University of Maryland swimmers want to save their team after hearing the sport may be cut due to a budget shortfall.

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“I mean, it was like everything that I’ve worked for since I was a little kid was being taken away pretty much,” said swimmer Chelsea Eberwein.

Members of the swim team were told Tuesday the men's and women's swimming and diving teams could be eliminated due to shortfalls in Maryland's athletic budget. It was crushing news for the Maryland Terrapin swimmers.

“I think what’s most important is, we don't want to be seen as like a business. The student athletes treated like numbers - we are people and we want to have that college experience we expected to have coming in here,” said Haley Bull.

A panel examining ways to solve the financial problems is due to give its final report to the school's president Monday, a university spokesperson said, adding that nothing has been decided.

The athletic director told the coaches to hold back scholarship letters to recruits, given the possibility swimming may be cut. He would not comment on camera Wednesday.

“I want to see this team survive because it's a team I love and I came here for a reason. They're my family and I don't want to see it go away,” Bull said.