinced the UC is just nickle and diming itself to mediocrity.  Interesting then to see an interview this morning with Alan Cima, a coach who’s been involved with the men’s and women’s program there for the last nine years.  Good perspective on the UCSC rationale (or lack thereof) for the cuts, and I was grateful to learn that Cal and UCLA were “worried” about the situation.  This kind of precedent at one campus cannot be good for any of the UC programs.

I’ve lamented here in the past about the UC’s drive toward mediocrity, particularly as shown by the axing of the Santa Cruz water polo program. Though I still think the UC can and should do better in protecting the system’s reputation and standing in all programs, I read an interesting article yesterday that included some discussion of Yale’s water polo program, and other sports, after they lost official recognition and became club programs. Glad to see that relegation to club status isn’t always the death knell of an athletic program, but can lead to positive outcomes.

Two related notes for the aquatics inclined: Penn State swimmers raised $235 in a charity auction by agreeing to deliver pizza in their speedos, and this year’s Maverick’s Big Wave contest may be canceled due to a lack of sponsors. Hmmm. Pondering. Hmmm.

The Santa Cruz Sentinal is reporting that UCSC has decided to demote its mens and womens water polo teams to club status, rather than cut them outright as originally proposed.  I guess that counts as a save, and leaves the door open for returning the team to NCAA Division III play in better economic times, but still think that beyond losing two great teams and some unique opportunities for the students of the Santa Cruz campus, this is a symptom of the bigger problems within the UC: a lack of will to continue being a great university.   ‘Good enough’ is not what California deserves.

While my alma mater is Cal, that doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings for the lesser other nine campuses of the UC system.  One big happy UC, so the party line goes.  Bear, Bruin, Bobcat, Banana Slug, whatever.  This also explains one of the reasons I love UC San Diego’s Triton Invitational water polo tournament in the fall; there are generally four or five UC teams in the mix and there’s always someone worth cheering for.

So, imagine my dismay to see that the next step in the UC’s nickel and diming toward mediocrity is a proposal to axe men’s and women’s Banana Slug water polo. Will these be the last photos you see of Santa Cruz water polo?  I know education is in in a huge financial crisis in this state – I hear about the problems on local education daily.  Hourly on some days.  But it’s tough sitting back and watching programs get slashed.  College is about more than sleeping though lectures, and if California wants to teleteach commuter students we already have a great community college system.  The UC is special because it is everything: Rose Bowl Champions to Nobel Laureates and everything in between.  Even hard core water polo playing Banana Slugs.

OK, I would have been happiest if the Grateful Dead archives were going to Cal, and most despondent if they’d gone to Stanford.  At least with this option they stay within the system.  Go Slugs!