None — Jacksonville, Fla.-- Some of the girls on UNF's swim and dive team are looking for new schools.
They found out this week, the university is dropping the swim team. It's been a tough week for the girls. For most of them, swimming was why they came to UNF. The program has been around for a decade. "I got a text message saying they just cut our team. I was upset," said Gala Poon. She came to UNF from British Columbia, just to swim."
Ashley Fernaays feels the same way. Swimming was her identity. "When you introduce yourself, it's like I'm Ashley. I'm a swimmer at UNF."
This week, UNF decided the swimming and diving program costs too much for the college. The girls found out Monday afternoon at practice. "He basically came in and told us it was a business deal," said Fernaays.
But swimming was more than just a business deal to this team. It was practicing 20 hours a week and swimming to make their school proud. "It's heartbreaking that it's over. We make a commitment to them and they make a commitment to us as well," said Poon.
As the team leaves the building to go their separate ways, they'll always remember just how close their sport brought them. "It's your family. It's not even just a friendship, I mean we're together more than we see our family," said Fernaays.
For the students that had scholarships, the school will still honor those. There's also a club team the students can join as well, but it's not nearly as competitive.
UNF's athletic director also cited the level of competition, facilities and conference membership as reasons the program was cut.
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