Tuesday, November 20, 2001

Swimmers splash into local pools
By Heather Christie
Staff Reporter

No pool, no problem.

Players and coaches said the TCU swimming teams are not letting the closure of their facilities and commutes to local pools interfere with their seasons.

“I personally think it will be well worth it in the long run for training purposes next year and for recruiting for new athletes,” freshman Rilus Graham said.

The pools in the Rickel Building were closed as a part of the on-going renovations, forcing the team to use area facilities. Transportation costs are paid by players, not TCU, swimming coach Richard Sybesma said

The teams are switching between Fort Worth Independent School District Pool at Wilkerson-Grines and the Panther Boys’ Club Pool, Sybesma said. Practice-time, however, will not be reduced.

Senior Josh Pipes said driving to the off-campus pools will be an inconvenience, but it is better than not swimming at all.

Pipes said there are enough swimmers that have transportation to take the others to the pools for practice.

Ross Bailey, associate director of athletics for facilities, said the money for the use of the pools was factored into the Rickel Building relocation funds.

Bailey said anytime there is a renovation project of great importance, the university knows there are relocation costs. TCU sets aside a certain amount of money to go towards relocating offices and facilities, he said.

Sybesma said the pools are comparable to the Rickel, but the FWISD pool is much nicer than the Rickel.

“The Fort Worth ISD’s pool is a lot nicer facility and a lot more water,” Sybesma said. “The Panther Boys’ Club is not as good as the facility that we have.”

Sybesma said the team practices twice daily during the week and on Saturday mornings. Each swimmer practices between eight and 11 times a week, depending on the individual, he said.