Well I've always had the impression that parents plan for their children to attend college at an early age. Tuition is going sky high and sports are an avenue where kids can go for free.

Basketball for white kids? Low odds for a scholarship
Football? Depends on how big your kid is. Most kids are pussies nowadays.
Soccer? Depends on where the kid lives. Most local programs are horrendous.
etc. etc.

Swimming is a hot sport for middle-class whites. Most coaches are former collegiate swimmers and they make a decent living due to swimming being a year round sport (10 months at least). A swim coach can double dip, U.S.S., High School.

The time standards make it easier to foresee the future and potential for an athletic scholarship.

15 years ago the parents, for the most part, were laid back at U.S.S meets. It was a vacation atmosphere...even the state meet. Today? It's madness. Parents are pushing these kids to succeed and coaches have to deal with both the adult and child during the meet. It's crazy.

But to a middle-class family with 4 children...how are they going to pay for their kids to get through college?