Dear President McDavis and Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt,
We wanted to write you to express our displeasure upon receiving the news that four sports teams had been eliminated ' without public, student or ALUMNI input.
While most of us understand that economic times are tough for the university and the athletic department, what we do not understand is why every effort was not made to keep these four athletic programs before cutting them. We know that a committee was put together to study the issue and make recommendations, but we don't feel that was enough. What other options did they consider?
Why was this crisis and potential course of action not announced to the students and alumni?
This university raised $200 million dollars from supporters during the Third Century Campaign. A new athletic support effort was made this year with the Bobcat Club that raised $400,000. We can raise more.
Why was there not a year-long campaign to raise the $4 million dollars that the athletic department is in debt? Why not a call for support to keep these four programs?
You have asked the students and alumni to pitch in to help raise money and pay for all kinds of projects in the past (Ping Center), and currently with the new Baker Center.
Why not ask one of them (Matt Lauer, Peter King, Mike Schmidt, Dave Zastudil, etc.) to be the spokesperson to help raise money to keep these teams and help the athletic department out of their hole?
Many of our well-known alumni are solid supporters of Ohio. Surely one of them would agree to lend their name and time to this effort.
Why not ask the alumni (and students) for ideas on ways to help with this problem?
We have a nationally respected sports administration program, business majors, finance majors, economics majors and public relations majors. Could one of them come up with an idea that the members of the committee did not think of? We think they could!
Why not ask the alumni of these programs to donate to keep their teams?
While we regret the decision to eliminate the teams, we regret even more the manner in which it was handled. The alumni of this university have given and given a lot to support our school. In comparison to other schools and alumni, we have found Ohio alumni very loyal and committed to the school. The alumni of this school want to give back to their alma mater and do so frequently. If you ask alumni to help and give them the reason why and how it will help Ohio, we won't just jump, but we will ask how high? All we ask is that we are included in the discussion.
We attended Ohio and graduated from Ohio. We are Ohio! The student athletes that are losing their teams are our little brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, and future fellow alumni. We desire nothing but the best for OUr University and for them.
These cuts eliminate ways that students can get involved on campus, and reasons why students would attend Ohio. We would ask you to reconsider your decision to eliminate these teams until all efforts to keep them have been made.
The Nation's Capital Alumni Network, Robert Walter, president
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Letter to the Editor
