Witt was not the first sports hero to raise questions in the last few days about the future of the elite program.

"We showed people this is one of the elite programs in the country."

Simley is now regarded as an elite program on the national wrestling circuit.

Penske runs an elite program in Nascar as well.

We're one of the elite programs in the country, and if you don't think so, you don't know basketball.

We're going to remain one of the elite programs in the country.

Starz is an elite program created to provide additional instruction and competition to select players.

Of the elite programs in the tournament's history, only North Carolina is missing.

Federal funding ended in 1981, redirected towards elite programs.

But that could change if Government support for elite programs is altered.