National group raising money to help save Wright State swimming and diving teams

A national coaches organization is trying to raise money to help save Wright State University’s swimming and diving teams from budget cuts at the school.

RELATED: Wright State approves more than $30.8 million in budget cuts

The College Swimming Coaches Association of America is trying to raise $85,000 to help save WSU's swimming and diving teams. Donors can contribute money through the associations website using a credit card.

More than $15,000 had been donated as of 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the association reported.

If the association is not able to raise the $85,000 by June 30, the money will be returned to donors, the group’s website states.

RELATED: Recently announced layoffs, cuts won’t be enough at Wright State

Wright State’s board of trustees approved more than $30.8 million in budget cuts on Thursday and one of the casualties of the reductions could be the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams.

Wright State’s board of trustees directed interim president Curtis McCray to work with the athletic director to see if there is a way to save the swimming and diving teams without increasing the athletics budget for fiscal year 2018.

The board gave McCray until June 30 to see if there is a way to preserve the teams.

Alumni, supporters and members of WSU’s swimming and diving teams attended the meeting where budget cuts were approved on Thursday. They clapped and stood up as trustees discussed the teams.

Athletics funding has been a controversial topic at WSU because the athletics budget increased as other departments had their budgets slashed.

Officials have said athletics went over budget by so much in previous years that 2018’s proposed $1.4 million budget increase will result in a $200,000 decrease in actual spending.

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