Thank you everyone for the all the support. The amount of outreach and universal support is encouraging that we maybe able to change the view point of Chuck the Executive Director of the YAIAA. In 2015 as he took the office he was quoted by the YDR in the below article "I've been around," he said. "I guess I'm one of those old fossils, I don't know."
This is not about a single swimmer but an unknown amount of athletes that are expected to be impacted by budget cuts as area schools WILL, not if, but will need to reduce spending. It is entirely possible that a district with a current team who rents a pool will have their swim program become an easy target to reduce costs. This is just one scenario we need to get ahead of.
The best thing you can do to support is to voice your opinion on how you expect your school tax dollars to be spent and the programs and associations it goes to. Attend meetings and ask the hard questions to your school, athletic director and coaches.
You have a voice and this should not be a decision made in a vacuum by a single person. It’s time we ensure ALL those “old fossil” rules are meeting the expectations of the future. At a minimum this should be opened to vote for next year as this year is another no go. If you are in support of allowing all swimmers to participate ensure your athletic director and coaches are aware to support a vote if one occurs.
All YAIAA athletic directors school contact information and emails can be found here:
Chuck Abbott has listed his email as chasabbo@gmail.com if you want to send further correspondence directly to him.
Please share. Thank you for all the support and words of encouragement.