Questions and Comments We've Received

April 30, 2003

SAVE THE WAVE, please keep Tulane in Division 1-A.

*****

Dr. Cowen

I am a 2001 graduate of the Tulane School of Architecture who is very disappointed in your "investigation". My main disappointment is in you personally, Dr. Cowen. When you first arrived on campus I was happy to have a visible president around campus and at sporting events. Do you remember your first Home game? I was there to see the T-shirt you wore requesting votes for "Pecker the Pelican" as the new name for our mascot (sadly "Riptide" was chosen) and how we (the fans) all laughed when you were shown on the Superdome Jumbotron with your snow-white hair tinted bright green, and your face painted in support of our team? At that point I was convinced that this was the guy who would pledge his support to our Green Wave Athletics, and continue our winning ways. I was wrong.

Now, let me take you back to my days in Ohio, before attending Tulane. Shortly before my departure to New Orleans I answered many questions about my decision to attend Tulane, most of which consisted of an inquiry of Tulane's location. Those that didn't have to ask where Tulane was were the one's who knew the Green Wave football or basketball teams. My point is that, like it or not, a University's identity is usually tied to its Athletic department, and not their Rhodes scholars. Though local, and maybe regional attention will not wane without an athletic identity, your national recognition will. Do you think anyone outside of the upper Midwest would know where Marquette, MI was located if their men's basketball team hadn't made it to the Final Four? Besides, the Ivy League is already full, and they won't invite Tulane in now.

I'd also like to tell you that after moving from New Orleans to Dallas, I still attend every game that I can, even if it means proudly donning my green and white while sitting in the Home section of TCU's football and baseball stadiums, or receiving the glares while I cheer at their basketball arena. I also travel to New Orleans, when I can, to see my team play at home even if I know that a losing outcome is inevitable (i.e. against the UT football team). Do you realize that with a Div. III athletics budget you probably won't have the gas money to travel as far as Texas anymore, especially after you've spent the money renting all those old school busses.

Next, Dr. Cowen can you explain what "changing landscape of Division I intercollegiate athletics" is? It's been an expensive business for quite some time. This type of jargon reminds me of all the CEO's who claim that the "changing economic landscape brought about by 9-11" is the cause of all their problems. I mean, how vague can you get? Please don't blame this one on 9-11.

Another question that should be asked is do you have any idea how this "investigation" will affect recruiting in the future? Tulane just made such a good impression to the nation with our recent trip to the College World Series in baseball, our trip to the NCAA Championship in Women's basketball, and our bowl victory in football over Hawaii. I might add that Tulane had the highest graduation rate of any bowl team, and that was discussed on national television during the game. All of this progress is now being wiped away because Dr. Cowen wants to see how we can save a few bucks. I feel bad for the coaches who must explain to their athletes that "this type of discussion is commonplace within the university, where every school, college, department and center is reviewed periodically." I doubt anyone has considered moving the mathematics department to Division III in the past four years.

My plea is for you to do this one right. Keep our teams at a competitive level and in the national spotlight. Don't lump us in with the Worcester Polytech Engineers, the Sagehens of Pamona-Pitzer, or the Gustavus Adolphus Gusties. Tulane screwed up enough letting go of Rich Rodriguez (ask West Virginia fans how thankful they are that we did), don't make Tulane more of a laughingstock than you already have.

*****

Rick, As a show of support to my beloved Greenwave you can count on a 20% increase from me above my current level to the TAF plus an increase in my ticket participation to the $600 Ultimate Fan Pack. My Nephew, who is also a Tulane Alum is going to upgrade his ticket participation to the $600 Ultimate Fan Pack. I urge other Green Wave fans to also increase their current TAF by 20%, or join at the $125 Riptide level as a tangible show of support to the Wave. Also, please consider supporting all our team's by investing in the Ultimate Fan Pack.

*****

What a surprize! Tulane is once again putting its foot in its mouth. Now is the time to push football season tickets and you come out with the possibility of dropping to Division III. ( THAT MOVE WILL CERTAINLY INCREASE TICKET SALES), or just prior to recruiting season one reads in the paper that Tulane may drop football altogether. ( THAT SHOULD REALLY BE AN INCENTIVE FOR A BLUE CHIP ATHLETIC TO SIGN WITH US ).

Tulane university has made one mistake by de-emphazing the athletic program some years ago. Another mistake was dropping out of the Southeastern Conference.

Please do not make another mistake by dropping in classification.

Remain in Division I..

*****

Please let us know which academic department, and the method , will replace the advertising generated by the athletic department. We look forward to seeing that department featured in a 3 hour nationwide special, during which the name, "Tulane" is mentioned prominently and regularly.

Listening in.

*****

Tulane has been making great strides as an athleic department and is the next Duke in the making. For a group to even consider or discuss options is simply ridiculous. Reviews should always take place within any institution. Hopefully the committee will determine that it is the Universities best interest to ride the wave of Conference USA and reap the benefits.

*****

I have purchase season tickets for years. This year I gave to the TAF and TABA because I feel connected to the University. The only way I feel the reciprocity of that connectivity is through watching our "preverbal underdog" Greenwave fight and win. If we drop in Division class, so will my support for the University.

*****

Dear Administration,

As a recent graduate (2000), and a soon to be graduate (JD) of another Division 1A institution (UNC-CH), I can only say that I am supremely disappointed with the news that I have recently heard. For this to even be considered is a tragedy in my eyes. The core foundation that makes anyones 4 years at Tulane so great is the fact that it is not just an educational experience, but it is a life experience. Tulane is not the finest academic school in the world, nor is it the football powerhouse we all wished it could become, nor is it the greatest at any of its en-devours, but none of that matter. What makes Tulane stand out, and the reason why my children will be convinced into going to Tulane for their 4 years, is because the Tulane Experience is unmatched.

I have been fortunate enough to meet people from almost every school imaginable over my three years at law school, and not one of them has had an experience comparable to mine, and i would guess that almost everyone of them is jealous of the stories I tell. I am so proud of my Tulane because of everything I did, not just graduating with high honors, or making lifelong friends... but also for throwing paint on Scott Cowen, and for sitting in Fogelman and losing my voice even though we were losing by 20, and for going to as many baseball games as is possible without failing a Hogg Exam (best Prof. on the campus, he is in the Business School), and for almost getting arrested on the floor of the Superdome (i didn't jump)... all of which will not have happened but for D1A sports.

Bottom line, athletics at the highest level is necessary at Tulane, not because we need to win every championship, but because everything about Tulane is first class. It is the experiences, academic, athletic and social, when all added together that make TU in my opinion, the greatest place in the world for anyone to spend the 4 most formidable years of their life at.

To take serious D1A sports out of Tulane (with such an important history, and an unbelievably bright future in so many of its programs) may not destroy the school, but it will hurt its reputation , rankings and enrollment considerably... and more importantly I know that my experiences would not of been the same without it. I implore of you not to take away what is so rightfully a part of every student, and every alumnus', absolute rights as a Tulane family member. I can't imagine not being able to listen to TU baseball on the Internet, or wear my Green Wave apparel with one less ounce of pride then i do right now. I think I speak for everyone when I say that if we were to go D2, or to cut sports entirely, every member of the Tulane family would lose a little piece of their TU experience. the ones which made my heart so full for all of these years.

If there is anything that i can do (short of a fund the football team next season) please let me know.

P.S. As an aside, when I do have the money to properly support my alma mater's, I can guarantee you that the percentages (which are currently in my head 90-95% TU, 5% Chapel Hill) of my donations will change drastically if this were to occur.

P.P.S. To all of my dear friends who I have BCC'd this letter to, I ask each of you to consider how TU sports improved upon your TU experience, and write a letter expressing your feelings, whatever they may be, to the below email address. I hope all is well. http://feedback.tulane.edu/

*****

I hope to provide positive feedback to the University regarding a decision to stay in Division 1A.

I am quite pleased with the fine leadership that Rick Dickson has provided the University. If he or someone of his caliber had been hired twenty years ago, we would not even be discussing the possibility of not being in Division 1A. Instead, our athletics programs would be self funding!!!!!

The problem faced by the University is one of leadership. Leadership will solve the fiscal problems and raise the caliber of the University. The Public Relations marketing value of the win yesterday in the Superdome against LSU alone was worth at least a hundred thousand dollars in value.

Please let Rick Dickson take us even higher to the next level!!!!

*****

Dear President Cowen:

As an alumnus and continued avid fan of Tulane Athletics, I would be very disappointed to hear of a change in our status from Division I to anything else. I believe our success at the Division I level, although sporadic at times, has been better over the past five years and continues to show signs of being a healthy program. Baseball and Football have both been to the postseason recently (I actually attended the Liberty Bowl when we drubbed BYU) and basketball, although off recently has seen success and national attention. I am not up to date on some of the second tier sports but believe Tulane has always been a great place for athletics and student athletes.

To look at some of our peers, Vanderbilt, Duke, Miami (to a certain extent) you can see impressive programs that truly highlight the great strength of the student-athlete concept. I believe that the opportunity for Tulane students to compete at the highest level academically and athletically represents an achievement and a commitment the university should strive for. Certainly athletics is not more important than academics, Tulane is a University not a minor league system, but there are undeniable parallels between success in life and participation in athletics.

To downgrade our athletic program is tantamount to throwing up our hands and saying, we can't compete, why try. Is this a message we want to send about our attitudes towards challenges the University faces? Do we really want to downgrade our competition so we can have a better record? Personally, I would rather play the best competition available, on the field and in life, and find out how good I am vs. playing second rate talent, winning and then wondering how far I could go. I believe Tulane athletes would have more "success" facing the best teams in the best leagues and letting our players learn the value of both winning and losing.

I understand I have simplified some complex issues down to make a point and although my point is valid there are other factors, opportunities and costs to be considered. However, in my opinion, the greatest lessons I learned at Tulane I learned in a boat on a bayou at 5:30 in the morning at Crew practice, and we were only a Club Sport with no scholarships. The money I have given to Tulane has been directed to the rowing program and some of my fondest memories are of times I won and lost races and time spent with my teammates. To detract from that experience for student-athletes to come, in any way, would be a mistake.

I have nothing but the greatest respect and fondest words for Tulane as an institution and look forward to contributing to its success in the future. Nothing could take away from my memories and fondness for the University. However, a change like this would detract from the University and my opinion of it.

Evaluations, like the one going on now, are important and should be done to evaluate the future of any organization. When this analysis is done, and the recommendations made, I hope that you will take into all the factors I have described and agree that the "value" of these programs is worth their cost.

Thank you for your time and attention.

*****

To Whom It May Concern:

In regards to developments that have surfaced pertaining to the NCAA divisional status of Tulane University, I feel compelled to write and express my deep concern over this issue. I fully believe that changing the status to anything other than Division I-A is simply the wrong move and will only be to the detriment of Tulane University.

I do not have any personal affiliation with Tulane University but I am an alumni of LSU. With that said, I have always had such deep respect for Tulane as a great Lousiana educational institution and as an example for schools all over the country to follow. Several notable points have been made in support of Tulane retaining Division I-A status and I think it is important that the commitment is honored to keep the school in the highest class possible.

Tulane deserves the respect that accompanies the classification of being a Division I-A institution. While so many universities fall short of graduating a high number of college atheletes, Tulane has always had a great reputation for enabling and challenging their student athletes to attain their degrees. Division I-A athletics desperately needs to maintain these standards and Tulane University is a important leader who can inspire other universities to continue to upgrade their academic standards.

I do hope that the thousands of voices that have an opinion on this issue will be heard and that the committee will understand the importance of keeping Tulane University in Division I-A. Undoubtedly, it will be to the benefit of the Tulane family and to the city of New Orleans.

*****

Tulane Athletics must remain at the Division I level.

I am a resident of Tallahassee, Florida, and graduated from Tulane College (A&S) in 1973 and the Law School in 1976. As to the selection of a college or university, I would not have given Tulane a second look if it participated in anything lower than Division I. I lettered three years in Golf and had numerous friends playing other varsity sports. I am sure they also would have gone elsewhere if Tulane was in a lesser division.

Davidson, Emory, Furman are fine schools but they are not like Tulane and we do not want to be like them. One of the major things that sets Tulane apart is its small size, academics and that it plays with the big boys.

Tulane has had some extraordinary successes in C-USA. They are very competitive as evidenced by the baseball team's recent victory over LSU before 18,000+ fans. We are going in the right direction. Let's quit these periodic re-evaluations of our athletic status. It seems like we go through this process every few years and it does nothing but hurt recruiting and cause supporters, like me, to get anxious about the possibility that another stupid decision will be made to "dumb down" our athletics such as the decision to leave the SEC. We should fully endorse and support our Division I athletic teams, press forward and continue to improve.

*****

To whom it may concern,

I want to express my support for keeping the Tulane Football program in DIV-IA. As an ex-Tulane Football player, I'm extremely concerned that the idea of DIV-III is even being considered. I think the school owes all of the alumni an explanation for even considering this move.

On a personal note, I am a U.S. Army Special Forces Captain that fought in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and most recently, in Iraq. I know the tough competition and pressure I experienced at the DIV-IA level helped make me a better combat leader. The life-lessons I learned on the gridiron led to overwhelming success on the battlefield. Successful future leaders, (political, military, corporate, etc.), must compete at the highest level, in this case DIV-IA.

Currently, Tulane operates at the highest academic and athletic levels. It has a great reputation and every alumni I've met has shown a great pride and love for the university. In my opinion, competing at any other level besides DIV-IA is a half-measure and a disservice to Tulane's reputation.

Make no mistake, whoever is responsible for this is killing Tulane football recruiting and player retention. This will directly affect our athletic success over the next 4 years. The sad thing is, no matter what decision is made, significant damage has already been inflicted on the program.

*****

Dear President Cowen and Members of the Board:

You all have a difficult decision to make if news reports are correct. Moving to Division III is a real paradigm shift, and obviously will change the culture of the school and alumni relations. As a graduate, I have mixed emotions about the possible move.

On the one hand, moving to Division III would be, in many ways, attractive. Many academicians believe that Division I athletics are not compatible with first rate academics. Tulane could schedule the U.A A. schools, most of whom are Tulane’s peers. Other opponents can be found from the C.A. A. schools such as Trinity, Rhodes, Millsaps, and Sewanee. Like Tulane, Sewanee was once in the SEC. Division III is surely the purest form of college athletics and may benefit the student body in terms of participation. Think of it, “real students” could actually play on the football team.( I do not mean to denigrate our current players, most of whom will graduate and lead productive lives)

On the other hand, Tulane has a tradition and culture of Division I athletics. Many alumni and supporters will object to a move from Division I-A. College football is singularly important in the South. Division I-A athletics is a way to connect with the general public. Tulane has been reasonably successful in both men’s and women’s sports in C-USA. It is, however, an unfortunate fact that membership in a non BCS conference means that the athletic program will lose money. C-USA schools do not have big followings and are largely overshadowed by the pro teams and the SEC, BIG 12, Big 10, and ACC schools in their home states. I do not know much about athletic accounting, but even a Division III athletic program will have costs.

Tulane is not unique in college athletics. While some private schools are in BCS conferences, Rice and SMU are in the WAC and TCU is in C-USA. These schools have the same problems as Tulane. Can a conference be formed at some level with these schools and Army and Navy ? If Vanderbilt ever tires of its doormat football status in the SEC, it might be amenable to such a move.

On sentimental terms, I hope Tulane can remain Division I-A in all sports. I would miss following the teams from afar. Even if the school drops down to Division III, I believe it should retain football at that non-scholarship level, for I believe football is important to campus life.

*****

I am a 40 year alumnus of Tulane University (A&S '61). I strongly support the University's involvement at its current level in NCAA athletics. To make a change now to some lesser status would be a tremendous mistake.

The university has after many attempts gotten it right. The balance between academics and athletics is on target. Tulane's reputation nationally and here at home for its level of success in both areas continues to grow. Please don't make any change now that the recent successes have been realized.

I must also say that the way this decision is apparently being made without any meaningful attempt to inform the alumni of the specific reasons why a change seems necessary is very unfortunate.

If the problem is financial, let us know and at least set specific goals which must be reached to resolve these problems. If after consideration of alternatives, this price is apparently too steep, then so be it. To make such a dramatic change without this input from your loyal alumni would be in reality a breach of faith and trust of our relationship to the university.

If on the other hand, the university feels that somehow just being involved in major college athletics is demeaning to the university's image of itself, let us know that too, or that this can be aired and discussed as well.

The university owes its alumni, its students and the citizens of this community no less.

*****

Count me among those who want to see TU athletics remain at the D-1A level. Athletics was a great part of the college experience for me, it would be a shame for future TU students to lose the camaraderie and fun of TU football games - especially now that the team is playing such exciting and successful football over the last few years. I went to the games during the dark ages of the Buddy Teevens era, it is a source of pleasure for me now that the team has been to a couple bowl games since I graduated. Folks here in Oregon (where I now live) know about Tulane in part because of its recent athletic successes nationally in football and baseball. It would be a shame to eliminate that - to do so would greatly reduce the ability to generate nationwide recognition and appeal among future classes of freshmen.

*****

To whom it may concern,

I would like to express my opinion that Tulane should maintain its Division 1-A NCAA affiliation. In recent years the football program has been relatively successful, resulting in the participation in post-season bowl games and in placing two quarterbacks in the NFL. I believe that this success give the students, faculty and alumni something to be proud of (in addition to the high quality education that we have received).

It would be a shame that the university would turn its back on such successes. Rather, I believe that the university should try to build upon these successes.

*****

As an incoming freshman this fall I am very disappointed that Tulane would even consider this a possibility. One of the reasons I choose Tulane over many of the other schools was not its academics but rather the social part of the school, which includes athletics. I hope Tulane the administration really considers what this change would not only to the students that are going there but students that would consider and alumni that have gone to the school.

*****

President Cowen- I wanted to respond to your email about Tulane's athletic department. I think that changing Tulane to a division 3 school would be a huge diservice to the student body at Tulane. School spirit might not be at an all time high, but imagine what would happen if our teams were reduced to divison 3 level? I attended every single home football game this year, including the ones during the evacuations, but I would never attend a football game if we were division 3. I enjoy cheering for my friends on the women's volleyball team, and have a great time when my friends and I go to the basketball games in Fogelman. College is about more than academics, and your student body realizes this. This is why we chose Tulane, so we could take advantage of all the great resources here- including division 1 sports teams. Leaving us out of the decision making process, and making huge changes like this will only serve to further alienate the students from the administration.

*****

Tulane must stay in Division I football.

The Division I football season has a way of bringing alumni, students, and future students together like no other collegiate event. Tulane has a rich tradition in Division I football and it should only be getting stronger. In the last five years, the Green Wave has won two bowl games including one that capped off a perfect season and a top 10 national ranking. Last year's victory in the Hawaii Bowl should have been the start of a great recruiting season however the rumors of a division change will significantly hamper the coaching staff's efforts. Was this done on purpose? Is the administration afraid of program stability and success?

Having a Division I football team should be a recruiting and fundraising resource for the entire University but this will never come to fruition as long as the administration continues to cast doubt over the future of the program. Schools such as Notre Dame, Miami, Syracuse and the military academies have learned to utilize Division I football as a resource while expanding their academic goals. I urge you to protect, nurture and then tap this valuable resource.

*****

Dear Tulane Athletics --

As a graduate of Tulane back in 1973 I think I've witnessed a lot when it comes to Tulane sports. I've seen a lot of good, and a lot of trying to be good. I've seen great players and teams emerge as well as dare to be great players and teams compete. And compete we always did. We even went to a Rose Bowl many years ago. How many teams can say that?

I live and breathe Tulane athletics. It's what keeps me young. It what keeps me reading the sports section in the daily paper. Seeing us ranked this year in baseball and tennis. Just seeing the Tulane name on those lists gives me goose-bumps and is a real boost to the ego of all graduates that I really can't properly explain. It's being proud of your school. It's something we graduates need. It's something we savor. Please don't take that away from us. Keep us in Division I-A.

Tulane is a benchmark for all Division I-A teams. Look at what we accomplish. We are a small student population university that competes, graduates our student-athletes, and by gosh we go out and we win. We put smiles on the faces of our students who compete, our students who watch the competitions, and old timers like me who cherish the exploits of the Olive Green and Sky Blue.

I enjoy seeing victories but I also understand the defeats. Don't let us be defeated now.

I and thousands of others who've donated what we could over the years to Tulane athletics via the Wilson Challenge, Tulane Athletic Association, etc., need the importance of seeing our alma mater in Division I-A. The joy of football bowl victories, wins in Omaha, trips to the NCAA mens and womens hoops tournaments, etc., cannot be replaced.

Let's not forget that the Rose Bowl allowed us to build an on-campus basketball arena. Imagine what other things Tulane sports can accomplish for the university in the future by being visible and competitive in Division I-A.

Stay the course mighty green wave and the student athletes will continue to come and make the university proud not only by their intelligence and what they will give to future generations but by their victories in Division I-A sports.

*****

Dear Dr. Cowen,

Much of the current discussion surrounding Tulane possibly changing from NCAA Division I status obscures the relevant question, namely what is the purpose of our university?

I have long believed that students at Tulane should be students first, and then participants in extracurricular activities second. Nevertheless, scholarships which recognize excellence on the part of students in non-academic fields are an important part of creating a diverse student body. I would hope that the University would commit to maintain the current number of scholarships from non-academic fields regardless of the decision on Division I status. There are many types of intelligence and having all varieties of gifts represented among the student body is a benefit which can not be easily quantified.

In other words as an essential part of what it means to be a University, I support enhancing the diversity of the student body through maintaining or increasing the number of non-academic scholarships. Whether you keep the same NCAA classification or not is largely irrelevant to our university's purpose. The one way it might matter, however, is if changing NCAA status is a covert way of removing diversity from the student body, in which case this hidden agenda should be exposed and debated in the open.

Whichever course is decided, Roll Wave!

*****

please keep tulane tennis competing in the division 1 level. thanks .

*****

Dear Mr Dixon; I have been a fan of Tulane University and it's athletics for a long time now, even when they sports program was not doing so good. I would go to a few football games a year and follow them on the radio & in the news. (When you can find it.) A few years a go I went to the Super Regional when Tulane beat LSU to advance to the College World Series. Of course, I could not get tickets, so I was in the parking lot at a friend's motor home and just soaked up all the excitement. Last year I went to several games with my friends and liked what I saw. This year I became a Season Ticket Holder. I love attending the games, cheering for my favorite player(s) and just being around the fans who love Tualne like I do, if not more.

Why is the board considering a move away from Division 1-A? How can this save money? Don’t you still need equipment, a coach, and travel? The main expense is still there. Plus, if you leave Division 1-A, you will loose some of the fan support you already have, losing you more money. A move outside of Division1-A admits defeat of a program that has netted many C-USA titles in the last several years, as well as an appearance in the College World Series. This is great advertisement for Tulane as a university, as well as the athletic programs. Sports is the university's way of linking with the community. We can not attend classes with a student, but we can show our support by attending an athletic event. Sports is also the university's best way to advertise the school and its' students. Just look at last night's national coverage of the baseball game. Don’t you think that somewhere a high school student who never heard of Tulane said:" Wow, this looks like a cool place to attend college. How come I never heard of them before?" Not only have you gained a student interested in attending the college, but a fan as well. Now how cool is that?

I truly believe in my heart that the university does not want to get rid of athletics altogether, but there has got to be a way to keep the programs afloat. Just by going to the games & joining TAF does not seem to be enough for you guys. We spend money on Tulane merchandise [which by the way should be sold in more venues. I do not think you could walk into many store in the New Orleans area and not see LSU stuff], buy food & drunks at the game, drive to out of town games - how much more can we give?

Also the fans should get more support from the school. For close road games (like Baton Rouge), why can’t there be For close road games (like Lafayette or Baton Rouge), why can't there be a bus leaving Turchin for fan use? (I an mot suggesting this should be free, but a modest charge would be a boost.). Many would be interested and you have a group of fans who will be able to attend that could not attend before. And you give the team more support and make the university more visible to out of towners. Talk to a travel agent, get a group rate for attending out of state games and make it available to all the fans interested in going. Yes, some fans attend out of town games on their own, but somemore would probably go if they could go with a group, making it more financially attractive and definitely more fun. When there is a game at the Dome or at Zephyrs Filed have a special "Tulane" section? Seats set aside by The Wave's dugout for just Tulane Fans. Hundreds cheering the Hullabaloo at one time together us much more effective than 7 or 8 scattered sections.

I'm sorry I guess this is way too long as it is. Please do not move Tulane athletics out of Division 1-A.

Thank you for your patience

*****

I strongly support maintaining the football team. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do in this effort.

*****

As an avid supporter and fan of Tulane, I would like to voice my concerns about the future of Tulane athletics. I urge you to rethink the status of Tulane sports and keep the program alive for many years to come.

*****

Much publicity has been given to the possibility that Tulane will be moving out of the ranks of Div. I-A. I believe that this would be a terrible mistake. I have been a Tulane fan from the time my father took me to see Tulane football back in the late forties to the present. I thought the football program had finally turned the corner and this talk about moving down is not what we need to encourage fans and to promote the future of the program. Please do not make this mistake.

*****

Unfortunately, this is a perpetual problem at Tulane: whether to finance or not and at what level. I say perpetual because I do have some history associated with the university, and every 5-10 years this issue resurfaces.

The problem is:

(a) you will never get the kind and number of sports supporters (both financially and in participation)that schools such as LSU can gather. It is simply a fact of (1) numbers of graduates, and (2) location of graduates.

(b) obviously, this latest "examination" has come about because of changes in university policy that calls for greater self-sufficiency amount university entities (which is a good policy, in general), and a financial and economic environment that has placed all institutions of higher learning in an "re-evaluation" mode.

(c) unfortunately, in my opinion, the university President has failed in his earlier commitment to athletics by not developing a long term plan on how to deal with this re-occurring issue. I realize that more pressing issues were, and are, before him, but unfortunately, he must accept some responsibility here.

Solutions:

(a) you will need to drop programs in the athletic department. You know which programs are successful better than myself, but cost is a factor.

(b) develop a long-term plan, and don't forget those very generous people who give substantial support in the past.. They supported because they were promised university support.

(c) I'm not sure whether a special assessment will be needed (which I'm sure the faculty will oppose and the students will support)that support the program (in general).

(d) retreating to a lower competition division will not solve the problem. Maybe if this were New Haven or New York or Cambridge, it might work. But this is New Orleans and the state is Louisiana. It simply will further erode Tulane's significance to the area.

(e) a great university's prime purpose is teaching and research. Athletics should NOT be a prime purpose. Unfortunately, reality dictates that people SEE and HEAR about a university's athletics and (many) measure its greatness through that unit of the university. Most don't see the prime purposes. This is particularly true in Louisiana. Therefore, Tulane must maintain (somehow) its role as a great university with support for an athletic program that maintains that visability.

(f) good luck, it's a difficult problem. But difficult problems DO have solutions, if we work on them long enough.

*****

I am writing this letter to you as both an alumnus (Newcomb, December 1992) and a young mother. Although I graduated a semester early, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Tulane. I not only grew as a student, but I also grew as a person. It was at Tulane that I met my husband ˆ we enjoyed countless hours together while in New Orleans. Some of our fondest memories, in fact, are those of attending football games together in the Superdome. I loved rooting for Tulane against universities my friends attended, such as SMU, Vanderbilt, Rice, Southern Miss and Ole Miss.

I recently heard of your plans to potentially remove Tulane from Division 1A. I am both appalled and saddened by this possibility. I‚ve never heard of a major university just giving up their position in Division 1 athletics after playing in that division for over 100 years. This is unprecedented. Tulane athletics means a great deal to the student body and to the alumni community ˆ many lives will be affected by this decision.

What concerns me most, however, is that Tulane‚s admissions process will be hurt by all of this. I realize that we are first and foremost an academic institution. However, a well-rounded student body is not comprised of all Rhodes scholars and Dean‚s List students. A well-rounded student body, in fact, is comprised of artists, dancers, drama students, musicians and student athletes at the Division 1 level, to name a few. More importantly, students want activities they can be a part of ˆ they want to root for their team, show school spirit and belong to a well˜rounded body of peers. By removing us from Division 1A, you are essentially taking away a major component of student life th! at attracts the diverse student body we have today. With a plethora of non-Tulane related activities in New Orleans, students will not attend small Division 3 games against unknown teams. If you think attendance is poor now, wait until you see how few students, alumni and faculty attend Division 3 games ˆ my guess is that the stands will be empty. And if you‚ll deprive the student body of this, what‚s next? The Arts? The school newspaper?

At the beginning of my letter, I mentioned that I was writing to you as a young mother. As the „mommy‰ of a 10-month old son, I envision sending him to a university that is both academic and social, with many activities with which to associate. I will strongly advise my son to attend a school where he can grow as an individual and belong to a community of well-rounded peers with interests in sports and the arts, as well as academics. I always envisioned him attending Tulane, carrying on the tradition of our family. If Tulane is no longer a part of Division 1A athletics, I will be hard-pressed to encourage his attendance there. We are from the South where Division 1A athletics is a passion. If he is a sports fan, he will not want to attend a school that does not have athletics. And ask people in Louisiana and they will tell you, Division 3 is not considered college athletics. And if he is athletically gifted enough to play Division 1 sports, he will certainly not want to attend a university that is not a part of Division 1A athletics, the top-tier of collegiate athletics. Who wants to be a part of a sub-par athletics program?

I have one final comment that, from your perspective, may be the most important. You have often stated that you want Tulane to reach out to Louisiana and its residents and to more closely connect Tulane with the local community and with the state. Tulane athletics is the one obvious advantage you have in this battle. Louisianans love their sports, and when Tulane does well, they respect that and want to send their kids to a winning program. Dropping Tulane to a lower division of sports will only alienate Tulane further from Louisiana and its residents, and, unfortunately, from many Tulane alumni. I think if you tell alumni that Tulane athletics is in dire financial straits, and you present a timeline to collect contributions to put the athletic department back on its feet financially, I feel certain that alumni and friends of the school will respond. I feel certain the money needed to rejuvenate the program will be given. At least give us a chance to keep our athletic program alive. Don‚t take it from us in the middle of the night without giving us a chance to fight for it.

*****

I couldn't think of a worse idea than sending the Wave to D-III. I could go on ad nauseum about why this is such a bad idea, but I think instead I will just make this point:

If finances are the driving factor in this decision, the amount of athletics revenue lost by losing conference affiliation will be extraordinary. The gap will only grow, and all the devoted TU alumni and fans will be left without even the hint of an athletics program to be proud of.

One other point. It seems to me that changing this program is on the worst part of wrong when you have so many student-athletes coming to Tulane right now under the express idea that they will have the opportunity to compete with the best in the country. Are you simply going to let the baseball team fall to pieces after Coach Jones built it to such a nationally recognized program that is producing major league caliber players every season? What of J.P Losman and his teammates? J.P. is being touted as a top 3 QB in college next season, building on the successes of Sean King and Patrick Ramsey (just to name a few). Going D-III leaves J.P., the entire football team, the rebuilding basketball team, and a score of others literally out in the cold.

As I said before, I could go on nearly forever on why this should not happen. I only can hope this panel will make the correct decision based on the facts, input of the fans and friends of the school, and with the student-athletes in mind.

*****

I will be graduating (again) from Tulane on May 17th with the Class of '03. This is my 50th reunion. Be creative and make the finances work as we stay in Division I. I think CUSA is perfect for us. Weren't we 10th in the nation a few years ago. Let's get out of the Superdome and go to an improved City Park Stadium. When we consistently fill the 25,000 or more seats, we can close an end or something. Tradition is everything in university history. Don;t destroy it just because it is an easy way out. You are a bigger man than that, Mr President. Go Green Wave!

*****

I believe there are several reasons to keep Tulane athletics at the Division IA level:

1. Exposure - the exposure the school receives when it is in a bowl game or the College World series is immeasurable.

2. Solidarity - athletics give the students something to rally around, and it also provides for a social outlet.

3. education - athletics broadens the liberal arts experience for all students and faculty, and it provides opportunity to student athletes that would not be available otherwise.

During my 4 years at Tulane (1985-89), we did not have basketball, and we missed it immensely. The program was revitalized, and Tulane returned to the NCAA a few years ago and beat St. Johns in the first round. The baseball team went to the College World Series a couple of years ago, and just took 2 of 3 from LSU this year. Other small schools, such as Duke, continue to compete on a high level. Why can't Tulane? I think that with a will, there is a way. I do think the school would be better served with a small football stadium (30-40,000 capacity) on the campus, but that may be very unrealistic in light of the school's location.

Tulane is not an independent, and they are in a pretty good conference, especially for basketball. We use their games with UAB to have alumni functions. I just don't think you can measure the broad effect of Division IA athletics, especially if it is done with integrity.

*****

Please remain in Division I-A. I live in Mississippi but have been able to attend a few games. I will purchase a family pack of tickets for Football for this coming season. I believe it is crucial to the overall image of Tulane University to remain in Division I-A.

*****

Do not change from Division I. I contribute to the University every year, including the athletic department. My grandson will be attending Tulane starting in the fall. The contact by my friends and classmates, as well as Alumni in general is through athletics. Friends from all over the country that I am in contact with know about Tulane though the publicity the athletic teams generate on a national basis. Without this publicity, Tulane is not as visible as it should be, in spite of its many academic accomplishments.

If anything, Tulane should be doing a lot more to enhance its fan base. Not enough publicity is given to the University for its role in the community. There are all kinds of incentives available for bringing in new bussiness into New Orleans, but very few to already existing entities which employs the numbers that Tulane does.

Also the media promotes, to the point of being annoying, the professional sports teams and gambling entities that are already obtaining tax dollars so that they can make more profits than they already rake out of the community. Tulane needs to be more active in obtaining some of the same.

Promotion for athletics should be farmed out to a professional organization based on incentve contracts that could possibly cost the university vertually nothing. The current promotional effort is amateurish and does not reach its intended audence. There are major events that even I, who is very interested in athletics, never even get proper information regarding times, dates, etc.

There is a lot more ut it would take too much time to iterate

Thanks,

A Tulane Fan who has season tickets to football games, basketball games and attends many other events with my four children and 8 grandchildren.

*****

This is in response to Dr. Cowen's letter to the students of April 21, 2003.

I regret criticizing my own alma mater's administration, but I feel I must do so as it once again shoots itself in the foot. I wonder how many more prospective student atheletes will turn away from Tulane as a result of this negative publicity.

If all of the university's schools and colleges have been reviewed in a like manner, how is it that we have heard nothing of such reviews, yet it is seen fit to publicize the review of the role of intercollegiate athletics?

Why is a letter sent to the transient student population inviting comment, but nothing to the enduring and loyal alumni and athletic department supporters?

I suggest that Tulane earned its lofty academic reputation while maintaining and because of a strong athletic program primarily in the first half of the 20th century. In my view, conversely, the university's academic "mission, goals and resources" will suffer from a weakening of its athletic program. I can surely state, from my personal standpoint, that my attitude generally toward the university will change for the worse if such a change occurs.

*****

It is very apparent from reading the feedback posted here that there is tremendous support of Tulane University and its athletic department. What is also apparent, is that Tulane students come from around the country, and it's graduates leave, and establish themselves in communities around the world. The diversity of this student body is one of the reason's for its successes, but also the distance voices must travel, sometimes makes it difficult for them to be heard.

Athletics is a binding force for the alumni. It is something for students and graduates to have in common. To take it away is to take a very integral part of the university experience away. A short sighted vision at this time would likely bring long range problems the administration can barely envision.

Hopefully the committee and others will read these postings, and take them to heart. Don't abandon athletics, instead improve and strengthen it, and use it to the University's advantage.

*****

I recently became aware of the ad hoc committee to determine the future of Tulane Athletics. I am an alumnus of Tulane (1991) and am very disturbed this committee was ever formed. While football has issues, those seem to be turning the corner. Baseball and basketball are very representative of the University. I have experience with Division III schools, and the overall campus experience is not the same.

I would think the committee would better spend its time studying the quality and character of certain faculty members which have cast Tulane in an unfavorable light.

*****

Dear President Cowen, I wrote to you last week, but I feel another letter is necessary. Yesterday in the USA Today sports paper, there was a whole page dedicated to the up coming college football season. On the bottom right hand side was an article on Mewelde Moore and has accomplishments at Tulane, as well as, mentioning the opening college weekend game of T.C.U. at Tulane on Labor Day.

All of this FREE promotion occurred because Tulane IS a Division I school. With recent success of the athletic department with trips to Omaha and Hawaii, Tulane received FREE publicity, as well as, having the camera's focus on yourself in attendance. Would a demotion to Division III increase enrollment for the university?

The landscape of college athletics has changed, but Tulane can still be successful by sticking to their own standards. A demotion signals to every student, fan, alumnus, and high school seniors we are quitters. I was always taught never to quit, but to continue to fight. A strong vote for Division I athletics at Tulane, as well as, more financial backing by the university. Please do not underestimate the power of athletics and the positive effects it has for this university.

*****

Tulane is great, private university. The vast majority of alumni would support bolstering our academic institution and making the university a better place for the current student body. Alumni who see the benefit in dropping from Division 1 are less likely to be compelled to provide any feedback in this forum.

We need to remember that Tulane is one of the South's best private institutions of learning similar to Emory and Rice. We have all known for years that maintaining athletics at its current status is a waste and done for the benefit of only a few who should have probably attended LSU or some other sports-dominated college. My family has fond memories of attending games at Tulane Stadium on Willow. We should strive to return to that era where sports did not trump Tulane's long tradition of providing an excellent undergraduate education.

*****

If Tulane Athletics moves from Division IA to Division III, I will never, ever support Tulane University again.

*****

1. 2001 College World Series
2. 2002 Hawaii Bowl - Tulane 36, Hawaii 28
3. 2003 - Men and Women win CUSA Tennis Championships

Why in the world should Tulane go to Division III? Tulane has proven that it is positively a Division I school. Tulane has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 7,500 people, an overall enrollment of approximately 12,400 people, and an operating budget of over $500 million a year. Are these really Division III numbers? There are many members of the New Orleans community that support the Green Wave in all that they do. One of the main reasons that the local support for Tulane is less than that of other Division I schools is that the school produces excellent people who excel in the "real" world. The problem is that the "real" world doesn't normally include staying in New Orleans. If the problem is showing support for Tulane Athletics, then maybe Tulane should look at how they market themselves. If Tulane goes to Division III, I think I would rather go to Tad Gormley and watch a Saturday night District 9-5A game before I would watch Tulane play Mississippi College or Texas Lutheran.

If Tulane switches to Division III, you are going to lose the fans you have and good luck trying to get new ones.

*****

Please KEEP Tulane athletics in division I.

Why in the world would Tulane make this issue public? Even if the committee decides not to make a change, consider the damage to recruiting. Making this issue public was very unfair to the Tulane coaches and athletes. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot!.

*****

President Cowen and all others on the board deciding the fate of Tulane Athletics: If you cannot see the error of your thinking on possibly moving Tulane out of Division I, then none of you should be in a decision making position with the University. If you are going to move the athletics out of Division I to a Division III level, then you may as well eliminate athletics altogether at the university. You will not only lose recruits, which represent not only gifted athletes but also good students, but you will also lose the support of the local community and alumnae. If the members of the board are looking back to the days of games on campus, then they need to pay to build a new stadium. There is no way that a Division III team at Tulane will draw the crowds that athletics draws now.

It is inconceivable to me that with the success of our programs over the past 10 years that the powers that be would even consider making a foolish move such as this. We have been successful in all of the major sports in the past 10 years and still managed to maintain a top 15 graduation rate and a reputation for not "sliding" athletes in under the admissions guidelines. In the past 10 years we have had a women's basketball that has consistently qualified for the NCAA tournament…which brings revenue and recognition to the school. We have had a baseball team that has consistently made the NCAA regionals, they have hosted a sold out regional, and have made the CWS…which brings revenue and recognition to the school. We have had a football team that has had a 12-0 season and made two bowl appearances in the past 5 years…which brings revenue and recognition to the school. We have had a men's basketball that has made the NCAA tournament and NIT tournaments…which brings revenue and recognition to the school. We have had men's and women's teams that have consistently been ranked players and done well in the NCAA tournament…which brings revenue and recognition for the school. If this move is all about revenue, then the members of the board need to take Beau Parent's accounting class and realize that the revenue from a Division III program will be significantly less than that of a bottom Division I program. If making this move is to gain the school a more competitive place in the athletics world, then you only need to look at the results of the past 10 years to realize we are a competitive program and we are doing it with dignity. You will not have the scandals of Florida State or Georgia at Tulane, because our coaches recruit educated, motivated, and truly classy athletes.

As a Tulane Alumnus living in New Orleans I continually hear that Tulane has lost a generation of fans in the New Orleans area….by making a ridiculous, self serving, unfounded move such as moving our athletics programs to Division III, Tulane will lose an entire generation of athletic supporters, both locals and alumnae. This would be the worst move the university could ever make and would end up costing them more than the university could EVER save.

*****

Dear President Cowen and Committee Members,

I do not envy the position you are currently in. I assume that many of us have strong opinions of where Tulane's future should be in regard to athletics.

As a five yr. employee of Emory University, I would like to share my observations of how Emory students and alumni feel and participate in their sports program. First, Emory is ranked extremely high in this area. For many yrs., it has been the recipient of the Sears Cup - an award that goes unnoticed not only by our students, but also our parents and alumni. It is like a secret that a university that strives for academic excellence can also manage an athletic program that is quite successful! The problem is that Emory constituents (students, faculty/staff, alumni) do not support the events. Hardly anyone attends the games (w/ exception to swimming due to an incredible Parent Booster Club) and hardly anyone keeps up with the wins and losses of these amazing scholar-athletes.

Even though I do feel that transferring to Div. III could be beneficial in regard to enhancing Tulane's goal for academic excellence, I fear that the cost will be the lack of student community. Here at Emory, I see the students involved in their small groups (whether it be Greek Life, Volunteer Emory, or Religious groups), however, it is rare (maybe once or twice a year), when this constituent base interacts as an whole group. Because of this, there is a lack of school spirit that I believe is key to alumni support. Sure, the students like Emory a lot, but they don't love it and worse, their memories of college will evolve around 10 friends rather than the entire school. I must say that my memories of Tulane evolve not only around my days in Newcomb Senate or sorority life, but also around athletic events that gave me the opportunity to spend time with people who I shared a common bond - our University. We all chose Tulane, b/c it was the perfect fit for us.

So, if you do plan to make this decision and move to Division III, I beg you as an alum of Tulane, to begin creating programs that instill community - because unfortunately, Div. III will not have the same effect of school spirit.

Please feel free to email or call me with any questions. I will be more than glad to provide more information about Emory's program.

With love to my alma mater! Go Green Wave!

*****

I have signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at Tulane University. It would be an absolute travesty to see Tulane change to any other division, conference, or level. I signed with the intention of coming to Tulane as a wonderful academic school with one incredible athletic department. I signed to play at the highest division one level, not to play division II, III or a lower division I level. If I had wanted to play at another level, I would not have signed with Tulane. I cannot speak for the entire athletic department, as I do not have all the facts, but the Baseball team should not be moved to another level. A change would kill programs as many of the top athletes would be "abandoning ship" to find another program in which to complete. Please take into the consideration all of the athletes who put their heart and soul into their sport to be the best before even thinking about changing the current situation. I know that if Tulane changed to division II or III, I personally, and I believe others too, would be in search of another place to play.

*****

Great Universities and strong athletic programs go hand in hand. Any suggestion to the contrary is preposterous. Tulane's primary purpose and driving force is academic strength. Having strong, Division I athletics to compliment the academic environment is paramount to maintaining the school's reputation. Without a high level athletics program, Tulane would lose a great deal of exposure and marketing. Additionally, Tulane would suffer financially through a huge drop in donations on a school wide level. To suggest that Tulane may drop to Division III is disgraceful.

*****

I don't know where to start. I will only add to some of the great comments that other alums have posted supporting Tulane's continued participation in major college sports by saying that if Cowan and the intelligentsia demote athletics to a lower tier, I will never donate a dime to the school, nor will I recommend it in any fashion to the parents of prospective students.

*****

While I realize the financial burden of Division I athletics, it is the one way that alums outside of Louisiana can feel a constant "connection" with the university. Any move to a lower level of competition would clearly sever that connection and result in no more financial support from me to Tulane.

Please keep the Green Wave spirit alive.

*****

To President Cowen: Changing Tulane University from Div. I to II would be a mistake as big as taking the Sugar Bowl off of a college campus. As a former alumni and former President of the Business School I feel that Tulane Football and sports in general were a huge part of the college life. Tulane University is one of the top 15 schools for academic and gradating athletes. Also, Tulane is great example of a Div. 1 school that is able to balance academic excellence and 26 Conference USA champions.

*****

I am a 1985 graduate of Tulane University. I feel very strongly that Tulane should remain a Division I school and remain part of a major conference. I believe that the recognition and success that Division I sports programs bring to the school are critical to the school's reputation. I also believe that donations form alumni, such as myself, will greatly decrease if you make the move to Division III sports. Please do not make the move from Division I to Division III.

*****

In about two weeks I will be graduating from Newcomb College, and that by itself is scary. That coupled with the possibility that my beloved Green Wave might be playing ball in any division besides Div 1 is truly horrifying. This evening for me was spent that the Superdome watching Tulane defeat LSU. As a New Orleans native seeing Tulane beat LSU is one of those great pleasures in life. I don't want that taken away from future generations of fans. It's naive to think that LSU would agree to play Tulane anymore if TU goes to Division 3. Big SEC schools just don't do that.

One thing that struck me as particularly odd about the timing of the announcement of the appraisal/review of the athletic program is just how close it was to when the college decision deadline is. I can't imagine why anyone would have thought that the end of April was a good time to announce this news. It doesn't paint the university in a good light because it looks as if there are problems that don't exist. It gives the impression of conflict which has turned out to be a reality. These are not messages that a University should be sending during the last few days of decision making for prospective students.

The last four years have involved countless baseball and football games. This season I've made it to nearly every home baseball game and did attend every home football game. There are lots of students who care and like being involved in supporting Tulane athletics. I for one don't know how I could justify donating to a school that takes away from others what I have loved while here.

Bring the sports back to campus. If you build it, they will come.

*****

As a Tulane College sophomore, Iâm pretty realistic when it comes to Tulane athletics. I realize we donât have a chance in hell to be a respectable football team, and I also realize that our fan support is pretty shoddy; HOWEVER, please do not force me to endure my two remaining years as a D3 school. I think itâs an outright slap in the face to the students and the alumni to give up on our athletics by removing them from the best competition in the country. Whatâs especially disappointing is that this announcement comes at a time when are athletics are having such tremendous success. Allow me to reminisce: Football won a Bowl Game, Baseball took 2 out of 3 from LSU, Girls Bball made the NCAA tourney, Menâs AND Womenâs Tennis both won the C-USA championship, and to top it off (as a huge college basketball fan) I got to see both perennial #1 Kentucky and Final Four contender Marquette play against our improving Menâs team. And if thatâs not enough, how about Byron Parkerâs mind-boggling display in the College Slam Dunk competition? Remember that Byronâs prowess was seen on nationwide TV. We need to realize what an ego boost that could give our athletic department.

Instead of all this talk about dropping down, we need to focus on how to move up. We need to schedule the UKâs, Marquetteâs, and Louisvilleâs in basketball, and keep the Texasâs coming in football. The answer isnât a drop in competition, but an increase. Only playing against BETTER schools will make our own teams improve, and if the University gets behind them, then so will the students! How can the University expect both students and alum to give support if the administration takes such a lackluster stand on athletics? Those people who say they donât care about Tulane athletics either do so because they donât like sports in general or because they see that the administration doesnât care, so why should they?

Keep us in D1. Make us stronger, not weaker. Do the right thing.

*****

My late father came to Tulane Medical School from Hawaii and graduated in the class of 1937 because of Tulane football!!!

Upon graduating, he stayed and reared 4 children and became a successful Pathologist in New Orleans. Three of us children attended Tulane (one graduated) and five grandchildren attended and graduated. He also was a long time donor and supporter of the Medical School and became a Tulane Associate until his death last year-- January 3, 2002.

Also, he followed football and basketball until his death. Because of his influence, we, his family are quite loyal also. My older brother (graduate of the class of 1968, I think) has treated 14 of us family members to season football games since the 1960's and he has basketball season passes and attends baseball games too. I think he also served as a physician for a team once and is a Tulane Associate and Green Wave Club member.

Our family members now have degrees from the schools of engineering,law and business as well as medicine. I am a graduate of Newcomb with a BS in Zoology and a Master's in Education from the Graduate School and my late husband graduated from the medical school in 1962 and was on the medical school staff for many years.

Tulane's sports program may not have always had the best results in the past but we, the family, and many more of our friends have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Tulane Sports program by supporting the teams. We are so loyal that we have always stayed till the bitter end, never leaving the game until it is over-- even when the score was overwhelming and Tulane had no chance of winning.

The Sports program may not have excelled in winning a lot of games/seasons but it certainly has influenced us and a lot of families like ours in attending the games and supporting the university.

So our family is proof that the sports program is not a failure for the university and we would appreciate the Tulane Sports Programs to be not only continued but encourage you to not downgrade the programs in any sense.

*****

To Whom It May Concern:

I have been asked by Athletic Director Dickson to communicate my opinion on the issue of athletics at Tulane University as currently being reviewed by a board of advisors.

This is it: Boardmembers and University administrators, DO NOT BACK AWAY FROM YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TRADITIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY NOR TO YOUR LEGAL AND MORAL COMMITMENTS TO YOUR SCHOLARSHIP ATHLETES, ATHLETIC STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY OF NEW ORLEANS WHO SUPPORT THOSE TRADITIONS AND PROGRAMS! STICK WITH THE CURRENT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE AFFILIATIONS AND STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPETITION! The best "advice" that could come from the "review" would be a directive to the University President and athletic administration to FIGHT their adversaries in the arena of competition, i.e. the BCS/NCAA-elite conferences cabal, DEMANDING a more equitable share of the TV money and to endorse and finance vigorous marketing initiatives in the community.

*****

I couldn't beleive when I first heard about this meeting.

I almost gave up on the program with this kind of talk.

The program has a bright future in my opinion and these talks have got to stop for it to continue.I have been a fan all my life and I will continue through thick and thin. The program is hurting itself with this ridiculous talk.

*****

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am a graduate of the A.B. Freeman School of Business, BSM Finance 2001, and I am writing to you to express my dismay at the prospects of possible changes to the Tulane Athletic Program. As a law student at the University of Miami, I now more then ever see the importance of having a strong athletic club, if for know other reasons the national attention and monies generated (through revenues and through endowments which undoubtedly have a historic relationship with collegiate sports). In short with sparing you any generalized theory of sports and higher education, I quite frankly will see my interest in maintaining a relationship with Tulane University severely diminish if the athletics program is demoted (and clearly the rumored planned moves will constitute a demotion). I hope that my opinion is taken into consideration and I thank you for your time and attention.

*****

I strongly believe that the University should continue to support the school's participation in IA sports. Tulane has a long tradition of not only academic excellence, but also sports achievement (while maintaining its academic excellence). It would be a crime to let our alma mater sink to lower ranks. KEEP MY SCHOOL AND MONEY IN DIVISION IA.

*****

Dont even think about changing the Athletic program. It would be a terrible financial move.

*****

As a 1995 graduate of Tulane College, and a 2000 graduate of Tulane School of Medicine, I believe athletics at Tulane is an instrumental component of the University. As a student at Tulane, being able to watch Division I athletics is one aspect that attracted me to this fine academic institution and clearly distinguishes it from other schools in the south like Emory, which does not have Division I athletics. I think many academically talented high school students will have second thoughts of attending Tulane if this important part of college life is eliminated. Tulane athletics has a rich tradition and this should not be forgotten. Our football team received national attention just a few months ago for its extremely successful season. I ask, why this sudden change in the direction of the university? Thank you.

*****

President Cowen,

I was ASB President in the early 1980s. During my administration the issue of whether or not to continue the football program briefly surfaced. I was of the mindset then, as I am now, that our University has a proud tradition supporting our athletic program and nothing was going to stop that. I was a great advocate for "WAVE CRAZE"!

Our athletic teams bring so much joy to the students and alumni who 'bleed for the wave". Even now I get on the internet to check the scores during basketball, football and baseball seasons.

It seems silly to me to even consider the policy that is being floated about concerning our athletic program. If the Board of Administrators does the unthinkable, then I am afraid of what that would mean for Tulane. During the debate in the late 70's and 80's the argument was made that we should look at Emery and how successful that school is without a major sports program. My response then,as it is now, is that we should not compare Tulane with any other university of college in the nation. Tulane and New Orleans has it's own uniquness. That's why students flock to come to college here.

I am hopeful that the Board will act wisely and with foresight by keeping our tradition alive.

*****

The goal for academic excellence is very commendable, but good academics is not inconsistent with good athletics. Stanford University is probably about the same size as Tulane University. The Ad hoc committee should carefully evaluate athletic programs at Stanford before giving any recommendation on this matter. Similarly, Northwestern, Cal Berkeley, Harvard, Yale, are examples of other good academic centers who are also very bold with their athletic programs, regardless of whether they win or loose. Columbia University football team still holds the national record in games lost--at one time they had a long streak of consecutive loses, but they played anyway! Tulane can build a good, winning athletic program and tradition.

To have a division 3 athletic program will be to inadvertently represent Tulane as a division 3 academic institution in the minds of most members of the general public who will equate the athletic class with the academic class of the University. This perception is contrary to the goal of achieving academic excellence. Since most ordinary people do not read the Gourmand's report or US News and world report to know how a school is ranked academically, their perception and extrapolations from this division 3 school is everything-- and it is not likely to be pretty!

Have you asked former student athletes from Tulane who are professional football players in the NFL what they think about dropping down Tulane to a division 3 school? That may be the motivation they need to pump in enough money to Tulane to wipe out the 5M deficit! In additon such professional players can be recruited to participate in fund raising activities to raise funds for the athletic department.Two of my sons are student athletes at University of California Berkeley.I have some other children who are excellent student athletes, and I have given strong consideration to sending them to Tulane--even though I know they will get into Stanford if they applied there. If Tulane becomes a division 3 school, there will be no chance whatsoever that I will send any of them to Tulane or any division 3 school, even if such school is ranked number one in the nation academically.As a matter of fact, my two boys who went to Berkeley were highly recruited by Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Columbia.While we liked what these schools offered academically, we turned them down because my children and I felt that their athletic talents will be wasted at those schools. So we narrowed our considerations to Stanford, Berkeley and Northwestern; we finally chose Berkeley.

The goal at Tulane should be to strive for athletic excellence as well as academic excellence. It is not easy, but easy tasks do not build preeminent Universities. If the vision and will is there(and I believe it is) creative approaches can be found to get the job done. I am not an alumni, but I am a very good friend of the University. Stanford is a small private University, perhaps a little smaller than Tulane in student enrollment. In many circles, Stanford is known more for her athletic excellence than their academic excellence. Don't dwell on the 5M lost by the athletic department; instead, set up an appropriate committee who will work hard to raise funds nationwide to eliminate the 5M loss, and let them also make recommendation on things that can be done to raise the income from the athletic department so it can become self- supporting.

*****

Dear Dr Cowen and committee members

My wife and I are Tulane graduates who enjoyed 4 fabulous years in New Orleans from 1990-1994. My wife was a varsity tennis player and I was a loyal supporter of the athletic teams. I was one of the first two people to get in line camping out for tickets for the USM ESPN game in 1992. Going to sporting events was a fun and very memorable part of both of our college lives.

Since graduation we have lived out of state but return frequently for games. I made every home game of the undefeated season in 98 even though I was going through my fourth year of medical school. Sporting events are times when we get to see old friends and come back and visit the city and school that was so important to us.

I know that nothing that I have said so far will erase the financial challenges that the univerity face but I implore you to keep Tulane at it's current status in Division 1A. Both my wife and I are now physicians and I can not tell you how much good publicity our teams give our university. I am asked by my collegues all the time about Tulane after we play on TV. On Christmas of this year Tulane received 4 hrs of prime time national TV exposure in the Hawaii bowl. Without fail the announcers appropriately mentioned how Tulane was a fine academic institution and that our players graduate at rate second to none. A price tag can not be placed on this kind of exposure.

Rather than drop down classifications I think Tulane should invest in it's athletic programs. I believe that with some hard work and commitment from the university we can have even more success both on the field and at the turnstiles. I think that a TU should look strongly at building with the city of New Orleans and open air football stadium on or very close to Tulane's campus. This would give everyone the college atmosphere we are looking for. Just look at the response that we had last year at city park even with all of the rain and mud.

Finally, and I think most importantly, once TU decides to stay D1A I think it needs to join forces with all of the other non BCS schools to fight the injustice which is the BCS. There is money out there but it is not shared equally or appropriately. The rich just get richer and the poor get poorer. TU along with all the non BCS teams help make the BCS teams money yet get nothing in return.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion and please keep Tulane where it belongs...on the Division 1A playing fields.

Roll Wave

*****

I am the proud father of two Tulane alumni---both former tennis players. Even though neither my wife nor I attended Tulane, we feel very connected to the school through our children. Both received an excellent education at Tulane---part of that education was participation in Division I athletics. I plan to contribute financially to help keep Tulane in Division I. I hope that the Administration finds a way to keep Tulane a "Divsion I" university both academically as well as athletically..

*****

Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for keeping Tulane at the Division I A level. Living far from New Orleans, I cannot attend athletic events as I would like but I have regularly contributed to the University and the Athletics department for many years. Division I A athletics allows me to follow the school on a daily basis, gives a broader range of potential students an awareness of the university, and brings more diversity to campus. I will continue to support the university but if Tulane were to drop below Division I A, I would give less. In addition, I would likely steer my 13 year old son to a different school for college.

Instead of changing the current status of the athletics program, I would recommend that the Board adopt a set of reasonable financial conditions that the Athletics Department must satisfy. This is likely in place already and, if so, please just stay the course. Thanks again,

*****

I am an Atlanta representative of the Tulane Alumni Admissions Committee. When I go out to "sell" the school to high school students at Lovett, Westminster, Pace and Woodward Academy (graduates of these schools can go anywhere), one of the primary differences that I always point out between Tulane and other private, academics-oriented universities of similar size is the Division IA status of our sports teams. Emory has a much lower national profile than Vandy and Tulane because of the lack of visibility in its athletic program. In my opinion, the cost of scaling down the program in any way far exceeds any benefits to the University to be derived therefrom. The recent success stories from our athletics program (e.g., Christmas Eve bowl game, College World Series) enhance the life of the school in ways that cannot be measured. In business terms, it is called goodwill. Stanford University is the model that Tulane should be following (i.e., superior academics with excellent, nationally-competitive sports teams). Tulane needs to commit to more resources for athletics, not less.

I find it interesting that alumni from Southern Miss. are having to literally beg us to stay in Division IA. It would be an embarrassment for Tulane and its alumni to scale back the athletics program. It would be a slap in the face of all of those who constructed the rich heritage of the mighty Tulane Green Wave. Distinguished alumnus Judge John Minor Wisdom used to tell stories about jumping over the fence at the old Sugar Bowl when he was a kid to see the Green Wave play football on Saturdays. I had never before seen Tulane school spirit like I did at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis during Sean King's final season. There were men there with 40-year old Tulane letterman's jackets. So, what to do? We need to buy some property adjacent to campus, build a new football stadium that seats 40,000 and call it (yeah, you right, cher) the SUGAR BOWL.

*****

I am an alum (A&S '83) and would strongly support a decision by Tulane to leave Division I athletics and would prefer that it compete at the Division III level. My view is based on the simple proposition that I am unable to reconcile the fundamental vision of the university (a vision with which I agree) of "enhanced academic quality and impact" with a Division I athletic program.

*****

I will not miss the athletics program. From what I know, I belive it to be a huge financial drain on the university. If we are not ranked at the top of the sport's list compared to other universities, then we should move on focus on what we do best.

*****

Dear Mr. Dickson,

Thank you for your letter. I have been reading about the proceedings regarding the status of Green Wave Athletics with great consternation. My son will be an incoming Freshman at Tulane in the fall as a scholarship athlete, joining the bowl winning Green Wave football team. I would hate to see a committee decide the fate of Tulane Athletics without fully exhausting every single possibility of remaining a Division I-A competitor.

You have demonstrated your commitment and capabilities of assuring this in your tenure at Tulane. I am confident that in reaching out to past, present and future students, family, friends and supporters that we can rally together to further the tradition of Tulane University and its proud athletic achievements.

My son, as thousands of alumni before him, made the decision to attend Tulane based on both. I encourage you, applaud you and implore you to use that dedicated base of Tulane, Green Wave and New Orleans supporters to create a swell of pride and in pouring of contributions to demonstrate that changing the current status of Tulane Athletics is NOT an option. In my opinion, you need to generate a massive letter (not just email) writing campaign, generate press releases, work the phones and whatever else it takes to generate a funding goal before a committee decision is reached and it is too late. I will be sending my check to the Tulane Athletics Fund and standing by to assist you in whatever way you ask. Please keep me posted.

Roll Wave!!!

*****

A few comments regarding the Div I-A review:

- My understanding (I may have the details slightly shifted) is that if you combined the football graduation rate with the on-field success of all teams in Div I-A, Tulane would be ranked #2 in the nation, just behind Notre Dame. This is the type of Athletic Program a vast majority of other Div I-A schools are in awe of, and the kind of program that the Tulane community can be proud of.

- Over the last two years, the athletic department has made a number of marketing promotions and venue additions to attract and expand the fan base for the overall athletic program. I think they have done an excellent job to-date, and achieving full success in these endeavors does take several years, as you build upon the fan base.

- Events are a tough sell in New Orleans; there is a lot of competition (as you know). Thanks to the programs in place to highlight games and events in numerous sports, I have brought my family to nearly all the football games in the last three years, several Lady Wave basketball games, and several baseball games. I look forward to the continued enjoyment with my family and the Tulane family at these Division I-A events.

*****

Dr. Cowen,

As a Tulane alumnus and avid sports fan I wish to state to you my desire to keep Tulane at the Division-I level for intercollegiate athletics. I found it odd that the issue has even been raised regarding this at first. It wasn't until I began to read about these rumors over the Internet on some of the popular websites related to Tulane athletics that I even found out about this. I am one of the many alums who do not live in the New Orleans area. I follow the school's athletic teams and take great pride in seeing our programs compete in Division-I. This period of Tulane athletics has been very prosperous for the University. The accomplishments we've had of late are the sort that the school should build off of, not walk away from. I have read the e-mails and correspondences you've solicited and gotten regarding the matter. The overwhelming sentiment is to keep Tulane at Division-I... It means a great deal to alumni, students, supporters, fans and even our rivals that we stay at this particular level of play.

Upon hearing of this rumor and following this ongoing news regarding this matter, I have taken it upon myself to learn a little more about you, Dr. Cowen. I have never formally met you, but I do recall seeing you at the Tulane-Rutgers pre-game tent party in 1998. At that time I got the impression you were a president who was firmly behind athletics at Tulane. You were outgoing and into the pre-game festivities. Seeing you there and also reading abut you in the Hullabaloo led me to believe we finally had a pro-athletics president at Tulane., someone who appreciated the role athletics played at Tulane , someone who was not like his predecessor Eamon Kelly, who was a fine president , but no real fan of athletics. Seeing that you had your face painted in Tulane Olive Green and was enthusiastic about our 1998 undefeated Football team and our 2000 College World Series Baseball team led me to believe we of the Tulane community finally got it right - a President who knows and supports athletics at Tulane!

Now all this. Talk of secret Ad hoc meetings, e-mails to students during exams, Board members picked by you with anti-athletic sentiments, articles in the local papers about a drop down to Div-III; it's all surprising and embarrassing. I knew it was serious when I saw that the Athletic Director posted an open letter to Tulane fans and supporters to donate to the TAF. The fact the alumni haven't been included (or apparently considered) by the Ad hoc committee for input in this matter concerns me even more. Why must we debate this issue when our athletic program is successful and doing things the right way? We are finally winning (with some consistency no less) and we are graduating athletes at a rate higher than the norm. We may want to be "Harvard of the South", but we're more likely becoming "Stanford of the South". No shame in either of those comparisons. With what we've accomplished already, Tulane needs to invest in our gains in athletics and seek to build off what we've developed already. You know this. In fact, you made it part of your Mission Statement soon after you took over as president at Tulane. In your Strategic Plan for the University - Titled:

Creating Tulane's Future: A Distinguished University as Distinctive as New Orleans - Strategic Action Plan
Approved by the University Senate November 1, 1999
Revised July 20, 2000

You list under - Initiative 3: Community - Esprit de Corps

Create a strategy for competing in Division 1A intercollegiate athletics while sustaining a financially viable athletics program.

This to me says it all in regards to the matter. Your strategic plan for the future of the university clearly had Tulane remaining a Division-I member factored into it. Your strategic plan includes making the program viable financially. These goals are part of the plan you committed to. It should be followed. You understood when you became president how important Division-I athletics were to the University. You should pick up a copy of that Strategic Plan and re-read it. You should print out a copy of these e-mails you've gotten and read them all. Then you should work on forming an Ad hoc committee made up off all parties of interest for athletics - students, alumni, faculty, supporters, fans and people of the New Orleans community and work on ways to make athletics work at Tulane. Find ways to develop a fan base. Find ways to raise money for the program. Find ways to make athletics special to those who live in the area, who remember it from when they were younger. Find a way to make it work. Make it work at the Division-I level. We have a good athletic director in Rick Dickson. He set up the Tulane Athletic Fund as a means to raise money for the department. That is a good start. With all that's going on, I plan to contribute. The challenge before you to do this may not be easy, but the cause is right and it's what the people want. We should not back down form making Tulane athletics great. We've made great strides already, we need to continue to do so…After all, it was your goal for the Future of Tulane.

*****

As a proud Tulane alumna, I think Tulane would be taking a huge step in the wrong direction by moving to Division III. I will soon be in a position to give back to the university that has given me so much, and I would have a very tough time donating to a Division III school. Although I do not live in the New Orleans area, I do make a point to attend Tulane athletic events throughout the year. I enjoy the comraderie and the opportunity to show my school spirit. I believe the athletic program gives Tulane a great deal of publicity among prospective students as well as the business community, and moving to Division III would not only hurt the diversity of student applications, it would hurt your alumni by allowing the Tulane University name to all but disappear from common knowledge. As a well-rounded, intelligent former student, I know that the opportunity to attend and participate in Division IA sporting events was a big part of my decision process in choosing a university, and I think it would be a shame if students like myself chose to attend other great schools with Division IA athletics over Tulane University!

*****

As a former varisty Tulane athlete, I appreciate the opportunity to have competed in Division 1 Athletics. Nevertheless, I am dismayed by the disparity of treatment for Tulane's athletic programs. Tulane's tradition of Men's Track and Cross Country was ended without much concern, and I do not feel that football is deserving of the special treatment it continuously receives.

Let Tulane put its sparce resources in to an athletic program that supports a student-athlete, and not athletes who happen to study. Tulane may preserve its tradition of athletics by affirming its commitment to academics. If this means sacrificing the moniker of Division 1, so be it.

*****

As a Tulane alumni, I urge you NOT to drop Div 1A athletics. Tulane athletics is a great source of pride around the country for alumni. Dropping down to Div III or some other division would be devastating.

*****

As a Paul Tulane graduate of the class of 1996, I am strongly in favor of remaining in Division I. I can't say how exciting it is to see Tulane competing in events like the Liberty Bowl and the Hawaii Bowl or in NCAA Regional and Super Regionals and the CWS. We need to stay!

*****

I am an alumni of the law school. As an undergraduate, I competed at the division I level for my alma mater, Davidson College and strongly believe that intercollegiate athletics should be an integral part of the education process. Unfortunately, I do not share the same fondness of Tulane's athletic program as I do for that of my college alma mater.

Tulane's former swim coach, Bill Lloyd, was my first age group coach, and I know him to be an upstanding individual. I do not know the exact circumstances under which he was run out of Tulane and the swim team(s) disbanded, but I have heard persistent rumors that either this was caused by Mack Brown's desire to control the athletic facility and have access to more funds for the football program, or as an ancillary effect of reinstating the basketball team that was disbanded for illegally throwing games. As a result, I generally regard Tulane's athletic department with contempt. Perhaps a move to Division III could help Tulane focus on the basics of (1) academics, (2) financial aid for the needy and talented, and (3) athletic programs that are part of the educational process and geared towards more students.

*****

Tulane needs to stay in Division I for all major athletic programs! I believe that failure to do so will have a material adverse effect on the morale of the University, as well as hurt the school financially in the long term!

Mr. Cowen, in your latest missive, you state, "the board and senior university leadership are being guided by what course of action most effectively allows the university to fulfill its academic mission and goals." I am hopeful that the board and senior leadership are (1) cognizant of the positive effects that a visible, top quality athletic program can have on our educational institution; and (2) not misguided by the fallacy academics and athletics do not influence each other.

The athletic programs have come so far recently and, bottom line, keep a lot of alumni involved (financially and otherwise) with our University. Please don't mess this up!

*****

Dr. Cowan: I am a very loyal Tulane alum from the medical school class of 1961, followed by three years of residency on the Tulane OB_GYN service at Charity Hospital.

Living in the midwest and being in the Kansas City area and a member of the award winning Kansas City alumni chapter I am always very proud whenever Tulane makes the news. The news is almost always in regards to athletics. I will give a few examples.

1.) I have newspaper headlines and stories framed in my office from when Tulane defeated LSU in 1973.

2.) I have the "perfect season" plaque from the undefeated 1998 football team on my wall along with souvenirs from the 1998 Liberty bowl which I attended with you and many and proud Tulane alums.

3.) How proud I was to have the Tulane baseball team in the college world series in Omaha, Nebraska close by.

4.) The Christmas day Hawaii Bowl victory over the University of Hawaii was thrilling to my entire family and has been the subject of many con- versations I've had with loal people who know I am a Tulane alum.

5.) Then there is all the free publicity Tulane gets from NFL games with Shawn King and Patrick Ramsey. Whenever they are playing I get phone calls from friends who hear their names announced as products of Tulane University.

Needless to say Dr. Cowan, I am very hopeful that Tulane will continue its tradition and presence in the world of college athletics.

*****

For many years I have felt that participation in Division 1 athletics is totally inconsistent with the combined academic mission and resources of Tulane University. Institutions as well as individuals face difficult choices as they and the world around them change. While It is true that some world-class research universities maintain high profile athletic programs, these institutions typically have greater financial resources than Tulane. I believe that if Tulane aspires to be: " One of the most distinguished and respected universities anywhere" it must focus its energy and resources on "enhanced academic quality and impact" --even at the expense of eliminating it's Division 1 athletic status.

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