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Questions and Comments We've Received

April 27, 2003

As a 1949 graduate of Tulane and a supporter of their athletic program, I oppose Tulane becoming a division 111 school. Just when our athletic program is doing better with wins and losses, a faction that has always opposed athletics at the university is doing their best to kill the program. Our football team had a successful season going to a bowl game in Hawaii and winning. Our baseball team is doing well and other sports seem to be doing well so this is no time to make any changes.I have supported the athletic program and the university for over 50 years but my support will vanish if this faction at the university is responsible for dismantling the athletic program and that is what will happen with a change to division 111. I helped recruit a top notch football player from Houston who was sought after by almost 100 colleges. What will become of these type individuals who were promised a full education and a division one program. I will not offer any financial assistance to Tulane if this change is made since I will feel that Tulane is commiting financial suicide and letting down people who have supported the athletic program and other programs. I am sure that Tulane will find a lessening of financial support if any foolhardy changes are made. We are starting to make progress in the athletic programs and now is not the time to make any changes. I am a member of the emeritrus club and hope that the ad-hoc committee will make the right decision . Lets concentrate on continuing the winning tradition that was started last year and the attendance at football and basketball games will take care of itself. When I was at Tulane we had a large band and they put on a halftime program which helped the attendance which was considerable. Rather than looking for ways to download the program, lets concentrate on ways to cure the problem without downloading.

*****

Dear Dr. Cowen;

Tulane athletics must remain in Division I. The very heart of Tulane and its recognition with 99% of the people in the United States is by association with its athletic programs. Although we are proud to be alumni, Tulane's name recognition will become extinct and so will the university itself, as have other prominent academic institution (that discontinued or de-graded their athletics programs), without Tulane's continued contact with the world outside of academia, via its athletic programs in Division I. Without Division I athletics, Tulane will eventually find itself in the same situation as its neighbor, Loyola University (i.e. is that in Chicago or California, and who cares because no one outside of New Orleans really wants to go there). Tulane University is not in New York or California, where it could possibly survive without its largest marketing asset (its athletics). The social-cultural atmosphere of New Orleans, and its makeup of minority groups needs and requires quality athletics to market Tulane in this country and around the world. My support of Tulane in the past was contingent upon continued Division I athletics, and it will remain that way in the future. When I tell someone in another state that I graduated from Tulane University, they know all about Tulane, and most tell you they know this because of basketball, baseball, football, etc. and the interest that their sons, daughters, family, have in attending a quality university with competitive athletic programs. People want to be part of something, and athletics gives them that opportunity. That is why I went to Tulane, and that is why my wife and daughter when to Tulane. And that is why I am hoping that my grandchildren will attend Tulane. Division I athletics makes Tulane something special. Do not take that away.

*****

In the late 1950's, my father brought me to my first Tulane athletic event, a Tulane football game. The memory that sticks in my mind is that of Tommy Mason running up and down the field, and Tulane winning the game. From that day forward, I became a Tulane fan.

Of course, being a fan at that time and during the early 1960's, was very hard since times were somewhat tough for the football team. Compounding this, my home was about fifteen miles south of Baton Rouge, and almost everyone around me and in school were LSU fans. It would have been very easy to change teams and go with the current "winner", but I stayed the course.

I loved hearing my father tell me stories of the "Glory Days" of Tulane football. My father didn't have many hobbies because he worked seven days a week; however, he would try to make time for Tulane football. We enjoyed our Saturday night trips to old Tulane Stadium. When Tulane was on the road, we would sit by the radio and listen to every play.

Like most young boys who played football, I dreamed of one day playing for Tulane when I finished high school. Unfortunately, things didn't work out, but my love for Tulane football continued. Not only did it continue, but my father and I began to attend other sporting events, mainly basketball and baseball. We even had season tickets to all three. Not bad for a couple of people who did not attend Tulane.

Over the years, Tulane University has had several studies and made various changes to face of its athletic teams. In my opinion, a couple of the more questionable moves were the de-emphasizing of the football program in the early 1950's and leaving the Southeastern Conference in the mid 1960's. It appears that Tulane is at another "cross-roads" in its athletic history.

My request to you is not to take another step backwards. Tulane is an important institution in the United States. Its contributions can not be measured, both on and off the athletic fields. I realize that there are many problems with NCAA Athletics; however, do not retreat. Be a leader and move forward. Be an example of what is "Right", and show the rest of America "How to do it." Tulane athletics "must" remain a Division 1-A School in football and Division 1 for all other sports.

I'm proud to be a Tulane fan and wear the olive and blue. I hope someday to see Tulane back in the Southeastern Conference and challenging for national titles.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to express my feelings about this study. Kindly contact me if you have any questions.

As a long time tulane fan all my life i believe that is very important to keep tulane athletics at division 1 level. if not you would lose the fan base we already have. i am considering not supporting greenwave ahlectics any longer. i will switch over my loyalites to LSU. thanks for your time.

*****

I favor Tulane moving from Division 1 to Division 3 status in football and basketball.

1. Athletes should also be good students. They should be representative of the student body. This is not true for Tulane's football and basketball teams. Tulane should not be a farm team for the NFL and NBA.

2. The Ivy League has the right idea: no athletic scholarships.

3. In the long run, Tulane can never effectively compete with LSU and other large colleges who put athletics ahead of academics.

4. If you remain in Division 1, you will need to build a new football stadium and basketball facility, probably near Uptown Square or Claibrone Ave.. That will cost money that Tulane doesn't have.

5. Most students attend Tulane for academics, not athletics.

6. Opponents of the change are Yats and uneducated sportswriters who need something to write about.

*****

Sir or Ma'am,

Please don't do anything to change the Athletic Division unless it is for the better. I attend almost every home Tulane Baseball games. I try to attend as many Football games as I can but due to work schedule I don't get to attend all of them. I would love to see the Football team grow to the point where we could have the attendance of a Tennessee or a LSU but I don't think that would be accomplished if you take a step backwards like changing from our present status.

I would be willing to attend any rally or drive to maintain or better the status of Tulane Athletics. Thank you for your consideration.

*****

Dear Board Members:

I am writing as a former student at Tulane in the early 1970s and a long time sports fan of The Green Wave since I was 11 years old. Don't allow short-term financial fears and the wishes of some faculty members who sneer at athletes as idiots and worse to kill what has been over 100 years of Tulane athletics.

Tulane sports has always played the role of underdog and with surprising frequency has jumped up to smite perceived superior foes. I am afraid that right now Tulane fans such as I (who vote with our hearts as well as our pocketbooks) will have to smite a superior foe (those who would kill Div. I athletics at Tulane). Hopefully, the arguments that follow will lend a hand in keeping Div. 1 sports on Willow St.

1. Sports is one way that Tulane opens its doors to a diverse culturally and ethnically student body. Football and basketball players include a sizable percentage of African-American men (and in the case of hoops, women). Graduation rates among this population are stunningly high, while many other universities use and abuse the African-American and turn in 0 percent graduation rates.

2. Sports is Tulane's open door to the New Orleans community and the world. Games broadcast on the Internet, via ESPN, ESPN2, Cox Sports Channel, and other outlets serve as advertising to the nation.

3. Doing away with sports or damning it to insignificance at the Div. III or Div. 1-AA levels would be akin to isolationism on the part of a Tulane Univ. that needs more than ever to reach out and make itself meaningful to New Orleans, Louisiana and the Deep South.

4. Tulane has been running its sports programs in an idealistic and exemplary way compared to much of the nation's schools, many of whom wink at classroom studies as secondary to the sports machine. At Tulane, academics is king...; one recent example: Tulane baseball player Wes Swackhamer flew home from a road trip to St. Louis a day early this weekend to take a finance exam on Sunday. No complaint here. He hit a home run before he left and probably got an "A" in finance when he returned home.

5. In closing, if The Tulane Board shows faith in its athletes and in the philosophy that sports on campus can help prepare well-rounded individuals for the real world and give all students a well-rounded university experience, then I believe fans like myself will step up to the plate financially and increase financial giving at this 11th hour for something they hold near and dear. Both Tulane sports and Tulane academics will benefit financially, I feel, by the board going the extra mile at this stage and not pulling the plug on a sports program that has done the university proud in so many ways.

I hope we can count on your support when the board meets.

*****

I believe that the present athletic administration staff has the financial focus and acumen to continue to move forward and right the financial difficulties.

I suggest that the legal genius of the university investigate a class action law suit against the BCS. From my uneducated perspective , I question the propriety of a limited number of schools participating in such a hugh payoff. Why was Tulane excluded in 1998 , if not for any reason other than limited participation?

*****

As a long time fan of ALL Green Wave sports, I encourage the fact finders to continue to let Tulane stay within the realm of Div.1 atheletics at all levels and not to drop down. The Wave's recent success in all C-USA programs should merit this consideration and trust for the future! Sincerely,

*****

In another era, about 25-30 years ago, Tulane was beset by money problems, infrastructure problems, small endowment size, discord on campus and general student dissatisfaction as reflected by a low freshmen retention rate. I have to ask whether, in our time, we are seeing the same type of situation. The school president at the time held that financial problems were one thing but what was truly lacking was a sense of pride in the institution and genuine school spirit, a major part of which was intercollegiate athletics competition at the Division I level. Against the current of the then-conventional wisdom on campus he spoke repeatedly of a strong commitment to athletics, and not just of a commitment to athletics but a commitment to having strong teams, and in time saw his sentiments vindicated in success on the field as well as with school finances.

I am firmly convinced that strong vocal support for Division I athletics and a solid commitment in every way to having strong programs, especially including promoting Tulane teams and events to the public, from the administration is what's needed today rather than these vague statements that merely serve to create and build on uncertainty in the public eye.

Tulane has seemed to have had a continual tug-of-war between athletics programs and their supporters and others on campus who have seemed to wish for the elimination of athletics programs. As a result, Tulane is today hardly in a position to say that it has at least made a solid effort to pour energy and resources into athletics before deciding to 'throw in the towel.'

As former school presidents have learned, the benefits of intercollegiate athletics go far beyond mere dollar revenues. The exposure and the goodwill accrued from Tulane playing a football bowl game is something for which there cannot be a price set. The school spirit and feeling of togetherness that was present at the homecoming game was immeasurable. At this current time, perhaps now more than ever, Tulane desperately needs such assets. Tulane needs to help itself in this community, Tulane needs to help itself in the eyes of students and Tulane needs to help itself in the eyes of alumni. Elimination of the high-profile intercollegiate athletics programs will not make those tasks any easier.

*****

Not only would I hate to see Tulane drop out of division one, we , as a family, will not longer support Tulane in any way. The sports make the school more well rounded and has a large appeal to many people. Go Wave forever!

*****

The display of disrespect and disregard that Tulane University is showing towards our athletic department is simply shameful. The effort that these young men and women devote to this school is unrivaled and it is an absolute insult that the school would even think to take away their division I-A status. As an avid patron I can assure you that if the school decides to revoke our division I-A status, not only will the majority of our fan base be less inclined to attend our sporting events but, furthermore, will never contribute a cent to this institution. I hope the committee seriously reconsiders this matter for it would be an utter disgrace for this school to denigrate our athletes in this manner.

*****

I am a graduate of Tulane and have supported this university since 1964. I support the university and TAF financially. I am against any change in divisions although and for years, I have been appalled by the pathetic fan support for athletics at the university. If this is a done deal, then have the guts to do it now as it is not right making the athletes wait to fiqure out what they will be doing with their playing career's. The same applies for the coaches, athletic director and the fans. I have just not seen competent decisions made by this school very often. Although I love this university, I would have great difficulty in sending another check. Again and if the schools drops divisions, get rid of competitive athletics entirely.

*****

You have struggled over the years to maintain a succesful athletic program under some tought circumstances . I think you should be proud of all of your accomplishments. Not everyone can battle for the national championship in football every year, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't play. Your teams are competative and represent you and all other Tulane fans well . Keep up the good work , and keep it up in division one.

*****

To the Tulane Athletic Review Board Members,

"All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy". The reason we send our children to college is to have them exposed to different people and elements of life that aren't available in the households in which they were raised.

Tulane was chosen as our son's college because it provides exposure to, first and foremost, an excellent academic environment that is supported by strong athletics, superior arts and sciences, religious diversity and an international student population. I believe that all these elements will help our son become a well rounded adult. A successful university strives for excellence in all of these areas. By reducing the importance of any of these components, i.e. dropping athletics to Division III, Tulane would not be fulfilling its promise of providing "an education that is immeasurably enriched by a unique mix of influences, perspectives and opportunities".

Without all of these elements in place I believe Tulane would begin to be excluded by potential students who are looking for a college experience that strives for excellence in all areas. It would made one wonder what other areas Tulane would accept less than excellence? I am strongly in support of keeping Tulane's Division I athletic program.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

*****

Dear President Cowen:

I firmly believe that I would not be sending this email to you if one of your predecessors, Dr. Herbert Longenecker, had not made the catastrophic decision in the early 1960's to take Tulane Athletics out of the S.E.C. I urge you to learn from Dr. Longenecker's mistake and not become the most notorious president in the history of the university.

I understand that Tulane's foremost mission is to continue to be an outstanding academic and research institution. Be that as it may, I also believe that Tulane can succeed in its mission and continue to participate in Division 1 Athletics. Like any business that is losing money, I know that Tulane has to make the necessary changes and corrections in order to stop the athletic department from operating in the "red". The necessary changes and corrections do not, in my opinion, include dropping the athletics into Division 3 which I believe would mark the "death knell" of Tulane Athletics.

Please feel free to contact me in order to discuss this very important and historic issue at your convenience.

*****

To whom it may concern,

As a parent of a Tulane student athlete, I've had the unique experience of reviewing other top academic D1 schools who offered my son a scholarship. The University of Virginia, Wake Forrest, and Vanderbilt were among the schools we had an opportunity to visit and review their academic and athletic programs. My son and I also looked into some large schools including USF, Indiana, and the University of Florida. When it was time for him to make a commitment, he felt that Tulane was the best program for him. He was impressed with the quality of the coaching staff, the overall athletic program and the opportunity to play at a D1 level program with such a strong academic curriculum and tradition. He also was excited about the quality of the business school and was pleased about attending a smaller campus with students who had similar academic goals. I was impressed with the graduation rate of Tulane's athletes and the school's academic reputation. Overall, I felt that Tulane compared very favorably with the above mentioned schools.

Tulane fulfills a niche as a top university that provides their student- athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level. However, without a top notch athletic program Tulane risks loosing much, if not all, of the name recognition and reputation it has developed. And more importantly, it will fail to attract fine young women and men who play an important role in providing the well rounded student population that other great universities cultivate.

The Tulane board should be working toward developing a plan to insure the success of athletics at the university rather than reducing their role. Other great universities have succeeded in balancing academics with a major athletic program and Tulane should too.

*****

I attended Tulane from 1989 to 1993. If Tulane were not Division 1A, I would not have even considered getting an education at Tulane, and I think alot of other prospective students would fill the same way. I do no live in NO anymore, but I follow the teams on the internet and attend games when I can. The teams have proven they can compete at that level. In my opinion, it would be a HUGE mistake to move from Division 1A.

*****

Dear President Cowen,

I received an e-mail today from some Tulane students saying that Tulane was considering the idea of dropping from Division I to Division III sports. First of all, I would hope that the e-mail I received was wrong, but as I am a Tulane student studying abroad, I am going to take for granted that my fellow students are on top of what is going on at the University. Tulane students take pride in the fact that we are a Division I school, and it is crucial to student spirit. I am an avid Tulane sports fan. I have had the opportunity to meet you and talk to you on multiple occasions, though the most memorable one was at the NCAA Baseball College World Series. The summer we went to the College World Series, I flew from Oregon to Nebraska just to support Tulane´s baseball team. I know that I am not the only one who feels so strongly about Tulane sports, but this is one example of a dedicated fan. I am very troubled by the fact that the idea is even being entertained of dropping us to Division III, whatever the reasoning maybe. I have always seen you as a president who wants to do what is in the best interest of the Tulane students and not a "typical" president who just bends one way or another due to financial benefits. I cannot predict exactly what will happen if Tulane drops from Division I to Division III, but I can tell you that I wouldn´t have come to Tulane if it weren´t Division I. One thing that we must not forget is that by being a Division I school in sports, we show that we have an astounding equilibrium at Tulane, which sets us apart from many other high-powered academic schools. We are a high-powered academic school and a high-powered athletic school; this is something Tulane students are proud of! You must not let us down. Tulane students are counting on you, President Cowen. I have confidence in you that you will do the best thing for Tulane students; you will keep Tulane University in Division I for all sports!

*****

As a Southern Miss fan who loves to hate the Green Wave, I encourage you to maintain your status as a 1-A program. C-USA is steadily improving and developing rivalries and all Southern Miss fans want Tulane to remain a part of that exciting process.

*****

THE VIEW FROM LAFAYETTE -

As a loyal alumnus I can appreciate the financial strain athletics can put upon the university's budget.This not to be taken lightly; however, I believe there are other considerations which should be addressed.

In this part of the State, Tulane is largely ignored, except when a young person receives a scholarship to the University or (in my profession) when a seriously ill person seeks medical care in New Orleans. Even that does not occur as frequently as referrals to Texas institutions. Why? I believe it is not that these institutions are superior to ours, but rather that our local medical community and the local population never even thinks of Tulane other than in a minority of instances. We are rarely in the news here. We are almost a non entity.

For the last few years Dr. Cowen has talked about emphasizing Tulane to Louisiana students, and attempting to increase our student enrollment from the State. If the people of this area never even hear of Tulane, how can they be expected to even consider us to educate their children?

I believe a drastic change in our athletic programs would be another reason to ignore us; we do occasionally receive local publicity when our teams are successful. To eliminate that would be just another step toward destroying Tulane awareness in Lafayette and throughout the state. Athletics, for all of the problems, do provide a link from the general population to the school. To destroy this might be catastrophic. "Out of sight, out of mind"- please do not permit that to happen.

*****

I am about to be a sophomore here at Tulane and in response to the rumored drop to D-3, it is totally unacceptable. I know for a fact that our Hawai'i Bowl victory gained us at least 4 more applications from my high school in San Francisco this year, no small feat since their graduating class will be only 71 students. This move seems to be 'cutting off our nose to spite our face', de-emphasizing is not possible here because you guys have not emphasized in the first place.  

There is no publicity for anything on campus and this is wholly ridiculous. Banners should be hung across McAlsiter Drive announcing the games for the week. Bring back a connection between the athletes and the student body. On Friday's before gamedays have Coach Scelfo and the players speak to the student body on the UC Quad or the Reily Quad due to the construction. This will give some link to the team which is difficult playing in the dome.  

The atmosphere at games is awful with very few exceptions. The Memphis game this year was awesome, everything else not so much. First task is to get a band, this can't be that difficult. Many local high schools have a band, why don't we? Secondly, TUPD or whoever is working the basketball games needs to relax or just leave. Sitting behind the hoop at the U. of South Florida game, the cops warned us to stop yelling at the other team or they would kick us out. It's a college basketball game not a dance recital, when fans show up encourage them to make noise no matter what. Either cheer for us or even heckle the other team. It will all help.  

It seems as if football is doomed to be in the dome at least for the forseeable future, so let's make the best of it. Stop scheduling cupcakes, Northwestern State should NOT be on our schedule, especially if we are paying them an appearance fee which I am guessing we are. There are 6 home games this year, let's play 5 at home and go to Baton Rouge and take our chances against the Tigers. Start scheduling tougher teams and the crowds will come in all sports. But most importantly...  

STOP TAKING THE BIG GAMES OFF CAMPUS!!!!!  

For example:  

University of Kentucky basketball game would have been rockin at Fogelman, much like the Memphis game was but instead it was quiet because there 8000 plus empty seats.  

Why don't we play LSU on campus at all this year in baseball? Why play at Zephyr Field? We have Turchin Stadium for a reason, dont we? Let's use it. Why is Tulane so giddy to move everything off campus, starting with the move to the Dome in the first place. I first heard of Tulane when they lost to Stanford in the College World Series in 2001, if we were in D-3 I would have never even applied here because schools like St. Mary's College don't get on TV. We take great pleasure in poking fun at Loyola at the beginning of every basketball season, this move will just allow them to poke fun at us. Do we really want to be less known nationally than UNO because we will in 20 years if this move happens. Heck, they already have a better arena. The answer to this is to move out of C-USA! The ACC is looking for teams and geographically it makes more sense for us than CUSA. Realistically, Syracuse and BC will not leave the Big East to go southbut Miami might, so why don't we try to be the second team in the ACC. If our basketball schedule featured Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, NC State among others every year, I think you'd see tents out on Freret to get tickets. Football would also get better as well. We already know our other teams can compete in a power conference already as evidenced by their national rankings. The future of college football has been laid out by the BCS, let's be a winner and not a loser. Let's grab some BCS money, we can do it. It's time to stop thinking AXA Liberty Bowl and start thinking Nokia Sugar Bowl again. In conclusion, I don't want to have to fill out college applications again but I will next year if I see a D-3 schedule on this campus. I think you'll find our already low retention rate hit all time lows if you make this move. But hey if that's the legacy you want to leave that's fine. ROLL WAVE.

*****

Division 1-AA, 2, or 3 is a terrible idea. Don't do it.

*****

Dear Board of Trustees,

I recently graduated from Tulane (May 2002) and I was highly disappointed to learn of the review the athletic department is undergoing. I am not only a concerned alumnae, I am also a product of Tulane's Athletic Department. I was a member of the 1998-99 Women's Soccer Program. I walked on and was given the opportunity to experience soccer at its most competitive level in collegiate sports, Division 1 competition.

I feel the university would be doing a huge injustice to the student-athletes, as well as the community and the prestige of the university by dropping the athletic conference to Division II. Tulane provided me with an option to attend a highly acclaimed academic university while also competing at a high level in athletic competition.The emphasis placed on academic achievement via the athletic department was tremendous. I feel the student-athletes at Tulane benefit from the academic environment they are exposed to in the classroom and among classmates. I believe that many athletes go to college to excel in their sport, and even though a good number of Tulane's athletes may not have thought of themselves as academics and "winners" in the classroom, the experience and confidence they take away from Tulane after graduation is incomparable to a majority of US Division 1 schools/programs. It should be noted that that fact is underscored by the statistic that ranks Tulane at the top for athletic programs with high graduation rates.

I truly hope that the Board reconsider pulling Tulane from the Division 1 forefront. We are an example to other university's of the potential student-athletes can realize if given the proper academic support. Further, the success the teams at Tulane have realized on the field should be commended and NOT reprimanded. The student-athletes go out everyday and train. They prepare themselves to compete mentally and physically. What a shame it would be to have to explain to a sophomore football player who just experienced winning the ConAgra Foods Bowl in Hawaii, something no one expected, not even the people at ESPN, that his program is dropping a level in competition for some petty, ridiculous political reason. That young man should have been warned before committing to Tulane that such an issue could jeopardize his Division 1 status. Or what about the women's basketball player who just months ago returned from a trip to the NCAA tournament, only to be crushed with the news that "her" university no longer sees the purpose in her program being respected at the Division 1 level. Shame on the person(s) at Tulane or otherwise who even raised this issue.

I might not be able to donate money to the athletic program yet because I am trying to create a promising future for myself; and I may not be able to attend a football game at the Superdome, even though I'd really like to because my boyfriend is on the team, but I can promise the Board one thing: students at Tulane are a special breed. We come to the university for a wide variety of reasons- some for academics, others athletics, others the Greek system, and even the vast majority who come to experience New Orleans. We come with more variety and demographic prowess than most other schools can even begin to brag about. Yet we all come to enjoy the same thing- the holistic college experience, which believe it or not, Division 1 athletics does play a part in.

I'd like to share two stories to demonstrate what Tulane athletics has done or meant for me. First, my freshman year at Tulane the football team made history and stomped every competitor in it's path to do the unexpected and make history by going 13-0 and taking home a Liberty Bowl title for Tulane. I remember walking down McAlister one night after getting a burrito at Bruff, and as I passed Bruff Quad I noticed on Phelps and Irby that huge student-made banners were hanging from the railings, all over and on both sides, that spoke words of encouragement and support to the Tulane athletes, coaches, administrators and fans who put Tulane football on the headlines with ESPN and in the gossip of every college football fan from Florida State to USC.

Second, I had the privilege of attending a Tulane recruitment fair in my hometown of Los Angeles recently and I had the pleasant surprise to see so many eager faces wanting to experience Tulane. When I went to this same presentation as a senior in high school I remember the room being filled with about 20 or so seniors with their parents. This time it was held in a ballroom filled with about 200 seniors! I was speaking to a parent and student who had questions about the university and what struck me was that this parent could wait for nothing more than to become a supporter of Tulane Baseball. He asked me if I knew the players, what were home games like on Friday nights, and if I went to the attendance-record breaking game against LSU. I was thrilled to hear that incoming students and their families were already taking an interest not only in the university, but the programs the university has to offer as well.

Please carefully consider the grave mistake the Board will make if electing to drop Tulane into the mediocre pool of Division II athletic contention. I think it would be such a shame to make such an important decision based on assumptions and skewed arguments. Tulane is not just a university. It becomes a home and a part of you for the four years you attend or the lifetime you choose to stay. Either way, I am confident that Tulane's community would suffer a harsh blow by dropping into Division II and I believe the Board needs to realize that people, especially alumni care about the composition and the direction of the athletic program. I do not speak for anyone else but myself, although I am equally confident many Tulanians feel similar to myself in that we support Tulane's athletes, coaches, administrators, staff, and reputation. ROLL WAVE ROLL into a bright, poised, and competitive future in the elite group of NCAA DIVISION ONE ATHLETIC COMPETITION!

Concerned and Frustrated in Los Angeles,

*****

I am aware that there will be a report in May regarding the continuation of D- 1 athletics in whole or in part. I am an alumnus and a former football player ( A&S '71). I gave always been proud of the fact that I had the opportunity to play competitive D-1 sports and at the same time to be educated at one of the best academic institutions in the South and the country. Student athletes are an integral part of a well-rounded university and I strongly feel that it should continue. I have contributed annually to the TAF and will continue to do so. I also contribute to the A&S fund. I could never have afforded the cost on an education at Tulane without the benefit of the athletic scholarship and I know how difficult the curriculum can be to student athletes who must put academics first to stay eligible. I also feel that this provides a greater opportunity for minorities and financially disadvantaged students which leads to a greater diversity. Thank you for your attention.

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