Busch facing tough odds in rebuilding UA swim program

As new Arizona swimming coach Augie Busch begins the imposing job of rebuilding the school’s once-dominant programs, he faces these odds: SwimSwam.com projects that 21 of the 40 top recruits in the Class of 2017 – men and women combined – signed with Pac-12 schools. None signed with Arizona. Worse, Arizona lost three of its leading women’s swimmers, who transferred before Busch was hired. Augie’s younger brother, Sam Busch, who initially was to be part of the Arizona staff, was instead hired by TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte to be the Horned Frogs head swimming coach. Sam Busch has an even more difficult assignment: TCU’s main swimming complex is indoors and isn’t regulation size. About 75 former UA swimmers are expected on campus next week for a reunion to honor the Frank Busch years and participate in the swimming-centric 2017 UA Sports Hall of Fame ceremonies. The ex-UA swimmers have already begun a fundraising campaign to help with Hillenbrand Aquatics Center facilities, which includes locker rooms, a timing system and the facility’s lobby.