By James Sutherland on SwimSwam
Ohio State associate head coach Brian Schrader sent out an eight-slide Instagram statement on February 16, sharing his opinion on the changes made to the NCAA Division I Championships this season, specifically the new qualification rule that allows mid-major swimmers to earn an automatic berth.
The College Swimming Coaches of America’s (CSCAA) proposed changes to the championships were approved by the NCAA at the beginning of October, meaning that, effective this season, there will be no consolation finals at NCAAs, the meet will have a new “broadcast-friendly” schedule, and mid-major swimmers will have a chance to earn an automatic berth at their conference meets provided they win the event and go under the qualifying standard.
The new qualifying window has already resulted in 32 women and 25 men from mid-major programs earning automatic berths to the NCAA Championships after two weeks of conference meets.
Schrader said he does not agree with the mid-major qualifying addition and that it results in faster swimmers getting left at home, which is not in the spirit of the sport.
“As a former mid-major head coach who qualified and scored athletes – including rare relay invites – I believe the ‘golden ticket’ approach overreaches,” he said.
“It feels like a policy influenced disproportionately by mid-major interests at the expense of competitive integrity. True opportunity comes from recruiting, development, and performance – not from diluted qualification standards.”
He later goes on to say that “the Division I NCAA Championships used to be the most elite event to qualify for in the world. NOW IT IS NOT.”
“Qualification should not be about participation; it should be about performance.”
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A post shared by Brian Schrader (@coachbschrades)
Schrader goes on to question the way the CSCAA went about making the changes, challenging their claim that coaches were adequately consulted. He says many Power 4 coaches felt “blindsided by the decision.”
“The narrative that coaches were fully consulted does not align with what many experienced. Membership dues should guarantee representation — not require convention attendance to have a voice.”
He also dives into the loss of ‘B’ finals at NCAAs, and how that takes away key opportunities of growth for swimmers to learn how to perform at night, with the pressure on.
“Many of our current and former national team athletes began their elite trajectory through those finals swims,” he said.
“Removing these races diminishes elite development. It also removes energy and engagement from finals sessions. Teams without swims may disengage. The competitive atmosphere will suffer.”
Schrader closes out his post by calling for leadership changes at the CSCAA. See the full text below:
FULL STATEMENT
As we approach championship season, I want to share my perspective on the changes recommended and advocated for by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) that have significantly affected our Division I NCAA Championship meet and many of our conference championships. In my opinion, these changes have not served our coaches or our student-athletes well.
These views are entirely my own. I do not speak on behalf of any team or organization.
Over the course of my career, I have been fortunate to coach at every level of Division I athletics. I have been part of three NCAA Championship teams (2x Texas Men, 1x Georgia Women) and 22 Division I conference championship teams (SEC, Big Ten, Summit League, Sun Belt, and Southwest Conference). I have coached within “have” programs and “have-not” programs, and I built one of the top mid-major programs in the country at the University of Denver.
My governance experience has also been extensive. I worked five years with USA National Teams, serving as committee liaison with Steering, the Athletes’ Executive Committee, and Open Water. I have served on the ISCA Board, the CSCAA Executive Board (Secretary), and most recently the USA Swimming Coaches Advisory Committee. I have supported change when it strengthens our sport. I do not support change that diminishes opportunity or excellence.
As a former mid-major head coach who qualified and scored athletes – including rare relay invites – I believe the “golden ticket” approach overreaches.
It feels like a policy influenced disproportionately by mid-major interests at the expense of competitive integrity.
True opportunity comes from recruiting, development, and performance – not from diluted qualification standards.
These Decisions Were Made Without Adequate Consultation, With Questionable Timing, and Poor Leadership.
Format and qualifying changes were implemented without a secured television contract. Why concede so much without guaranteed return? The narrative that coaches were fully consulted does not align with what many experienced. Membership dues should guarantee representation — not require convention attendance to have a voice. Several Power 4 coaches have expressed feeling blindsided. These changes came amid COVID recovery, NIL adjustments, and roster reductions — a time when stability was essential.The Division I NCAA Championships Used to Be the Most Elite Event to Qualify for in the World. NOW IT IS NOT.
Qualification should not be about participation; it should be about performance. The new qualifying procedures have reduced the field and left faster athletes at home. Swimming has always been simple: the fastest athletes go. Period. We are not basketball seeking “Cinderella” stories. We are not track and field with fundamentally different qualification structures. Eliminating B finals removes critical competitive opportunity – especially for the rare and hard-earned mid-major qualifier. →The Loss of Opportunities is Catastrophic. More Than 50% of Athlete Opportunities Were Lost With the Elimination of B Finals.
B finals created some of the most meaningful developmental moments in collegiate swimming – athletes learning to perform at night, to compete under pressure, to move up. Many of our current and former national team athletes began their elite trajectory through those finals swims. Removing these races diminishes elite development. It also removes energy and engagement from finals sessions. Teams without swims may disengage. The competitive atmosphere will suffer. Most NCAA legislation allows a year for adjustment. These changes were implemented immediately, forcing mid-season alterations to invites and conference meets.This is Not How Championship Preparation Should be Managed.
The CSCAA Must Be Held Accountable
Lost opportunities will not return. Power 4 programs are not being adequately represented. Membership dues are being directed toward new event formats and hand-picked teams in ways many members did not authorize. Advocacy efforts outside the sport’s direct governance have produced little tangible benefit for membership. Governance conflicts of interest must be addressed. No credible nonprofit or corporate organization would allow structural conflicts at the executive level to persist unchecked.Change is Needed–Not at Our Championships, But With Leadership.
Our full-time executive structure has failed to protect athlete opportunity and competitive excellence. Accountability must come before further damage is done. Our sport has always been about clarity, performance, and integrity. We owe our athletes nothing less.Schrader is currently in his fourth season on the Buckeyes staff, which has included three Women’s Big Ten titles. As he outlined in his post, he has coached at all levels of Division I swimming & diving, including being a part of 22 conference championships and three NCAA titles.
He also has an extensive background in governance, as he referenced, including serving on the ISCA Board, the CSCAA Executive Board, and, most recently, the USA Swimming Coaches Advisory Committee.
Among those who commented on Schrader’s post, agreeing with his statement, included Arizona State head coach Herbie Behm, SMU women’s head coach Ozzie Quevedo, and Penn assistant coach Andrew Abeysinghe.
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