Questions and Comments We've Received April 29, 2003 As a former student, graduating in '96, I am familiar with the predicament that Tulane Athletics is in. Tulane is a smaller scale school in a big scale town. The University needs to make athletics accessible and fun for the students. On a Saturday night would you rather go out around campus or take an hour trolley ride to the Superdome? We need to understand that Tulane is a small school at heart. Bring football back to campus. Tulane University will never fill the Superdome. Just based on attendance Tulane will never fill the Superdome. We should stay Div. 1A, but shape our programs to the type of University we are. Look around the country and take examples from schools like Tulane who are successful in Div. 1A. ***** IT WOULD BE A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THOUSANDS OF LOYAL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS TO PLACE TULANE UNIVERSITY ON A SECOND CLASS ATHLETIC SCHOOL. BY DROPPING DOWN IN DIVISION. A DROP DOWN WILL MEAN THE DROP OUT OF LONG TIME SUPPORTERS SUCH AS MYSELF. I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH TULANE ATHLETICS SINCE CHILDHOOD. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN SEASON TICKETS GOING BACK TO THE THIRTIES. DO NOT PUT US IN A SECOND CLASS STATUS. CURRENTLY SERVING ON THE BOARD ON THE BOARD OF THE EMERITUS CLUB PS. REMEMBER THE MILLIONS RAISED BY THE GREEN WAVE CLUB OVER THE YEARS. ***** To whom it may concern, I don't know why I bother wasting my time on this, but here goes anyway. As a student of Tulane, and a one time big (BUT NO LONGER) supporter of Tulane Athletics, I have but one suggestion. Why doesn't this university just do what it has been wanting to do for 50-plus years now, and ELIMINATE the ENTIRE athletic program altogether? I still do not know why you keep them up and running. It seems to me, to be the only logical thing to do is to off them. My only guess if you did that, some major check books would close to the university for good, so you keep it just to satisfy them. These programs have been treading water for years, if you ask me. First off, due to so many years of neglect and what appears to be deliberate abuse, that the programs have received before Dr. Cowen's arrived here, it would take decades and plenty money to build it up to a respectable status. Tulane Athletics is a down right disgrace and is actually not even worth following. It is never going to build anything that resembles a REAL fan base within the New Orleans region or the state of Louisiana, due to the fact that this university continues to cater to the Northeastern "elitists" that come down here from Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey et al. These people do NOT share the same passion for their college teams that us from the Southeast region do. A prime example, look no further than right up the river in Baton Rouge. You would think a huge chasm separated these schools instead of 75 miles of swamp land and an interstate highway. It is like night and day. You can say and think what you want about the LSU fans and faithful. But, they have a passion unmatched anywhere for their school's teams and are rabid die hard fans. They continue to support them long after they have left LSU. You don't see anything that remotely resembles any sort of passion like that here. It does NOT help that we play football in that white elephant on Poydras Street, instead of a real stadium, at least near campus that is suitable and fitting for the college football atmosphere. I can tell you very few care to venture to the dome for a game. I refuse to go anymore. Our basketball teams play in a 70 year old broken down venue. For another thing, we play all our sports in a mediocre conference (C-USA), which is second rate at best. We are never going to attract top athletes here because Tulane has the reputation of not having one thing that passes for dedication to the programs, just years of being down trodden and excuses for utter failure. We are the launching pad for many a coach's careers. They have wisely "taken their ball and gone elsewhere" because they know the futility of staying here. I understand about the "academic" thing, but you would think by now that Tulane could find a way to be an "academic" school and still have success on the courts as well. It tells me one thing, as well as others, there is no real desire at Tulane for it to succeed. The community knows it, the students know it, potential prospects in athletics are well aware of it and wisely go elsewhere. ***** As a loyal Alum(A&S '84), I would strongly oppose a move to D-3 on personal and Institutional grounds. Some of my graetest memories as an undergrad were relishing our unlikely victories in Football and Basketball over LSU. When we beat LSU in the first round of the NIT the year Dale Brown dropped us from his schedule saying that we were unworthy opponents, a spontaneous cellebration gathered at the bell by the UC and then went to President Eamon's house. There were several hundreds of undergrads celebrating-Talk about school spirit! We beat LSU in football at Baton Rouge the final game of the season they were going to the Orange Bowl- we celebrated so loud that they turned the lights off in our end zone section. These are great college memories. Since Tulane has been playing Army, every year Tulane plays at West Point my family spends the weekend with my college roomates family, and we all go to the game- We look forward to that day for a long time. That we los! e to them is not the point- there are thousands of Tulane Alum fronm the Northeast that go to that game. And the game is not the point. I am looking at a framed picture of my daughter 9 at the time, and myself at the West Point game.She is wearing a Tulane hat and beaming from ear to ear. It is the community and the atmosphere that is the point. I doubt Tulane would be playing Southampton College (D3)any time in the future. And as a high school teacher who actively promotes Tulane to his students,(ask Scott Cowen he knows how much I do to shamelessly promote Tulane) D1 status matters. The Doug Flutie and Grant Hill effect notwithstanding, D1 creates an atmosphere. Lets not be another Swathmore. Lets be Tulane, loveable losers or not. Move the football games to city park- the Dome parking garage never made for tailgating. Keep hiring good coaches and build the program up. Don't destroy it. Don't take our memories away. ***** My wife and I are both active Tulane alums. I urge Dr. Cowen and the administration to strongly oppose, as we do, moving Tulane Athletics to Division III. If Tulane were to move to Division III, we would no longer support the University in any fashion. ***** I am greatly disappointed by the proposal to destroy Tulane athletics. What is most shocking is that this proposal comes at a time when Tulane is having its greatest athletic success in the last fifty years. I am a proud alumnus of the university and a huge fan of "our" athletic teams and the athletes that compete on them. I buy football season tickets even though I live in California. I plan my visits to New Orleans around football or baseball games. Athletics is my strongest bond to the university. If the university were to follow through with this disastrous proposal that would only bring scorn, ridicule and later disinterest to the university, that pride would be greatly diminished. I would be ashamed of the great university that gave me some of the best years I can remember. My diploma will still hang of the wall, but the memories, including great times with fellow Tulanians at events like the Liberty bowl and the College World Series, would only be sad reminders of great times that would be gone. I hate to say it, but if Tulane were to destroy the athletic department, I would cease to be that proud alum that wears his Tulane colors with pride. Tulane would simply be a small college in Louisiana where I got my degree, nothing more... ***** Dear President Cowen, I am the father of a current student. She had forwarded to me your email announcing a study of the future of Tulane athletics. I wanted you to know my view that Tulane should deemphasize athletics. It is increasingly difficult for Tulane to spend enormous resources to compete at Division I and to expect to be successful, while at the same time committing to increased academic excellence. I would prefer to see Tulane aim more for the Washington University or Emory model. My congratulations to you for doing such an excellent job as Tulane's President. With best wishes, ***** Dr. Cowen, I totally understand the fiscal constraints that are brought upon the university by the current athletic department model. After discussions with Rick Dickson and other members on the Tulane coaching staff at a recent TAF tour stop in Baton Rouge, I agree that we are currently in the right model. I interacted with the vast majority of the alumni at the function and 100% of the people I spoke with were in support of the current model. I fully support any decision you and the board decide upon because I think you, and they, are doing an excellent job. I just thought that it would be helpful to give you the Baton Rouge Club's feedback. Thank you and keep up the good work! ***** I grew up on Broadway very close to Tulane University and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1947. I began going to Tulane football, basketball, and baseball games when I was eight years old. I have very fond and sad memories regarding Tulane athletics. My three saddest memories are "TULANE DE-EMPHASIS ATHLETICS", "TULANE DROPS OUT OF THE SEC", and "TULANE STADIUM WILL BE DISMANTLED". These poor decisions made by out-of touch academia probably cost Tulane millions of dollars in donations and endowments to all schools.Yes, Tulane is a great educational institution. However, alumni indemnify through its athletics. If Tulane decides to drop down to division III-A, you will put the final nail in the coffin as far as financial support for all schools. If the claim that the University is losing 5M a year on athletics, then who or what is to blame. The real blame really lies with the decisions that were made in the past. It is time to quit playing the blame game, and do what is necessary to continue as a competitive I-A program. I would suggest that we implement a five (5) plan that would project raising the necessary revenues to keep a viable I-A program. I believe the following could help get us on the right track. 1. Schedule non conference games with teams that have big followings (Notre Dame, Florida, Texas, Georgia,Tennessee, etc.) Even if we get our butts kicked, it puts money in the till. I would rather lose to a great team than to Army. 2. Set up fund raising committees in all cities with alumni. Let them decide what would be the best way to raise money for the program. I will volunteer to head up Houma. 3. Make an all out effort to recruit Mayor Nagin to help in fund raising and ticket sales. Increased attendance helps New Orleans. 4. Find someone close to Mr. Benson. I feel sure he may become a big contributor. Remember, the Saints owe us big time for use of our stadium. The State helps the Saints so why no the Saints help Tunlane Athelics. 5. Make a one on one effort to get more corporate donors. 6. Reduce end zone season ticket prices to $5.00 adult and $2.50 Children. As the football program becomes more sucessful the prices can be incrementaly increased. WIN AND THEY WILL COME! 7. I will pledge $1,500/year only if we remain I-A Let's remain I-A for five more years, and show the doomsayers that we can be a successful I-A school and a great educational institution. ***** I strongly support Tulane remaing at its present level of sports competition. After all, we are talking about over a 100 years of history. Please do not reduce our history to that of D.H. Holmes and Krauss Company. ***** One of the reasons I chose to attend Tulane over Emory and Brandeis was because Tulane had Division 1-A athletics. I remember seeing the basketball team play on ESPN in Fogelman Arena, and knew that the other colleges I applied to would not give me an opportunity to participate in something like that. Let's not forget how great it was in 1997 when we went undefeated in football and got all that national television coverage. It's important to maintain Division 1 athletics, not only for the media exposure, but it instills in the student body and the alumni a sense of pride that Division II and III programs cannot. WE SHOULD DEFINITELY MAINTAIN OUR PROGRAM! Please feel free to contact me at any time to discuss this matter further. ***** To: the Board In my estimation a decision to "demote" the Tulane athletic program to division III status would be disastrous. This type of mandate would not only diminish interest in our athletic programs but also I believe in our academic ones. Tulane may have the same "feel' as an Amherst or Williams or any number of similar schools but as opposed to those institutions we have a rich tradition in 1-A athletics. I truly believe many prospective students ( like myself years ago) look at athletics and lifestyle as well as academics in making their school choice. As well, I believe the New Orleans community deserves and expects a prestigious university with a high caliber sports program. In fact, the athletic programs are to many in NOLA the only link with their Alma Mater. Perhaps that is only marginally important compared to a great university's various constituent agendas and competing financial responsibilities. So the least I can do is appeal on philosophical grounds. Division 1-A sports has become a voracious corporate animal characterized by aggressive marketing, questionable recruiting, rubber stamp diploma mills and over eager alumni "donations" to athletes. The development of a student's character and mind has been usurped by the concept of victory at all costs. Is the graduation rate of a university's athletes less important than national championships? In my mind ...No.. in fact, it is much more important to strive for the graduation of the student who happens to be a varsity athlete. Do I overstate my case? Can we survive in Division 1-A? Am I naive? Many years in the trenches of Wall Street would suggest otherwise. In that milieu, one understands that long term success is not just being pragmatic but also tough and principled enough to stand by what is right, fair and honest. ....You may not always win but your damn proud of it when you do....and that is ultimately respected by the clients and competition. I firmly believe we can keep the ideals of our university intact and continue to successfully face the challenges before us in of Division 1-A . If the trend in "big time " college sports is to further exploit student athletes for revenue then I say stand on principle...stand and fight this contemptible state of affairs. Why capitulate from the pressure of not being a BCS program when instead we can capitalize on our strengths...namely being a well regarded, nationally ranked liberal arts institution that is true to the ideal of the scholar./athlete...in Division 1-A. I know the board is faced w/primarily a fiscal issue and it usually easier to deal w/those type of problems by "downsizing' or eliminating the areas in "red". As is often the case in business this course often proves myopic. Rather, we should focus on the benefits intangible and otherwise to our university by remaining in the premiere division of the NCAA. Is our baseball team's first trip to Omaha or football team's resounding victory in Hawaii forgotten already.......How valuable was that "free" advertising? I cannot give you a dollar amount but I will submit it was worth it to the entire university. How many across the country listened as I did to the TV announcers in Omaha or Honolulu opine on Tulane's academic excellence or astounding graduation rate. Is this enough for the board to seek ways to support Tulane as a member of the C-USA? I say yes..it is an excellent start. Furthermore, I would submit that the questions the board has especially about football game attendance and consequent revenue shortfalls should not be answered by dropping/demoting football (a typical over reaction) but rather with an innovative way to change the venue like the very successful homecoming at City Park last year . Clearly, our Athletic Director has made great strides in balancing academics and sports while reinvigorating the mission of the athletic department. Dickson, the coaches and the staff should be rewarded and supported for their efforts. With the arrival of President Cowen, Tulane's future as an institution of higher learning has never looked better. This I believe gives us the unique opportunity to build on this favorable turn of events and become the exemplar to all universities in Division 1-A on what a proper athletic program is supposed to be. You may ask why is this guy all worked up? If Tulane is competitive and the athletic department is run properly then the board will draw fair conclusions...right? Well, maybe! Historically, weighty board decisions regarding the athletic program have been overboard and ruinous. Whether it was dropping Tulane from the SEC, moving football to the superdome or killing basketball for a generation. Each of these measures proved to be short sighted and/or onerous. Predictably, the results have been to erode alumni, student, community and fan support. Recently those trends have been arrested and in some cases improved, I trust this board will take that into account as well as the mistakes of their predecessors when reaching its conclusions. If the unthinkable happens and we are unable to ever again utter that most sacred of Tulane oaths-"BEAT LSU" -I'm sure we will survive... but we will do so w/a much diminished relationship w/our community and a crippled tradition...and that to me is even more unforgivable than playing football in the dome. Along these lines I'd like to add, regrettably, that my support for Tulane will cease if the board decides to alter my Alma Mater's future so dramatically and irreversibly. ***** I have been reading the various commentaries opposing the consideration of a shift in the athletic classification of Tulane University and would like to share my observations. Most of the arguments for maintaining the current status center around sports as a revenue source or as a marketing tool for the school. Upon reading the Mission Statement, I did not find anything about running a sports/entertainment business on the side as critical to fulfilling this mission. I further find it hard to believe that subsidizing a particular NCAA sports classification is the most effective use of monies earmarked for marketing the attributes of a university. The only purpose for school sports is to enhance the well rounded development of its students. The character building pursuit of victory with honor and sportsmanship should be the primary concerns of any sports program. Any entertainment or marketing considerations are irrelevant or a distant second, at best. If students or alumni want entertainment, there are plenty of professional sports teams playing locally and appearing constantly on television. If you simply want to have a beer and watch your fellow students compete, it should not make a difference in which NCAA Division the school happens to find itself. ***** As an alumnus (BA 1988), I believe that Tulane is a shining example of the elite private university. As an elite private university, we are able to offer quality programs and services for a wide range of disciplines. This should include a talented, competitive and national athletics program. However, no discipline can achieve national/worldwide renown without significant investment, strategic vision and effort by the university. The question is then: are we willing to invest the time, resources and efforts to pursue the building of a competitive and rigorous program (athletics or otherwise)? I do believe it is worth the investment for the obvious tangible and intangible benefits the university gains. Thank you. ***** I recently received an email regarding Tulane‚s exit from Division I athletics. When I was a student, I became more of a fan of my education and surroundings than the sports teams.Given my, and the historically sparse attendance at Tulane athletics games, I imagined that the bulk of the student body feels the same way. Sadly, it is also a fact that neither of the major teams plays on the campus anymore.Given that I was a busy student, going to a game was a huge chunk out of my day in which I would have rather done other things. I fully support Tulane scrapping their Division I teams.Knowing that my future alumni donations will not be going to athletics will lead me to make more generous contributions. ***** Dear Committee Members: As a parent of a Green Wave soccer player, I was very disturbed to learn of the chance that Tulane University might reduce the importance of athletics. My husband and I are both TCU graduates, and found that after graduation, we became avid supporters of the university due to the outreach of the athletic teams. We attend basketball, football and soccer games. We follow the teams in the paper, and we proudly wear our purple and white. We did not go back to the university to revisit the classrooms, or fondly reminisce about the seating the library, and we did not bring our children to the labs in the science buildings. So now we have a son at Baylor and a daughter at Tulane. Our son chose Baylor, in part to forge his own path, and saw that Baylor had a rich tradition of great athletic teams. Homecoming floats, and peanuts at the baseball field, posters at girl's volleyball games, and cheering the basketball team on, have made his tenure at Baylor very rich and exciting. So how did we find out about Tulane? A coach on the sidelines of our daughter's soccer game, with Tulane on her t-shirt was the first we had heard in a long time. Years ago, TCU had played Tulane in off season sports, we remembered that. It was not until we saw the coach did we begin investigating Tulane as an academic possibility. So now we proudly display bumper stickers, flags, hats, and t-shirts on a daily basis. There are hundreds of people who now know about Tulane University. When our daughter signed to play it was reported in the Dallas and Fort Worth papers, over the school district web site, the North Dallas Soccer web site and widely discussed by all our families and extened friends. We talk about our daughter and her soccer, but then we tell what a great academic reputation it has, and many who we have talked to, have expressed an interest in learning more. We attended this year's homecoming and parent's weekend activities. They were so much fun, and we enjoyed being a part of the festivities. Our daughter said for the first time, she felt school spirit. Instead of demoting athletics to less importance, more creative ways should be found to use athletics as an "advertisement" for a university with excellent athletics, and an amazing student culture. Without athletics, our daughter will have to move to another university. Primary to that decision is the cost of a Tulane education. Secondary to that, but very important, we would not have sent our daughter to a university without a Division I athletic program that she could support and be proud of. Our daughter is the kind of student any university would want. Hard working, balanced, with high moral and ethical standards. It is too bad that her future is up in the air. Looking at the reputation of Tulane athletics, both on the field and off, it is a shame that the university would be willing to give up that type of reputation and honor. We are asking that the committee return with an overwhelming show of support of the Tulane athletic programs. ***** I think the controversy over Tulane Athletics is ridiculous. Tulane's football team won the Hawaii bowl, the baseball team reached the College World Series, and the women's basketball team reached the NCAA tournament. The baseball matches against LSU draw the largest crowds in college baseball. Tulane's students are just as rigorous and intelligent in academic matters as other students. In fact, I recently attended an engineering awards ceremony where the captain of the women's soccer team, another women's soccer team player, and a member of the football team all received prestigious academic awards. As a local New Orleanian, I will be severely disappointed if Tulane drops its Division 1 athletics program. ***** rick i have been a tulane fan for nearley 13 years and i want the division to stay right where it should be and that division is 1A cause i love tulane and i want to keep on renewing my season ticket's every year and i hope tulane football is hear to stay ***** Moving to Division III would be the death knell for Tulane athletics and should not be seriously considered. I find it odd that Vanderbilt, Rice, and TCU have programs that are competitive and are either in smaller cities or one with more competition for the sports dollar. Winning and quality big name coaching brings fans. There is a reason Texas Tech hired Bob Knight. If a coaching staff cannot recruit top quality student-athletes to Tulane, they should not be retained. I realize money is an issue but it is far from the only issue. Alumni contribute when a plan is in place. ***** To Whom It May Concern, I recently read an e-mail regarding the future of the athletic program at Tulane University. Why not lower the level of competition? That is the argument that i would make in this situation. It's true that Tulane has long been known as an institution of higher learning, with little regard to athletics. Students attend Tulane for an education, not for athletics. The fact that Tulane was among the top 15 schools in terms of graduation rates shows how serious the school takes academics. Not every private institution can be as successful in athletics as say, a Stanford or a Southern Cal. There are plenty of schools rich in academics that do not compete at the Division 1-A level. The one sport that Tulane has been successful in recently is baseball. With the help and initial support of Skip Bertman, Rick Jones has almost brought the Tulane baseball program up to the same level as that of LSU. Tulane even made it to the College World Series in 2001, a great accomplishment as it was the first time in school history. Tulane would still be able to compete in baseball, regardless of the level of competition in football or basketball - the major revenue producing sports. Regarding football, the demotion would actually help other schools within the state. Wins over Tulane would count toward eligibility in regards to bowl games for those state schools that schedule the Green Wave. That sixth win could mean the difference between hundreds of thousands of dollars to the school as opposed to its split from the conference. In the past, Tulane has had to barter with LSU in order to play in the dome. At the same time, tickets had to be returned to LSU when playing in Tiger Stadium. With the football program playing in D-AA, there would be no reason to play LSU. There is no actual rivalry anymore, as rivalries are meant to be competitive. However, Southeastern Louisiana has started back up the football program. There lies a perfect chance to begin a traditional rivalry. On the positive side, Tulane will have the advantage, as the football program is intact and does not involve a complete building process. Besides helping Louisiana schools, Tulane's stepping down to D-AA would help other aspiring schools. Troy State, for example, could be helped greatly by Tulane leaving Conference USA in football and basketball. Currently, Troy State competes as an independent in D-A, playing the likes of traditional powerhouses Miami and Nebraska. Troy State's fans actually support the football team - complete with a marching band (even on road games). A membership in Conference USA would mean more to a Troy State than it would to Tulane. The reason - fan support. Let's face it, there is no doubt that Tulane is a respected school. Why not use that goodwill to help other schools - not only in the state, but in the Southeast as well - by lowering the athletic competition to D-AA? ***** To whom it may concern- I admit I'm not the most vocal, and certainly not the most active of alumni. Since graduating from Tulane in 1994, I make it a point to visit the school at least once a year, but the extent of my financial support can be measured in the dollars spent in the bookstore. However, after reading about the study being conducted on the removal of Division 1 athletics, I am now quite concerned about the direction that my beloved school is heading. And while I understand that these studies may be a matter of course, the mere fact that they are occurring means there is the slightest chance that this plan may be adopted. And that would be tragic. I never became an athlete at Tulane. However, I was recruited as one. And the lure of playing for a D1 tennis team was enough to bring me from Connecticut to Louisiana. It wasn't just the idea of playing for the school that made me commit to Tulane. It was the idea that years after graduation I would still have a connection with the school that went beyond a fading memory. Supporting the athletic teams (and yes, predominantly football, basketball, and baseball) affords myself (and a vast majority) of the alumni a mechanism to bond with one another on a different level. Only we can appreciate how quaint Fogleman really is, or how peaceful Turchin Stadium is on a lazy Tuesday afternoon. We didn't need 40,000 underclassman to be able to claim a domed football stadium, and while the games were either near empty or full of a rival school's supporters, that became part of the charm of the event. These memories don't fade, they only become enhanced by regularly being reminded by seeing our teams in the national media. It makes our school all the more unique that such a small population has such a prestigious athletic program. Tulane, and our accomplishments, are a known quantity. We are in the forefront of national consciousness BECAUSE of our athletic programs. They keep the alumni involved and the student-body proud. Academic acheivements and techological advances aside, this is a nation that loves its sports. They drive us. Whether it be the Final Four, the College World Series, or the NCAA track relays, there is a sense of pride in seeing what Tulane can do. The pride doesn't come from winning, it comes from knowing that we have the ABILITY to compete. And that is what separates us from the Rhodes and Emory Colleges of the world, and puts us in the company of the Northwesterns and Vanderbilts. We succeed in the mere fact that we play. I understand that the athletic program must be a tremendous strain on the economic structure of the school. But surely a restructuring of the program is a better choice than to completely downgrade it? Perhaps the removal of the football program would allow the school to remain a D1 member? Granted, this is not the ideal choice, but it might provide some financial relief to the program and it is not unprecedented in our conference. Unfortunately, to remove the football program would be to remove Tulane's national face, but to drop the entire athletic program would be removing it's soul. ***** I endorse Tulane continuing its sports programs at their present NCAA classification. All of the news about Division III has given me pause to reflect that I have not been to as many events as I should have attended. Be assured, if we stay at Division 1-A, I'll be in attendance, especially for football. ***** I am an alumnus and supporter of Tulane Athletics and Tulane University. This afternoon I renewed my football season tickets and doubled my TAF donation versus last year. If you guys take Tulane out of D1A, the monies I donated today will be the last penny Tulane will ever see from me. ***** I don't question the athletic success of the teams and individuals. I congratulate all on their academic success. And I realize that athletics can have a positive impact on university life. Like any other club (think of the greek organizations), there are good years and bad years, honor students and drop outs, positive contributions and disgraceful moments. However, athletics are unlike other organizations that are either self funding, directly beneficial to the wider student body, or require only incidental funding. They are a distraction from the primary purpose of the university, which is to educate. My stance is simple -- abolish varsity athletics or rethink it so that it requires a less significant commitment of university officals' time university resources. Every dollar donated by an alum to the football team is another dollar not donated to endow a chair or repair a dorm. Every appearance by university officials at a pep rally represents less time spent on university diversity and recruitment of talented staff and studnets. And every scholarship granted to an athlete-student is one less scholarship granted to a gifted but underprivileged student-athlete. The distinction that I'm drawing is not between athletes and studnets. It's between athlete-students and studeent-athletes. Of course we should have club sports and division II or III intercollegiete teams even. But why should we fund semi-pro sports teams? It's roughly analagous to turning the english department into a publishing house or the music department into a recording studio. The efforts may be successful, they may even be profitable. But if they are, then spin them out and retain some of the profits. We should not be in the business of varsity sports -- it's not good core to our mission, it's not key to our success, and in the long term it distract Tulane from being a great university. ***** With so little information posted as to the reason why Tulane would remove itself from Division 1-A, I have to ask why this is even being considered? Our teams have consistently performed well and been a source of pride to students and alumni. It would be a terrible blow to the student and alumni community. Tulane should be proud of its athletes and allow the to compete with the best of them - we should not settle for anything else. ***** Dear Athletics Study Committee: As an alumnus (ARCH 65) I am strongly opposed to a reclassification out of Division 1A for Tulane athletics. I have been, and will continue to be a supporter of TU men's and women's basketball, football, and baseball. My wife and I have often purchased individual event and package tickets for all of these sports, and would like to continue to do so. I will commit to purchasing football season tickets pending TU's decision to continue the University's participation in Division 1A athletics. Further, I will increase my support of TU baseball (from attendance at all night games) to two full season tickets if the anticipated new stadium (with covered seating) becomes a reality. ***** I will be an incoming freshman in the fall of 2003. I recently heard the news regarding the consideration of dropping Tulane Athletics down to Division III, and I am writing this letter to petition against such an action. I am a student athlete myself, and although I would not be playing on a Tulane athletic team, I understand completely the importance of athletics and their reputation in college life. I have always used athletics as an outlet from the stresses of academics, and part of my decision to attend Tulane centered around its reputable Division 1 athletics program. I can only speak for myself by saying that if Tulane were to drop the program down to Division III, I would be extremely upset at the loss of Division 1 status. However, I firmly believe that Tulane will only hurt itself in the future, because people similar to me (successful student-athletes) might select other reputable universities with D-1 programs over Tulane. If Tulane athletic teams were unsuccessful, I could see a point in such a move. Yet the fact remains that Tulane athletic teams are both highly competitive and successful year in and year out. The problem lies not in Division 1 status, but elsewhere. Thank you for your time and for reading my opinion, and I sincerely hope that Tulane University does not make a grievous mistake by dropping athletics to Division III. Respectfully, ***** Athletics is Tulane's biggest marketing asset. Ask yourself, who will be the Tulane students of tomorrow? Surely, the academia does not possess the children in the numbers needed to fill the Tulane student body, and many cannot afford to send their children to Tulane (i.e., Tulane provides free Tuition for the children of their professors, and many professors need that assistance to be able to afford a Tulane education for their children). As you know, the Tulane student body comes from those of us that have been successful in business and can afford to send our children to the Tulanes, Stanfords, and Yales (and that tuition helps pay for the tuition of children of Tulane professors and in some cases, scholarships for other students). Our children grew up enjoying sports and sports competition. In fact, many high schools require some sort of sport participation in order to graduate. Most students seek this balance in chosing a university to attend. Division I competition helps Tulane maintain this balance, and keeps the interest of those that are bright enough to be able to attend Tulane, but outgoing enough to want something more to be part of their education and lives. These persons are usually the business leaders of tomorrow, and the source of Tulane's future student bodies. Without these individuals, there would be no Tulane endowment, and there would be no real hope of major funding of future Tulane endowments. Money does not grow on trees. Wealth is created by the business person. College Professors are not self funding, revenue generating assets (at least, not in any amounts required to maintain and run a major university like Tulane). Tulane needs a major athletic program to keep those with the means (or those that will, through business ventures, obtain the means) to make endowments willing to do so because they or their family establishes a bond with the school that transcend mere education. Athletics programs create bonds with universities that last as long as the athletics continues, its like a family unity that last a life time. An education last for four or eight years, but association with the university through their athletic programs is something people keep and have for life. When the next LLBean, or Yahoo owner, or McWilliams, graduates from Tulane, it will be the athletic programs that keeps Tulane in his/her heart and on his/her mind, and with respectible athletic programs, he or she will be alot more willing to give Tulane those endownment funds. ***** I went to my first Tulane football game in 1940. I lived on the corner of Audubon & Willow Sts. in the shadow of the old Tulane Stadium. It was only natural that I became a hugh Tulane fan and remain so to this day. I have season tickets for football, basetball,(men and women) and baseball plus go to many other games such as vollyball and soccor. Last night I attended the Varsity Ball which gave honor to a great bunch of STUDENT athletes. Tulane is not just an outstanding university , it is also a place in time to me. Growing up, the campus was my playground. It was an easy walk to the gym from my house and I missed very few games. What I am trying to say that the prospect of dropping out of division I is very dismaying to me. I think that it would be a hugh mistake just as dropping out of the SEC has proven to be. What ever dollar amounts might be saved, more that that would be lost in financial support from me and thousands of others like me. I also think that the acadamic values would also suffer. I urge you to give this matter your most careful consideration and vote for the statue quo. ***** To Be or Not to Be Division I? The long term goals of the University are important. Achieving a national status requires the completion of a plan that is realistic and putting in place those actions necessary to successfully implement the plan. Basically, this boils down to two fundamental areas in the world of academics. First, provide an outstanding educational opportunity in a variety of disciplines (the product). Next, attract the appropriate level of students in sufficient numbers to fully utilize the available opportunities (the customer). Pretty simple at a macro level. My thoughts are simply meant to illustrate the importance of athletic opportunities and its impact with a factual example. My daughter wants to be a doctor. My daughter wants to compete in Div. I athletics. My financial picture limits my ability to independently provide these opportunities. Thus, in the college selection process, let's break it into three components. 1) Educational opportunities: Tulane's reputation and programs are fine. Anyone's academic and educational goals can be achieved by a serious student. Would I like Tulane to be better? Yes. In reading the discussions regarding the US News rankings, I would simply like to point out that raising the "peer assessment" from 3.5 to the 4.1 to 4.5 range would go a long way in this regard. 2) Athletic opportunities: The Tulane athletic level of participation in Division I is such that an athlete can achieve goals. Resources have been made available that allows one to compete at the highest collegiate level. Would I like them to be better? Of course, yes, but at what cost? Certainly not cutting the educational opportunities. 3) Financial impact: Tulane has been able to provide combinations of athletic, academic, and aid in order to fill the "gaps". Thus, Tulane fit the bill from my daughter's perspective. So, she is looking forward to attending in the fall. How would this be different if Tulane dropped to Division III. A change to Division III or II changes the competition in all areas. Head to head competition on an academic basis would carry much more weight. Realistically, competing in Division I allows participants, students and alumni to identify with the school. Actually, Tulane may actually suffer in attracting and retaining the students (customers) that are needed. Participation in Division I is a "plus", adding value to the institution. I love the focus on improving. My preference would be to focus on "improving" the Educational opportunities, moving into the top 10 or top 20 AND retaining Division I athletics. ***** I think this is a bad idea. Not only are athletics one of the few ways for alumni to keep in contact with the University, it also helps attract attention for the University for potential students. College athletics, while probably not important to the overall mission of a university, does create a sense of community. When I was a student at Tulane, athletics were an integral part of the college experience. I don't know why attendance at all events has slipped so much since I was a student, but I can imagine it has something to do with leaving the SEC, having off campus facilities and having no natural rivalries. It has always mystified me why a conference has not been formed which has as its members the better private and public academic institutions who want to be participants in major college athletics while still maintaining their academic integrity. This will allow the participants to compete on equal footing and if the proper guidelines are established, maintain academic standards while still being competitive on a national basis. By simply moving to DIII, costs may be saved, but the connection with alumni will be severed. I think a better solution would be to make the programs competitive, maintain academic standards, make the venues more attractive and accessible to the students and market the programs better. A few winning seasons in all sports will build momentum and increase attendance and lower the expense of major programs. ***** If the question is Athletics vs. Academics, I hope you choose Academics. Tulane has never been known as a sports powerhouse and I would prefer that people choose to go to the school for its Academic ranking, not the top ten standing. Ask yourself how many people choose to go to Harvard, Yale, or Rice due to the football team? ***** Weighing In On The Issue Of Athletics - One must remember that while the primary goal of a university is to educate its students, the broader objectives of being a good citizen in the community and creating a diverse and multi-displinary environment for everybody cannot be met by academics alone. A well-rounded university, just like a well-rounded student, must mix work with pleasure and athletics with acedemics. The higher the level of each the better. Keep Division I-A Athletic at Tulane University! ***** What great timing! This is the first academic year at Tulane that I can remember when the four major sports (football, basketball (men and ladies), and baseball) will ALL wind up with winning seasons. Thank you, board ("bored" would be more like it), for just destroying all that momentum with the negative publicity that you have generated with this "future of the athletic dept." evaluation, or whatever you wish to call it. Your timing STINKS!! This athletic dept. has made great strides in the last ten or so years. We survived the basketball point-shaving debacle of the 1980's (and the shoe-box payments to you-know-who). We survived the football years of 1982-1996 (no winning seasons) by posting four winning seasons in the last six years (including two bowl championships, and an UNDEFEATED season). Our baseball team under Rick Jones continues its consistent winning ways and making appearances into post-season play, and our ladies basketball team under Lisa Stockton become a consistent winner and champion as well. This athletic program now has many good years of being an important member of Conference USA, THE model sports league of expansion and improvement in this country. Every time one of our teams competes in an NCAA post-season game or tournament, positive publicity is generated for the WHOLE UNIVERSITY, not just sports. As I said at the beginning, what great timing! Just when Tulane reaches a point of separating itself from mediocrity, you people have to bring this up! If any of you on the board possess bachelor's and/or advanced university degrees, then there is one thing that is clear to me about you - you have all demonstrated that you are educated beyond your intelligence. ***** Feedback on Athletics at Tulane. At the Naval Academy we used to have a parody of an Army fight song. It went "We don't play Notre Dame, we don't play Tulane, we just play Davidson because that's the fearless Army way." All kidding aside, I know it is tough staying in Division I and staying competitive as a real academic institution. Duke faces it in every sport but basketball, Navy faces it in almost every major sport, Stanford does pretty well and Vanderbilt struggles. The Ivy League (Div 1 AA) struggles but they all cope. One of the ways that they cope is by expanding the athletic programs. This might sound counter intuitive but I think it works. They make intercollegiate athletics a school-wide event and student athletes are really students and really athletes. Harvard probably has the most varsity athletes and most varsity sports teams in Division I. There are 37 varsity sports and the Harvard web site for athletics proclaims "The nation's largest division I athletics program." At the Naval Academy there are about 27 varsity teams. They are genuinely competitive in many of them every year and they vary--lacrosse one year, basketball when they get some kids who have late growth spurts etc. At Duke they have 24 Varsity sports including fencing, lacrosse, women's field hockey. The Tulane sports web site shows only 13 sports for men and women combined. Navy and Duke also have more club sports that appear to be better organized and better funded than those at Tulane--at least if the web site is any evidence. While I don't have any insight at all into Tulane's finances or the costs for bringing on more minor sports at a varsity level, I think it might be something worth exploring. Tulane has a unique demographic mix that would allow it to be a power in the south in both men's and women's lacrosse because it draws so many students from the mid Atlantic. I suspect the same is true for other possible minor sports such as men's swimming, wrestling, water polo, crew, ice hockey and field hockey. All of them (except wrestling and field hockey) appear to already have Tulane club teams. By fielding competitive teams in sports that are often associated with some of the higher achieving academic institutions, Tulane could enhance its differentiation from other run of the mill universities. In other words, don't move down the food chain, move up the food chain. Become an attractive magnet for athletes from around the country. Tulane already differentiates itself academically, religiously and culturally resulting in an extraordinary demographic mix and generating a genuine educational community that is unique. Continue to be a magnet for that diverse group by offering more varsity opportunities to a wider variety of prospective students. Minor sport athletes are often better students. They have the drive and discipline to excel but they know they can't get through school on their athletics so they have to use that same drive and discipline to also excel academically to get into a school that plays their sport. This would further enhance selectivity in admissions and enhance Tulane's image all around. Tulane's excellent merit aid program could be used to facilitate (I think) attendance by excellent students who also want to participate in minor sports at a varsity level. I don't think anyone wants Tulane to look like Southern Florida with a 25,000 students who graduated in the top 80% of their high school class and 100 scholarship athletes hoping to get drafted by the pros and living in a special dorm pretending to be students majoring in a trade disguised as an academic discipline. So take the upscale path--dominate the South in lacrosse, water polo, ice hockey and crew (use that venue that the architecture students design in their freshman year)--and hope to be respectable from year to year in the majors. It will lead to a more diverse student body, more participation and better physical fitness across the board, and an even better mix of students. ***** As both an alumni and football season ticket holder, I am writing you this e-mail to express my strong feelings that Tulane should remain a Div. 1A participant in all sports. Athletic events are the best way to keep alumni (which in our case are spread out throughout the nation if not world) connected to their alma mater. Sports at Tulane form a vital part of the collegiate experience and an integral part of what college is all about. At Tulane we have always been first class in everything we do, including athletics. A step down in classification would be both an admittance of failure and an acceptance of mediocrity. This step, at this time, is both unnecessary and premature. Instead of discussing defeat we should instead be discussing steps to make athletics at Tulane stronger and able to remain competitive in Div. 1A sports. ***** I am writing to express my sincere disappointment with the prospect of Tulane athletics being downgraded to Division II. I graduated in 1999 (BSM) the year that Shaun King led the football team to its perfect undefeated season. While Tulane's football team will probably never be as successful and prestigious as Michigan or Notre Dame by any means, the thrill of that undefeated season was spectacular. My friends and I went to every home game and took as much pride in the team's success as any Ohio State fan must have this past season when they won the national championship. If our football team had been Division II during that season, the magnitude of the feat would not have carried near as much weight and significance and the school would not have gotten close to as much of the national recognition it did during that fall. Almost every person I meet, when I tell them I went to Tulane, makes some mention of that perfect season; and that is a pretty cool thing to have your school be associated with such an amazing athletic accomplishment. Whatever the primary factors are for the possible downgrade, they are not valid in my mind. There are too many intangibles associated with being a D-IA athletic program to give up now. I believe with the right leadership and desire for success Tulane can have a top tier athletic department. There are many private schools of similar size that have consistently achieved athletic success, Duke, Stanford, Miami (Fla), Vanderbilt, Marquette, just to name a few. If they are capable so is Tulane. I urge you to reconsider your talks and focus your efforts more on making Tulane more competitive as a Division IA school, not Division II. ***** I appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback regarding this situation. I graduated in 1986 with a B.S. from A.B. Freeman. My five years at Tulane University are still some of the most memorable in my life - with active participation in both my fraternity, Sigma Chi, as well as VP of Finance in the ASB. During my time in the ASB, we were faced with the point shaving issue with the Green Wave basketball team and the consequences of the dissolving of that program. However, the team came back stronger than ever, competing in the NCAA tournament several years later. Our baseball team has consistently shown that it can compete on a national level with schools of much higher national athletic attention. And I am still unhappy about the football team's undefeated season, while only attending the Liberty Bowl and finishing the year ranked 7th in the country. While pondering all of these, I realize that Tulane University is one of those unique institutions that can provide both an outstanding education as well as athletics competitive on the national level. I do admit that watching our football team in the Superdome is one of the more disappointing aspects of that sport, as that venue is not appropriate to the size of our school and local alumni support. A new, smaller outdoor stadium would make that sport much more enjoyable to watch, and be the exclamation point on making the Tulane Green Wave athletic program as great as it can be. ***** I have been reading a great deal about the athletics debate. I'm not so much concerned with the Division I vs. Division II debate as I am with the fact that Tulane, like many other universities favor football over other athletic opportunities for men and women. I would rather see football removed and funding replaced by 2-4 other low cost sports for men and women. There are many club teams that could be receive more funding if it were not for the football budget. I would also like to see more funding for wellness programs that would encourage all students to participate in sports. ***** For the past 37 years, my home has been Baton Rouge. Yet, I have remained a supporter of Tulane University and Tulane athletics. Unless you live in this city, you can't know what a challenge that is. As a Tulane graduate and ardent athletic fan, I have read with interest the recent articles concerning the university's review of the future of Green Wave athletics. As you may surmise, I believe that a first class athletic program plays an important role in a first class university. The continued improvement in academics and athletics must continue,and I firmly believe that both can. Several months ago I was seated at lunch near two gentlemen whom I took to be associated with the LSU Athletic Department. Ordinarily, I would take no interest in nearby conversations, but the subject matter of their discussion was intriguing. I shall attempt to recap the gist of the conversation below and refer to the two as Mr. A and Mr. B. Mr. A : In my ten years association with LSU, I have been more impressed with our fan support than most any other factor. We consistently rate highest nationally in baseball attendance and near the top in football. Our athletes enjoy facilities, coaching, training and tutoring which rate with the best in the country. Mr. B : I certainly agree with your assessment. Yet, I sense a "but" is coming. Mr. A : Yes, the "but", as you say relates to the athletes. We successfully recruit most of the best athletes in the state and our share of those outside. Yet, except for baseball and track, we are producing few national championship teams. I don't understand how an athlete in this environment can produce less than a 100 percent effort each time he or she competes. But I see too many examples of this not being true. Mr. B : You have a point. Think, for example, about the effect of 90,000 fans screaming for you on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Mr. A : I'll tell you a secret. I believe we are not getting a commitment from the athletes which is consistent with what the university is offering. Let me offer an example. The athletes at Tulane don't enjoy much fan support. They are lucky to draw 20,000 for a home football game. How can an athlete commit to a top effort when the stadium is nearly empty and there are few cheers? Yet the athletic department at Tulane must be doing something right, because their athletes are commited. My guess is that their academic standing requires that they recruit athletes who are above average in intelligence and character and come from a more solid family background compared to the athletes at many schools. Mr. B : So, what is your point? Mr. A : We have the revenue, facilities, support and young men and women with exceptional athletic ability. In team sports, unless everyone is committed, the effort will often be lacking. We need to find more commited athletes. Tulane competes reasonably well with LSU considering the differences in revenue, facilities and number of athletes. This is because their coaches and athletes are commited to a combination of athletics and academics works reasonably well. Their problem is one of athletic identity crisis. Can you imagine what could happen if they decided to market their athletic program? A professional marketing plan, properly executed, could put 40,000 in The Dome for home games. I'm afraid their athletics and academics would improve. Mr. B : Let's hope they never figure that out. ***** I am a 1995 graduate of Tulane University, Paul Tulane College. Upon graduation in 1995 I served four years as an officer in the United States Navy. I cannot emphasize enough how proud I am of having attending Tulane University. Throughout my tenure in the naval service and now while in the business community, Tulane has continued to be a source of pride for me. I constantly talk about Tulane, specifically Tulane athletics. I am a HUGE college football fan, and seeing my alma mater in a bowl game last year was the highlight of the football season for me. As I'm sure you are aware, a prominent sports program can serve a university in several ways. The best way it can serve a school is by giving it increased visibility. This leads to a certain reputation as a "good" school if you will, which in turn can lead to better students - most kids want to go to widely-recognized schools. Tulane being in Division 1-A plays a direct role in this function. Finally, in the years since I graduated, I have seen Tulane grow in prominence. The school is much more recognizable - in both academics and athletics - than it was just seven or eight years ago. I believe this is directly attributable to Tulane athletics - specifically basketball and football. Please keep this great university moving FORWARD by fighting to remain a Division 1-A school. ***** Given President Cowen's background from Case Western Reserve, it seems that membership in the UAA (University Athletic ASSN) might be very attractive. In fact, I'm sure that UAA membership represents the only Div.-III football option (model) that the Board is exploring. Most Tulane alumni and Uptown residents that I have spoken with are not familiar with the UAA, but sounded anything but disinterested. UAA membership is not ordinary Division III membership. Shouldn't TU alumni, students, and other interested parties be informed about the UAA before the May 29 proclamation? In fact, the whole debate has been framed as to whether we are against the ravenous expenses of Division IA membership. Perhaps some focus should be given as to whether we are for UAA membership. Tulane certainly has much more in common with UAA schools than with those of any other athletic affiliation under consideration. ***** I am disappointed that Tulane chose to conduct the first several months of the athletics evaluation in secret. Rumors were allowed to fester for many weeks before the administration finally admitted an evaluation of Tulane's athletic programs was underway. This secrecy is not what I have come to expect from Tulane's leaders. It is not uncommon to have university programs and departments that operate at a deficit, and while I agree that they should all be scrutinized, a deficit is not reason alone to cancel or do away with them. I urge you to consider the intangibles that athletics bring to the Tulane University experience for the student body and how the athletic program is a conduit to the community at large, not to mention how athletics provides a connection to Tulane alumni. With Tulane participating in athletics at the Division IA level, a great deal of national publicity is afforded to the university. This publicity helps maintain the connection between Tulane and its alumni, the majority of which reside outside of the New Orleans region. ***** To Whom It May Concern: As a loyal Tulane supporter and UNO graduate, I find the present discussions going on appallling. Sports is more than a price tag. Sports represents noteriety and a well rounded culture that is needed in today's complex society. This certainly seems to be important to Stanford, Ga. Tech, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest etc. I understand that many Divsion 1 schools are losing money, but I also understand how many schools try to make money such as traveling to LSU to for 500k to 700k and building a fan base which increases revenue through communication and competitve athletics. Rick Jones is a perfect model for other coaches to follow. He has 2000 fans attending his games of which I am one of the 2000. He has a good product and is fan friendly as I have personally heard him speak at the St. Bernard Boosters Club of which there may be 50 to 100 people there at a time. These 50 to 100 people network to others by expressing their positive attitude of which is networked again. I know Chis Scelfo did a decent job last year and has a long term contract, but he has refused to speak at our events and is certainly not the most vibrant personality that one could hope for in a head coach which should be very visible as related to fan support. I truly suggest that he develop communication skills that many high school coaches in the area are more well versed in. I also think an upgrade of Tad Gormely, coupled with playing at least half the games there with the exception of big draw scools such as Texas or Southern Miss would draw and develop a solid fan base. Finally, years ago, Tulane dumped the SEC. If Tulane had upgraded the program then to what it is now, you would have fans coming to see the SEC schools as well as Tulane competing and not losing all the time. Plus Tulane would be getting a split of the mega dollars that SEC schools earn through bowl games and tournaments. CUSA is is becoming a very good conference to be in. Let's not repeat histoy again and make another mistake. ***** I am in full support of Tulane remaining a Division I-A program. Furthermore as a Tulane Alumni(UC 92), I would find it disheartening if the University dropped its Div-1A standing. Tulane was a wonderful experience for me and having a Division I-A program was a big part of that. I hope that future Tulane students continue to have the benefit of competing at the highest level possible, not just academically but athletically as well. ***** Gentlemen and Ladies, Please do not "downgrade " the athletics program at Tulane. Tulane's reputation at the Division 1 level is to be admired. ***** Please keep Tulane in Division 1 Athletics. I have been attending Tulane football games for all of my 34 years of existance. I have continued this tradition with my 5 year old son. How sad it would be to end this tradition. ***** We don't need to drop down any divisions. We're competitive in many sports, baseball, football (our conference is a good place for us) women's basketball amongst others. I was able to walk on (football) and play against a high level of competition in my time at tulane. Clearly, I feel this helped me in my development as a man. Don't rob future alumni of that chance. Furthermore, sports success is cyclic. Be patient, schedule competitive games and games against marquee teams. Nobody worth their salt wants to travel back for homecoming to watch Tulane vs. Delgado! ***** Dear Tulane Friends: I am a proud supporter of Southern Miss. But today I am throwing my support behind Tulane remaining a Division I school. I am not a season ticket holder of Tulane but love coming down to New Orleans when the Golden Eagles take on the Greenies. I have been to so many USM-Tulane games at the Dome I can't remember them all. I have been to see games at Fogleman and at Turchin Stadium. Tulane is a great fit for Conference USA and our natural rival. It would be a tragedy for Southern Miss to lose a good rival and for the future of Confrence USA. When teams such as Ole Miss and Mississippi State won't play us we have always enjoyed the competition with Tulane. Over time I have begun to recognize loyal Greenies at games in New Orleans and Hattiesburg. Some of Tulane's supporters have been nice to my family and treated us well and friendly. Not something you get at SEC school's fans! I hope the committee will use thier abilitites to help Tulane remain at the Division I level and not be a rubber stamp for dropping to Division III. I know being a Southern Miss supporter does not give me much of a say in this matter but this Eagle enjoys traveling to New Orleans for many USM-Tulane battles and hope there will be many more. We may be rivals on the field but this Southern Miss fan is a friend off the field to Tulane and its supporters. Good Luck with this difficult decision!! ***** Given the changing landscape of Division I intercollegiate athletics and the academic mission, goals and resources of Tulane University, what type of intercollegiate athletics program is in the best long-term interests of the university? I'm not certain what aspects of the collegiate athletic and academic landscape you are alluding to in proposing your question, but nonetheless the manner in which your investigation has thus far been conducted appears both insensitive and disrespectful to all members of the Tulane Community.Ê Tulane Athletics is an integral part of undergraduate, graduate and alumni life for all those fortunate enough to have attended the University.Ê Tulane athletic events remain the primary venue enabling local alumni associations across the country to flourish, and in turn allow the University to maintain a key source of fundraising and recruiting.Ê While acknowledging that Tulane is a private institution, it would be unforgivable for the committee to implement any unnecessary changes to the Athletic program, including downgrading to Division III status, without at least sharing the details of both the impetus for and the findings of this investigation.Ê Revoking Tulane's I-A status would be deleterious not only to all student-athletes and supporters of the Green Wave, but more importantly it would irreparably damage the success and reputation of the University. ***** I am shocked and disappointed to learn about the new discussions regarding the Tulane Athletic Dept. I can honestly say that the first time I learned about Tulane was while watching a Tulane vs. Alabama football game in the early 1990's from my home in New York. My interest of the school and city grew and I knew early in my high school career that I'd be going to Tulane. The notoriety and attention Tulane receives from around the country because of the athletic dept is invaluable. I urge the administration not to drop the D-I athletic department. I currently live in New York and athletics are the ONLY way I am able to show my pride for my Alma Mater. Athletics are just one of the many things that gives Tulane its image, but it's an important one that I would really miss. I'd be outraged and embarrassed if the athletic department is dropped. I am shocked it's even being discussed. ***** Dear Dr. Cowen, I have read the Times-Picayune's account of your proposal to Tulane's board to downgrade Tulane's athletic program to Division III. I am concerned that no opportunity has been given to the community, Tulane alumni, and others to voice their concerns. As an alumnus of Tulane (A&S, Law '71), a multi-year member of the law school's adjunct faculty, and being 55 years of age, I have followed Tulane athletics for years. Some of those years have been good, and some bad. I have watched the debate over the last 35 plus years of whether Tulane should de-emphasize athletics. I am also a realist about the economics of "major league" college sports. Tulane continues to be a private university that has maintained academic excellence and it has done so while keeping in place it's major college athletics. As a result, Tulane has continued to maintain its national exposure and presence through its athletics program, much like other major private universities such as Notre Dame, Stanford, Duke, Vanderbilt, etc. I believe that Tulane's physical isolation in the deep South, combined with the large number of students that it attracts from outside of the New Orleans area and those few students that elect to remain in the area, makes it difficult to generate donations that would increase Tulane's endowment. I believe that the exposure that Tulane gains from its national presence will be decreased even more and make it even more difficult to generate funding for the whole of the university if athletics is de-emphasized. (How is it said: Out of sight, out of mind --- and de-emphasis of athletics will make Tulane both out of sight and mind.) Tulane is an integral part of the New Orleans community. Historically, its athletic program has also been a part of the atmosphere of the community. A de-emphasis of athletics at this time will be another blow to the New Orleans economic and cultural community. I believe that the damage of any de-emphasis will not become apparent until after the fact, when a re-emphasis will be nearly impossible. That is to say, you won't know how much you miss it until it is gone. The Tulane community (past and present) should, in my opinion, be given an adequate opportunity to meet the challenge by being given the opportunity to raise the funds necessary to keep the program at its present level. Any de-emphasis will, without doubt, result in the death of the whole of the athletic program, and ultimately, in my opinion, cause a slow death of the whole of the Tulane academic program. I urge that you keep the program at least at its current level. ***** As a long time Tulane fan (and volleyball season ticket holder) I am greatly distressed to hear that the University "may" be considering dropping Green Wave athletics to Division III in the NCAA. What ever happened to Division I-AA, or II ???? All the way to III ??? That's totally unreasonable. Tulane should stay in Division I. The great reputation that the university justifiably enjoys throughout the nation should be reason enough to stay in the most prestigious division within the NCAA. The exposure that the university gets when on national TV is priceless. So what if Tulane can't beat LSU in football??? Schedule Vanderbilt instead - a school that more closely adheres to the same academic rigors that Tulane does. And what's wrong with scheduling the service academies (Army and Navy) - two of the finest academic institutions with the finest students in the country??? Tulane shouldn't try to compete on an athletic level (at least in football) with the "sports factories" who couldn't care less about their graduation rates. Stay in Division I - keep the student-athlete graduation rate among the highest - keep up the outstanding reputation - keep the high quality people who now coach all the sports - and keep bringing in TRUE student-athletes. That is what Tulane stands for!!! That is what Tulane is all about!!!! ***** Anyone who is familiar with the history of this university knows that every de-emphasis of athletics has coincided with a decline in the university. We are still paying for the mistakes of Rufus Harris and Herbert Longenecker. The tragic thing is that the people in charge don't seem to know this history or understand that they are following the same naive reasoning that motivated the earlier decisions. Essentially, President Cowen and the board are apparently being told that Tulane can be like Brandeis, Emory, and Washington University in St. Louis by playing Division III football. Why should we aspire to that? Tulane now offers more than those universities. Moreover, as far as I know, none of those institutions has the Division I football history that Tulane does or its culture. Many of us consider Tulane's athletics program --- at the highest level --- to be an indispensable part of the university's image and culture. It's part of what attracts students; it's part of what keeps us alumni and friends connected. Thus far, what is most remarkable about this development is that the people who are thinking about this apparently were on the verge of making this decision without inviting the rest of us to share our feelings. It's OUR school, damn it, and a lot of us have an enormous emotional (not to mention financial) investment in it. To think of making such a fundamental change without fully considering our feelings is a betrayal. If Tulane's heads make this decision, I will NEVER contribute another dime, and I will never darken its doors again. There is a tremendous risk in what is being considered. If Tulane gives up its place on the national stage, it can never get it back. Ask SMU. How many times have you thought of Brandeis, Emory, and Washington University as compared to Vanderbilt, Rice, Stanford, and Duke? The difference is athletics. How do you quantify giving up the wonderful publicity we've gotten for high graduation rates, academic and athletic excellence, etc.? The university has not put a number on that, yet it's quick to count the cost of athletics. You cannot count costs unless you count benefits. The fact is that many institutions "lose" money on college athletics (Michigan did while leading the country in football attendance in 1998), but they consider that "loss" more than offset by things like campus atmosphere, student morale, ability to attract better students, university image, publicity, and the like. Tulane's administrators better consider how valuable those things are, because they are about to give a lot of that up. If they don't think so, they're naive. And another thing: Athletics doesn't "lose" as much money as the numbers might suggest. For instance, the university counts all scholarships as a "cost" of the athletic department. But I have to wonder: How much more does it cost the university to have scholarship athletes in the student body? Having a couple hundred or so among 11,000 students hardly requires more faculty or buildings. In other words, there's a lot wrong with the accounting on this issue. The "costs" aren't as great as represented, and the "benefits" aren't being measured at all. Before you make such a momentous decision --- one that will have long term consequences that could cause great damage to our beloved school --- these things must be calmly and correctly considered. What is the "cost" of alienating so many of us alumni, who have been assured over the years that Tulane has a real commitment to intercollegiate athletics? Specifically, what is the "cost" of our lost faith in President Cowen and the Board for this sudden reversal? A lot of us gave money based on those representations, and many of us had plans for even bigger things in the future. We feel betrayed. Tulane is in the Deep South. Like it or not, football is a religion here. Tulane is not in the Northeast. We are not Harvard. I should know: I have a degree from Harvard in addition to my two degrees from Tulane. I don't want Tulane to be just like Harvard; I live in Louisiana, not Massachusetts. Tulane is unique: it's a great private school with great academics and athletics. Students at Tulane get Division I athletics, and the program is becoming successful in virtually every sport. Now all of that is in question; if you're willing to turn around on football, what next? I remember when we dropped basketball. Did the world suddenly admire our commitment to "integrity"? If it did, I missed it. We simply dropped off the stage during basketball season while other schools received our share of the attention. Did the university prosper? Not in any way that you could attribute to dropping basketball. Did Brandeis get four hours of prime time television coverage on ESPN on Christmas night? Better still, has our law school (of which I am a proud graduate) done it? Medical school? Business school? Graduate school? It is naive to ignore the world we live in. College sports is imperfect, but it's a big part of American life. That's the reality. It's the biggest stage for American colleges and universities. Any Tulane official who thinks that dropping down to Division III will make people think better of Tulane is foolish. It will look like a failure, pure and simple: Tulane threw in the towel because it couldn't succeed. Why now? My goodness, the football program is on the verge of greatness. Why quit in the middle of a clearly successful strategy by Rick Dickson and Chris Scelfo? Is no one watching what is happening? This is clearly a time for patience, to let our successes continue so that we can build the fan support that we spent twenty or thirty years destroying. I especially fell for our wonderful, exemplary student-athletes, who must likewise feel betrayed. They've had no say; none of the students has had a say; none of the alumni has had a say. The mere fact that this is being considered has done damage. It has been an irresponsible act, in my judgment. Each of us must speak out --- lively and often. Let the university know that, if it turns its back on us, we will do the same. This is an incredibly dangerous and foolish thing that is being considered. ***** Dear Tulane Board: As an Alumnus, Tulane Associate, Tulane Athletic Fund contributor, and season ticket holder for Football and Baseball Iam contacting you to express my Emphatic Support for Tulane Athletics to remain in Division 1A Athletics. I feel this important to the University and its National Profile and to the fan base ! ***** Tulane athletics has a long and storied tradition in NCAA Division I athletics. To drop down in classification would be like the Univ. of Miami saying they were tired of winning National Championships at the Division I level. It would be a travesty! Tulane has long fielded highly competitive teams in the major Division I sports. Football-Undefeated season in the late 90's. NCAA tournament runs under Perry Clark in basketball. A long standing tradition of excellence on the diamond in baseball. To tell you the truth, when I found out ECU was being accepted into C-USA as a member in all sports, the Tulane-ECU match-up was the first one I looked forward to in baseball. To drop down to Division III status would not only set Tulane back financially, but also in stature. I understand their is a fine line between academic and athletic excellence these days in college athletics. The two must go hand in hand. I think Tulane would be short-changing themselves and their constituents in considering a lowering of athletic status. ***** Gentlemen: We understand the need to periodically reevaluate the status and goals of any program, but we sincerely hope that your current study of athletics will not result in downgrading Tulane's athletic programs from Division I-A. We have spent our adult lives watching our alma maters--Tulane, Vanderbilt and Southern Methodist--try to figure out the proper role of athletics at fine academic institutions. None of them have gotten it right yet. Our sons have attended Texas Christian University which does seem to be on track toward getting it right. The biggest problem seems to be how to finance the football operation which is then expected to carry all the other programs on its back. Neither of us consider ourselves experts in this field, and, as you know, there is very little information publicly available on the subject; however, it does seem that high priced institutions treat the "cost" of tuitions for scholarships as a direct part of the cost structure of the programs. Since there is little incremental cost for a few additional students, it would seem unfair to charge the athletic department the full rack rate of a Tulane tuition for each scholarship provided. We have always viewed Division I-A athletics as an important part of a quality educational institution. While academics are certainly the prime mission of a university, high profile football, basketball and, recently, baseball programs are the glue that binds many alumni to a school. They are also valuable name recognition vehicles. Excellent athletic programs can enhance the reputation and fund raising capabilities of a university greatly. Just look at what a great basketball program has done for Duke! And all those free media mentions on national sports programs and sports pages throughout the year certainly have tremendous value. It would be a terrible shame to see Tulane drop out of Division I-A. Would it not be far better, and more in keeping with Tulane's reputation for excellence, to dedicate the resources necessary to produce successful programs? We would suggest that the University dedicate itself to success at the top level of CUSA. That should be an appropriate and achievable goal which, when realized, should also draw enough revenue to establish financial stability. Dedication to that goal would produce quality programs that would enhance student life, attract fan and sponsor support and generate alumni pride and donations. If you are honest about the both the cost of providing scholarships and the indirect benefits of successful Division I-A programs, we also would think that the football, basketball and baseball programs might generate enough in ticket sales, sponsorships and alumni donations to carry at least a few of the nonrevenue sports as well. And finally, even if a modest loss remains at the end of the day, charge it up to Advertising and Public Relations. It will still be a bargain. We beg you to do this right! ***** As an Tulane alumni living in Houston, Texas, I can honestly say that the athletic successes over the last few years have drawn me (and now my young family) back to Tulane (i.e., donations to Tulane, attending alumni events, and, of course buying tickets to games whenever possible). To move Tulane athletics to Division III at this point would be to "take the wind" out of sails of momentum and excitement which are evident as a result of the recent successes of our teams and student-athletes at the Division I level. Success breeds success, and we have only recently started to see the kind of comprehensive success (on and off the field; in all sports) needed to build a self-sustaining athletic department. Please, don't kill this momentum by down grading to Division III. To do so would be the zenith of Tulane University Athletic blunders topping even the blunders that have gotten us to this point (leaving the SEC and tearing down Tulane Stadium). In the past, many "quick fixes" have been employed to right the Tulane Athletics ship. We are finally doing it the right way and just now beginning to bear the fruit of these successes. A move to Division III will cause more than just a loss of one element of Tulane's identity, it will cause the loss of me and many of my fellow alumni that are now being drawn back to our alma mater by the success of our student-athletes at the Division I level. Thank you. ***** I recently received e-mails suggesting that the Athletics department is considering a move from Division I-A athletics. I believe that the presence of a nationally prominent athletics program is vital to student morale and recruiting and for that reason would like to add my name to the list of supporters of a Division I-A athletics program at Tulane University. ***** Please register my strongly held belief that Tulane should continue to compete in Division I-A athletics. I recognize that this is an expensive proposition in a school with a tight budget but I also feel that the Division I-A athletic program has been, and will continue to be, an integral and essential part of the Tulane University identity. ***** I am opposed to any notion of dropping Tulane Athletics to a level below Division 1. Tulane has a long history of competing at that level and should continue to do so. As a banker, I certainly understand the financial responsibilities of an organization and their board, but the value of an athletic program goes beyond the absolutes of income and expense. University brand name, student & alumni pride and national visibility are all beneficiaries of an athletic program. I am a season ticket holder in two sports (while attending many others), donate to TAF and volunteer when asked to help Tulane Athletics. Yes, I am embarrassed at the attendance at some events, particularly football, but it is hard to make up for the mistakes made in the early 70's when Tulane committed to move to the Superdome. I feel strongly that a commitment from the University toward Tulane Athletics and a concerted effort by the athletic staff and devoted alumni can build that fan base back. What hurts this effort is playing out this discussion in the media. Whoever decided to do this should be dismissed as someone who does not have the success of the University first and foremost in their goals. I am very passionate about this which makes it difficult for me to share my thoughts succinctly. I would be happy to discuss this further if you wish, but let there be no doubt that I firmly believe that any drop in division would be another huge mistake. ***** When Scott Cowen came to Tulane from Case Western in 1998 I was concerned that part of his mission was to turn Tulane into a Division III school. He's now just one vote away from doing just that. The harm that would do to our school is immeasurable. Dr. Cowen came to town off of a 6 CUSA title year with an undefeated football season with a final number 7 ranking and the football program was profitable. However, Dr. Cowen is a businessman who would find the athletic department a losing proposition at all but a very few institutions in the country. The soft value has to be figured in and that's a concept that you never hear these academicians mention. Now, just 5 years after his arrival Cowen wants to dump the school into obscurity. This is a mistake of even greater proportions than Dr. Longenecker taking us out of the S.E.C. in 1966. Where's the stadium? Where's the major conference? Tulane has administratively put itself out of the football business. Not the players, not the media, certainly not the fans. Take L.S.U. out of the S.E.C. and move them out of Tiger Stadium and you think they would draw 80,000 each week? Don't think so. First of all, few if any S.E.C. teams would continue to play them. How long do you think those Red Stickers would travel any distance and pay that kind of money to watch Miami of Ohio each week? Off hand, I can't think of an off campus stadium which has been supported let alone one without a team with a major conference affiliation. What's the difference between the 60s and today? Two things: the S.E.C. and Tulane Stadium. Try removing those 2 things from any major program and see what happens. I'll tell you what happens: one vote away from being a Division III school. The thing that gets me is that Tulane always has its hand out, either begging for fans or begging for money via the potential fans. And, there's always an implicit threat - discontinuing football, dropping to Division III or burning eternally in the bottomless pits of Hell. Whatever. Tulane has to pull itself up by the bootstraps and quit laying the blame and the threats elsewhere. We are being charged with fixing the problems that they created. "Buy more tickets, send more money" (and we'll continue to fail you administratively and make even worse decisions). It's sort of like the Atlanta Falcons: when the team was so bad that they had a third of the stadium empty, what did they do? Raise prices? No, they lowered the prices to fill the stands until the administration could figure out what was wrong with the organization. They didn't raise the prices and say it was the fans' fault that they were failing and losing. They started to fix the problems that THEY created. Maybe Tulane should look to St. Charles Avenue rather than Willow Street to fix their problems. ***** Dear Tulane University Board of Trustees: As you are by now aware, rumors have spread on the Internet and in the local media that the Tulane Board and Administration is giving serious consideration to making substantial changes in Tulane Athletics as we know it today. We first learned of the rumor on a popular Internet message board dedicated to the discussion of Tulane Athletics frequented by Tulane alumni, fans and friends (as well as others) from across the nation and world. While the initial rumor centered on the Tulane Board and Administration's desire to drop Tulane Athletics from Division I competition to Division III competition, that story has apparently proven untrue. Nonetheless, the rumor has been borne out at least to the extent that a committee has been formed to study Tulane's intercollegiate athletics program and address the "strategic question: Given the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics and the academic mission, goals and resources of Tulane University, what type of intercollegiate athletics program should the University support?" (See holding statement, April 9, 2003). According to an e-mail purportedly sent by Dr. Scott Cowen to current Tulane students, as well as a story in the Times-Picayune, the review is nothing more than a routine evaluation of the Athletics Department. Nonetheless, anyone familiar with the past periods of athletic de-emphasis by prior administrations would understandably question the motive behind such a "review". Furthermore, the University's unknown stance on the future of Tulane Athletics has done little to help squash the rumors. Even the very wording of the "strategic question" begs the conclusion that changes in the landscape of college athletics and the resources of Tulane University necessitate a change in the "type" of athletic program to be supported by Tulane. Finally, it is of no benefit that discussions have apparently been ongoing for months between the Board of Tulane and the University's "senior administrative leadership" with no notice to or request for input from alumni, fans or members of the Tulane Athletic Fund. (This assumes that the April 9, 2003 holding statement purportedly issued by the University is in fact an authentic document and the facts set out therein are correct.) Hopefully, this review of athletics is nothing more than routine, standard operating procedure for the University that will not result in any major changes to Tulane Athletics in the foreseeable future. If that is the case, we strongly suggest that the Administration issue a statement to that effect ending further rumor and speculation. If, on the other hand, significant change is being considered, we hope that those changes will be to provide even greater support to Tulane Athletics so that the young women and men who represent Tulane on the playing field and court can continue to do so knowing that the University supports them fully. We also hope that the University will continue to support Tulane Athletics in such a manner that Tulane can field competitive teams at the Division I level in which Tulane currently participates. As you are aware, Tulane was once a legendary, football powerhouse playing for championships in front of record-setting crowds. Tulane's storied history as a football program suffered greatly under years of de-emphasis from prior Administrations. After years of de-emphasis and lack of support from the University, the support of fans and the media likewise eroded. Tulane Football became a revolving door of coaches who had little or no loyalty to the University or student-athletes. Now, Tulane Football is being rebuilt into a respected program in a young but upcoming football conference. Tulane has a head football coach that wants to be Tulane's coach and the commitment to the success of the Tulane Football program in the past few years has returned Tulane Football to national prominence with nation-leading graduation rates and the recruitment of top-notch high school athletes which is now beginning to stir the interest of the local media, fans and alumni. Why change? Commitment to Tulane's Athletic programs is the obvious key factor to their success. Tulane's Baseball program has become one of the premier in the country because of the University's commitment to the coach and staff and the Athletics Department's commitment to upgrade facilities and meet requests of the coaching staff. Years of dedication to women's basketball coach Lisa Stockton have resulted in her fielding a nationally recognized team that has won numerous conference championships and made numerous NCAA tournament appearances. Of late, Tulane has been able to field competitive teams in every sport in which it competes and by doing so, Tulane is regaining the respect of fans and alumni, as well as the local and national media. While we certainly understand that Tulane as an institution must operate as a business and review the financial aspect of all of its departments, we hope that the Board and Administration recognizes that Tulane Athletics provides something that cannot be quantified in dollars and cents but may be just as valuable (or more so). What is the value of Tulane Football playing on national television on Christmas Day? Priceless. What is the value of Tulane Baseball playing in the College World Series on national television or in front of a record setting crowds at the Louisiana Superdome or Zephyr Field? Priceless. How many of Tulane's alumni spread throughout the country and world gathered around a television set to watch either event or even to watch women's basketball play a NCAA tournament? Too many to count. After having their chests swell with pride from seeing their alma mater on national television, how many are more willing to write a check to Tulane University when receiving a phone call or pledge card from a fund raiser? Only time will tell. How many prospective students watched and chose to attend Tulane because of its national recognized name in both academics and athletics? Will we ever know? The answers to the above questions are readily ascertainable if there was no Tulane Athletics, no Tulane Football or if Tulane Athletics participated at any level other than Division I. First, there would have been no Christmas Day Bowl. In fact, there probably would have been little or no mention of Tulane Football in any local or national sports media. There would have been no College World Series appearance (as only Division I schools participate) and there would have been no NCAA tournament birth for the women's basketball team (for the same reason). Tulane would lose the interest of local casual fans and would certainly be out of sight and out of mind of those alumni spread throughout the nation and world whose only exposure to Tulane since graduating is to occasionally catch one of the sports teams on national television. We hope that the Board and Administration has the foresight to recognize the impact that such a change would have on alumni and donor relations. As it stands, Tulane Football will once again garner national attention when it opens the football season against TCU on national television. Tulane Baseball is once again nationally ranked and has a chance of hosting a NCAA tournament sub-regional and could possibly return to the College World Series. Tulane University will be mentioned in virtually every Washington Redskins football game (thanks to Patrick Ramsey, a model student-athlete and product of Tulane) come this Fall and in countless other major sporting events where former Tulane athletes/students are playing. This would not be so if Tulane did not compete in Division 1 college sports. We hope that the only change in Tulane Athletics is that the Board and Administration would provide unfettered support to the Athletic Department so that it can continue on its current path of fielding competitive teams, graduating a record number of student athletes and rebuilding a fan base diminished by years of de-emphasis and the lack of competitive teams. Only then will the Tulane Department of Athletics achieve financial success. Making substantial changes in the level of competition, while possibly more financially feasible on paper, would result in the huge loss of national prominence, national exposure and exposure to alumni/fans/donors and a loss of good will that is immeasurable. ***** I am the parent of a Tulane graduate who was involved in athletics the entire four years of his undergraduate program at Tulane as a student trainer. He greatly benefitted from this envolvement and I think that strong consideration should be given to keeping Tulane as a viable member of Div. 1-A. Thank you for your time and consideration. ***** I am an alumni - maybe not a real important one - however, I fully support continuing Tulane athletics in division 1. I am not aware of the financial impact this has on the University, but I have read that successful sports programs often lead to increased applications and a higher standard of entry for freshman classes. We have been successful in all major sports in the not too distant past: baseball, basketball, and even football. It seems odd that this comes up at this time, however, as I said, I'm not aware of all the implications. However, I will commit to increased donations (relative to my income of course) to the sports program if that is what it takes - I'm sure there are other alumni who feel the same way. Thanks, ***** I would rather be a big fish in a little pond than a little fish in a big pond. ***** I know dozens of graduates, including me, who were attracted to Tulane in part because of the visibility of its Division I athletics program. Almost 20 years after graduation, many of us still talk and correspond regularly, and the latest results from OUR teams are often the focus of our discussions. The long-term effects of this nightmarish decision won't be tangibly measurable until it's too late. But the fact that they will be clearly negative is obvious to anyone with foresight, vision and an understanding of Tulane's past and its place in the future. Don't miss the forest for the trees on this one. ***** I am an alumnus and a long time supporter of the Tulane baseball team. I fully expected an out pouring of support for the football team, but I am delighted to see the support the student athletes of our baseball team have received. Because there are only 11.7 athletic grants-in-aid available to all Division I baseball teams it makes their grade point average for possible academic assistance more imperative than some other teams. Say the 85 scholarships available to the football team. Hopefully, no Tulane varsity team will face the dreaded reduction to a lower level of competition. But I believe the baseball team deserves some special consideration for remaining at the Division I level because of their performance on the field as well as in the classroom. ***** My daughter will be attending Tulane in the fall of 2003. Her choices were Washington Univ. in St. Louis and Tulane. Wash U offered great academics, sororities and D-III SOFTBALL. Tulane met all of her criteria with the exception of softball. She has chosen to give up softball to attend Tulane. In the college search process we visited a number of D-III universities where the academics were primary, yet the athletics were still competitive and well supported. Being D-III has allowed many universities to spread their resources to a number of sports that ultimately attract a wider variety of students. In short, my prospective is that the excitement of participating in a D-III sport, for the student, far outweighs the thrill of attending a D-I sport. Being a D-III university holds a great attraction for athletes who want to participate in a sport, but want their college life to include more than just that sport. If going to D-III status would allow more participation, especially for female athletes, maybe it should be seriously considered. ***** Tulane has made the most stupid decisions concerning athletic commitments in my life time. First we left the Souteastern conference. Then we moved to the superdome,then we joined a conference and abolished men's basketball. Now we are studying the future of college sports. How can you hope to build community commitment when YOU DO NOT SHOW ANY COMMITMENT TO COLLEGE SPORTS. AND YOU WONDER WHY YOU CAN NOT DEVELOPE LOYAL FANS? Any business that would treat its CUSTOMERS as you have would be long out of business. It appears TULANE is out of Business as far as athletics is concerned. YOU HAVE PUT THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN. ***** As a law student currently attending Tulane, I seem to have much different view than those posted on this website. My views are as follows: 1) I think eliminating the football team deserves serious consideration. For those of saying "I can't believe you are even considering changing divisions, etc".....wake up...running a school like anything else (including public and private schools, church, etc.) involves BUSINESS decisions. I applaud the university for "thinking out the box" and having the courage to make every effort to do what is right for Tulane in the LONG-RUN. 2) Nobody WANTS to see the athletics program play less of a role on campus. This is a decision that must be based upon: Resource Allocation: Scarcity exists people!!! Especially dealing with funding for a university. Therefore the campus must use a cost-benefit analysis. Costs: all the complaints about tradition, how much we love Tulane football (really, ask anybody on the streets of New Orleans to name 5 Tulane players.....okay 4......how about 1?), etc. Benefits: Downsizing so Tulane can focus on its core competencies. We should be making EVERY POSSIBLE effort to be the best damn school in America...and nothing less...we have that possibility within our reach and should be striving for perfection and nothing less. 3) Our society thinks they can "have the cake and eat it too" about everything. Well, we've been spoiled. Sometimes we have to make hard decisions and the ECONOMY is forcing Tulane to cut back (hell, we all have to cut back)...Those who don't cut back and adjust will fail at EVERYTHING in the end. 4) My degree like every other degree has a VALUE. How do you measure this value? VALUE= quality of education, reputation, etc....Let's be honest, when I get out in two years, my potential employer is not going to give a damn about how many championships Tulane won. They will care about the value that I can bring to them. If my educational value suffers or is kept from increasing in value, then I suffer. It can be argued that part of value is Experience, which includes atmosphere at sporting events......Apparently all the ones who are attending the athletic events are the ones who posted messages on the website b/c that is about how many people show up at the football games. Tulane students already have a greater "university experience" than ANY other school in America due to the diversity, uniqueness, culture, environment, etc. of TULANE and NOLA. That is our selling pt for university experience, not sports. We most exploit our resources and use them wisely. 5) Our campus is blessed with a great education structure that has the potential to grow to one of the best if not the best in the nation (if we don't believe this, then we should give up now) and we must sometimes prune vine so the branches can grow. You know what?....Pruning hurts...but it will be worth it when Tulane becomes a better and stronger school with a richer, unique environment which will become recognized as the highest VALUE in America. I plead to all, at least consider the pain of pruning athletics so that we can all benefit in the long run... I respect all counter-arguments and all people who believe contrary to the statements above. I apologize for sounding a little harsh, but I felt that a good slap on the head was needed...If nothing else, I hope this helps you think...Thank you. ***** I'm writing to express my feelings re: reconsidering our sports classification as Div 1A. While the value of my education is in the academic reputation of the university, the athletic program and our periodic success provides plenty of opportunity for fellowship with my fellow alumni. I'm sure you're hearing from many other graduates, but felt that I needed to express myself. ***** I suspect that the costs of having an athletic program are just about the same in Division II: travel stays the same, equipment stays the same, food stays the same... There will be a savings in salaries as Tulane will no longer be able to attract the caliber of coaching talent. This will, however, be more than offset by the loss of revenue at athletic functions as your fan base will seek other venues --- say, high school teams. ***** I am a senior in high school here in New Orleans and Tulane athletics have always been a part of my life. I live in close proximity to Turchin Stadium and spend nearly every Sunday from February through May sitting at the baseball game with my family. With the hectic schedule of senior year and the intense college application process it has been a sweet release to spend 9 innings with my family. As a Division 1-A school Tulane gets the opportunity to go up against tough Conference USA opponents and come out victorious. How can anyone claim that a team that goes to the College World Series can't contend in Division 1-A? It was no fluke that team got as far as they did. I know, I watched that team every Sunday. It's no accident that players like Michael Aubrey played for Team USA. Division 1-A gives excellent athletes the exposure they deserve. You need proof of the success of your sports teams? Last year the Tulane vs. LSU game in the Superdome broke attendance records for college baseball. Do you need proof of fan appreciation and involvement with Tulane Athletics? Then come to the game on Sunday and sit on the third baseline. Listen to the joy and the intensity of the fans as they scream the "Hullabaloo." Listen as they cheer for their favorite players, and occasionally jeer the umpires. Sit back and watch as 9 guys sprint out on to the field and for 9 innings, and sometimes more, give 110% towards the success of their team, and the success of their school. Don't take away that passion for victory by telling them they can't contend in a Division 1-A Conference. Sincerely, ***** Lets just put it this way, lets fund more PhD programs and leave the jock straps to LSU. Look at the Attendance in the best year....compare even to ULL.....we need to get back to the basics and leave the others to someone else. ***** Dear Mr. President, I am in the T.A.F. and purchase Football, Baseball & somtimes Basketball season tickets. We have been playing major collegiate sports since the 1800's. Please do not allow us to get rid of, or step down our athletic programs to a lesser division. Alot of people, including myself, feel that we made a tremendous mistake by getting out of the SEC. Now we're in CUSA and I don't believe we should make the same mistake all over again. Our football team is making tremendous strides. Our baseball team is in the regionals every year. Our basketball teams are doing great and our other teams are also doing a great job. We have some of the best student athletes and coaches in the country. We are very proud of them! We may not have the fanbase of some of the big schools, but the fans we do have are very pasionate about Tulane athletics. So please give our athletes & coaches a vote of confidence on May 29. Plllllllllllllllllllease! ***** Dear Tulane Board of Trustees: I am writing to voice my strong support of continued participation by Tulane University in Division I-A Athletics. As an alumnus living outside of New Orleans (I am currently a law student at the University of Virginia), following Tulane sports provides an exciting link to my alma mater. This is a crucial connection that should not be severed. There is not a fall day that I do not think about Tulane football, nor a spring afternoon in which I do not follow daily updates of the progress of the baseball team. I try my best to attend games when possible, and plan to regularly attend after I graduate law school and re-locate to Houston. Furthermore, my future wife, a 1999 Newcomb graduate, and I both find that this connection to the University remains our strongest link to wonderful memories of our undergraduate experience. With my parents, graduates of SEC schools, I maintain a friendly rivalry over Tulane games, and my father and I find ourselves tense with anticipation over Wave-Tiger baseball match- ups and revel in the subsequent awarding of bragging rights. As an honors graduate of the Paul Tulane College, I fully understand the need to focus school resources on academics. Nevertheless, a sports program engaged at the highest caliber of sportmanship, which can only be ensured by continued participation at the Division I-A level of competition, is vital to maintaining alumni support and a connection with the institution. Bowl Games, the College World Series, and the NCAA Tournament or the NIT simply do not exist in other divisions of competition. Students, alumni, and local sports supporters simply will not turn out in any significant numbers to observe lesser levels of competition. Television will not cover such events, especially outside of the region; many generous alumni live outside of the broadcast range of such games. I believe losing I-A sports will also effect student life, spririt, and cohesion. Tulane's peer institutions (by which I mean selective medium-sized private research universities of strong academic caliber) with high level sports programs (Duke, Georgetown, Rice, Vanderbilt) have, in my experience, and more exciting student bodies which later translates into more involved alumni. Contrast the interest of a Duke fan with say, an Emory student; who do you think feels more of a connection with fellow students, fans, and the community? Please let me know if there is anything I can do to further persuade the Tulane board and administration to keep the Greenwave teams in Division I-A. I vehemently believe that the loss of athletics at this level will serve to sever student, alumni, and community relationships with the University that are otherwise nurtured by the sports program participating at the highest level of excellence. Please do not take this away; I know the intangible benefits are worth the costs. ***** Dear Mr. Dickson, I would like to strongly express my opinion that Tulane University should always remain a division 1-A school in athletics. Tulane has a long and rich athletic history whch exists hand in hand with academic excellence. There are not many schools that have finished in the top ten in football and been to the college world series in a short span while maintaning excellent graduation rates among it's athletes. The current athletic staff including athletic director and coaches have Tulane on firm footing. Maintaing a solid football program will solve the attendance problems.Tulane needs to maintain it's athletic tradition as part of it's identity. I am a Tulane graduate, A&S & Medicine , and wanted to make my opinion known. ***** I hold Football and men's basketball season tickets. If you leave Division I-A I will never attend another game! ***** I am writing this email in response to Rick Dickson‚s letter regarding the status of the Tulane athletic program. I graduated from Tulane in May of 2002 and during my freshman and sophomore years at Tulane I was a member of the football team as a walk-on. My freshman season I was lucky enough to be a part of the 12-0, Conference USA championship team. That season is one of my proudest accomplishments. My entire life I prepared myself for a chance to compete at the Division I-A level and Tulane provided me with that opportunity. Everything I had worked so hard for came true for me: I was a member of a Division I-A team, I played in a few games, I received awards (academic, as well as athletic), and I continued to compete, and would have continued to play if it were not for a back injury, in a sport that I played since I was eight years old. Since graduating last year I have chosen to become a college football coach. The reason that I chose this profession is because I love the sport and I want my players to have the same wonderful experience that I had. I am currently the defensive tackles coach at a small liberal arts school in the Shenandoah Valley. This school is a member of Division III athletics and we compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Since coming here last August I have learned to embrace what it feels like to be appreciated by members of the faculty and staff. Our President, Dr. Phillip Stone, is the biggest supporter of the athletic program. He believes that academics and athletics can co-exist. Our football staff feels the same way. We do not compromise the education of our student-athletes by making them miss class to travel or to practice. If one of my players asks to miss practice in order to study for a test or work on a paper I tell them to go study. I realize the importance of their education. Don‚t get me wrong, we have professors here that do not like it when athletes miss class, but they support the student-athletes. The professors come to the games, they help us during our recruiting weekends, and they congratulate the athletes when they do well. While at Tulane I can remember an instance where a professor told me to my face that he felt that Tulane and other colleges should not have athletics. I can also remember instances where my teammates were looked down upon by professors simply because they were athletes. I felt that some professors had a double standard towards athletes at Tulane. I believe that professors never looked down upon members of the Hullabaloo staff or other school sponsored extracurricular activities. These instances were very harsh blows to me considering I knew after my sophomore year the career path I wished to pursue. I thought to myself, „Is this how all college professors feel about college athletics?‰ I soon learned that these professors were part of a minority. I had many professors who were very supportive of my teammates and me. I can remember an instance when one of my professors told me that he and his son traveled to Dallas, TX to see us play against SMU. Other professors routinely asked on Monday mornings how we had played the previous Saturday. This the support student-athletes need. They don‚t need a stubborn and naïve professor demeaning what they are doing for themselves and for the school. In the end this issue comes down to money and all the parties involved know that. Whether Tulane is a member of Division I, II, or III athletics the school is going to lose money. Very few schools in the country actually make money from their athletic programs. Schools also lose money by continuing to employee professors the students don‚t care for and offering fields of study that a few students partake in. Remember that Division I-A athletics allow high school athletes a chance to go to college. I know I have teammates that never would have gone to college if it weren‚t for their scholarships. Division I-A athletics also allow people like myself to reach goals and dreams that they have sought after their entire life. Does Tulane want to kill the hopes, dreams, and goals of others by not offering them the same opportunity Tulane has offered to others in the past? I do not think so. If someone has never partaken in Division I-A athletics they do not know what a great experience it is for all of those involved. I challenge the advocates of getting rid of the Division I-A level of athletics at Tulane to go and watch a team practice. Watch the student-athletes during a weightlifting session. Go into the locker room after a team wins a Conference championship. Go into a locker room after a one-point loss. Go see student-athletes interacting in one of their classes. Help a student-athlete in a study hall session. After that, then come and tell me that it is not worth the money the school spends to provide this very special minority the opportunity to do something positive for the school. ***** To whom it may concern: I am quite upset that there is talk of a downgrade in the athletic status of the university. I believe as an alumni that the school would be taking a step backwards in stature. Although there are great academic achievements in medicine and research as a whole for the school, the tradition of division I sports makes the school a true "university." I was a student in the early 90s when basketball restarted its program and the excitement was great on campus. When I was a student in dental school, I skipped anatomy dissection to watch Tulane in the NCAA tournament. I celebrated when football achieved perfection and baseball was in the world series. I have attended Tulane, the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. I cannot explain why Division I sports is so important, but I think it says something about how special the university is. There was a certain intangible, or essence, the school exuded from the big time sports that the other schools just never were able to create. Thank you for allowing me to voice an opinion. ***** Dear Tulane Committee, I grew up going to Tulane football games with my brother and father from a very early age. I remember parking by Audubon Park and walking across the Tulane campus to the stadium. I remember sitting in our season ticket seats the first day the dome was opened to the public. My father was a 1949 Engineering alum and took my brother and I to the games every year until we left home. My brother and I have been season ticket holders for football and my brother remains a season ticket holder for baseball. We both have continued to support Tulane athletics and are proud of the teams and athletes Tulane has fielded. Ironically I am a LSU alumni but still wear Tulane shirts and hats and attend Tulane sporting events. I urge Tulane to consider its stay in Div. 1-A. The rich tradition is not only in the University but in the community, the state, the conference, Div. 1-A, and most importantly, the families that have supported the Green Wave for years. I personally would not care to attend Tulane football games if they were in a lesser division. It just wouldn't be the same! New Orleans has already lost so much, it would be a shame to lose Tulane's presence in Div. 1-A. Thank you. ***** I have had season tickets for years, I don't even remember how many years, at least ten. I have along with many other fans endured the years of one or two wins per season. We, I believe have kept faith with the team and I thought with the University however, the recent activities of the Board leaves me thinking the Board and senior administration do not have the same faith the fans and the alums have invested. Just as we seem to be on at winning track the conversation turns to let's lower the hurdles so we can have a more successful athletic program while lowering cost. If it is fan attendance take a closer look at the venue in which the football team competes. Every student, Tulane employee and the majority of alums in the area could attend games and the dome would still appear vacant and restricting ticket sales and seating to the lower levels does nothing to change the situation. The game at Tad Gormley last year had a fantastic turn out too bad it isn't done on a regular basis. I looked at the schedule I just received and there was no indication of another game at City Park, too bad. ***** I am a Tulane Fan. I didn't go to Tulane but I love everything about the athletics program. I attend all home baseball games and at least one away game a year. I go to all the women's basketball games and have followed them away. I have even gone to the volleyball game in Thibodeaux where my friend and I were the only Tulane people besides the team, the coach's Mom and son. I have followed the football team, driving to Memphis and back in one night for the Liberty Bowl. I got involved with the booster clubs and am now the secretary for the one of the Chapters. Through them, I made a small donation to TAF. Where I work everyone knows about Tulane, who they are playing and how they are doing. There are many people I know who are looking forward to the swimming\diving program. The point is that Tulane may not have as many fans as LSU but they are loyal and faithful to Tulane. Please consider the fans that you have. Because the fans that you do have are not as vocal as others, don't assume they don't care. There are things we can do to put more people in the seats. Why don't you get the booster clubs together to see if we can brainstorm together. Keep us up on the issue of changing divisions, the message from the game this weekend was great. Your e-mail gets the message out. Thank you for thinking about us. I know you will make the right decisions about the program. Roll Wave ***** I believe the Tulane Athletics Department is a model Division I-A program! Keep the programs and build for the future. Go Wave Go!!! Many Michigan fans took notice of Tulane on Christmas Eve when the WAVE beat Hawaii!! :) ROLL WAVE!! ***** Some comments from a Duke alum friend of mine realting what Duke went through several years back. DU reviewed its sports status a few years ago and it was determined to continue to do what is being done now. Not try to do everything. Try to do well what it is doing. It competes in most sports except baseball and football at the moment but has put a big commitment into football and some effort into baseball. It doesn't want try to do well in all sports or even have all sports. It decided it didn't want to deemphasize what it is doing now nor try to take on more than it can reasonably support. I can't believe that Tulane would drop a division or deemphasize, but who knows? We both know that athletics should take top priority at any university. ***** If Duke, Northwestern, Rice, Stanford, SoCal, Wake Forest and similar "peer" elite institutions can field Div 1 teams there is no reason the Wave should not. Keep athletics in perspective but keep playing in Div 1. Baseball, football, tennis, golf and women's basketball are competitive and basketball (men's) hopefully will return to glory. Realize we will never compete against the athletic factories but overall we do pretty well for a selective, small enrollment university. We even outshine Duke in football and baseball, Northwestern in football. Realize that for most alumni, especially out of state, we live vicariously, through the athletic endeavors of our teams. For one who was there during the real nadir, 1960-64, where one year we won ONE basketball game--missing immortality by winning the last game against LSU-- and went 2+ years without a football win, what is now being accomplished is phenomenal. A Football bowl game...and a win!!! Dropping football for a cost factor and turning into a Marquette is being short sighted. Adding women's swimming will help Title IX. Hopefully, although prejudiced as a member of TU's renewed swim team in the 1960's, men's swimming will even return. ***** STAY I-A!!! ***** Pres. Cowen: I am a 2002 law school graduate and a former Division I college basketball player and am somewhat concerend about the prospect for Tulane athletics. Based on what I've read thus far, I'm unclear what sort of direction you are exploring with regard to the program. Is it a move from DI or a move to expand sports for Title IX compliance? I am wholly opposed to making a move from Division I, though I understand that economics can play a major role. One of the main reasons I chose Tulane over other schools was for the opportunity to support a strong Division I athletic program. I have worked with many of the athletes and coaches and found the overwhelming majority of them to be humble and committed to both academic and athletic pursuits. Though I would like to see a better win-loss percentage, I firmly believe that Tulane athletes represent the school well in competition. Obviously with stronger programs, the school recieves more recognition and notoriety. That recognition is an important recruiting tool that works not just for attracting athletes, but also for students like myself. If I can be of any assistance in this process, please contact me at:
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