WHEATON SWIMMING FAQ
1. Will I have time to hold a part-time job?
Answer: We recognize the need for students to work during the year, and there are a large number of part-time jobs available both on and off campus. The Student Employment Office carries a full listing of job opportunities. Naturally, the amount of part-time work that a student can handle depends greatly on his academic and extracurricular load. Many of the swimmers on the team do work part-time during the week all season long, while others consolidate their employment into the weeks outside of swim season. No one on swim team has ever been unable to find a part-time job during the school year due to the growing economy of the suburban area in which Wheaton is located.
2. How long is the season, and how many hours a day would I practice?
Answer: The competitive meet season runs from November through March, and swim practices officially begin in September for the conditioning phase of the season. Our regular training program consists of afternoon practices (2 1/2 hours) Mondays through Fridays, and morning swim practices at various times during the season. Weight training is done during the course of the season at times based upon individual's class schedule. Our program has the flexibility to challenge the motivated, experienced swimmer as well as provide an opportunity for the student beginning his swimming career in college.
3. Will I have time to do well in my academic work and be on swim team?
Answer: Every student at Wheaton has different study needs, but as coaches, we recognize the priority of academics and Christian service over athletics, and we strive to maintain this balance while pursuing excellence in sport. Obviously, if a student cannot handle a sound academic program and participate on the swim team, he must drop the swimming until he is on solid educational footing. It is very true that swim team takes a heavy commitment of time and energy, but rarely is any team member unable to fulfill the demands of both areas. There are occasions when a course or a lab will conflict with the regularly scheduled practice time. In these cases, the swimmer meets his academic responsibilities first, and then comes to the pool. It is also true that some academic disciplines are more difficult than others, but the swim team has had students not only complete, but excel in every major. We have several Academic All-Americans and have had NCAA post grad scholarship winners in the past, and our men's and women's teams rank among the top teams nationally with team GPAs of over 3.2
4. What is the meet schedule like?
Answer: Our meet schedule consists of both dual meets and championship meets against both Division I and Division III colleges. This provides opportunities for both our national caliber and our less experienced team members to test themselves against comprable competitors. We view dual meets as less important and preparatory to our performances in the championship level competitions, with our conference and NCAA meets being the most important meets. We provide every member of the team with an end of the season "taper" meet even if they are not on the "varsity" squad.
5. Will I receive individual attention from the coaching staff?
Answer: As head coach I make it a policy to work directly with every man or woman on my team no matter what their level of athletic ability. Our program also has several fine assistant coaches, one of whom has been with us for 18 years now, who also work daily with the members of the team. As Christians, all of the coaches concern themselves not only with the athletic development of the men and women on the team, but also with their personal lives and spiritual growth.
6. What are my chances for success in swimming at Wheaton?
Answer: There are no guarantees, but of the 300 swimmers and divers who have graduated from Wheaton in the past 25 years, only a very small percentage did not significantly improve upon their high school performances. Our program can provide you with many of the same tools for success that are found at major university swim programs including pool facilities, strength programs, underwater stroke analysis, etc. Remember, it is the desire on the part of the athlete to be the best that he/she can be that is most important in determining his ultimate level of success
11. What are some advantages and disadvantages of a Division III swimming program?
Answer: As a Div. III athlete, you are required to maintain a more stringent educational program than a Div. I athlete. You are not given financial aid based on your athletic performance, and so your coach does not have as much control over your athletic career. NCAA rules limit the amount of time that your team can participate in organized training to 21 weeks out of the year, and the qualifying standards for the NCAA Div. III championships are easier to achieve than those at Div. I. Also, the Div. III swimmers are not permitted to compete at the Div. I meet, though they are able to compete at any USS championships. All of these are either advantages or disadvantages depending on the perspective of the athlete.
12. What non-swim team activities are available for social purposes, and what standards would be required of me as a member of the team?
Answer: The College Union provides a wide variety of social activities on campus, such as movies, concerts, and non-traditional fare. Also, since a commuter line runs just south of campus, any of the City of Chicago's wide ranging social dimensions are readily available. As an institution, Wheaton College has several "codes of conduct" based on Biblical principles which are expected of all their students, such as no drinking, no smoking, no drugs, etc., so there are really very few swim team guidelines in addition to these set by the college.
13. Would I incur any extra expenses as a member of the swim team?
Answer: As a member of the swimming team, you will NOT bear additional financial burdens. Our program is fully funded by the college for all normal expenses of training and competition and the only costs to the athletes are for personal supplies such as goggles, caps and training swim suits.
