Questions and Comments We've Received

June 3, 2003

I have now the disposable income to begin donating to the numerous Tulane requests for donations.

If Tulane decides to drop the football program. My donations will stop and never restart.

The football program is integral part of the school just as the engineering department.

*****

Mr. Kelly, President of Tulane University:

I am a 1980 Graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences at Tulane University. My stance on the above subject is that if football, basketball or baseball is done away with or reduced to a Division 3 level, Tulane will NEVER receive one cent of support from me or anyone in my family. My children, who bleed Tulane blue, will not attend a University that is second rate in their pursuit of either academic or athletic excellence.

Attendance at football games has been sorely lacking but the answer is not to do away with it. Mr. Kelly, I remember how you were painted green and blue during the 1998 football season and who you led the student in cheers for the team. Don't take the athletic experience away from future Tulane students. Please don't make me and other graduates of this proud University ashamed by discontinuing or reducing the athletic programs to Division 3. We must find another way.

I look forward to my children attending Tulane and being an active donor to Tulane University both athletically and academically. This can only happen if both programs are around for them to experience.

Thank you for your time.

*****

I am not pleased with the prospect of having Tulane drop athletics. I think it would hurt the school's stature. Also, the June 3rd Washington Times, already has Tulane dropping division I sports. I felt terrible about that prospect. I do give to the athletic dept.

*****

President Cowen,

If what I hear is true and you are the driving force behind the effort to eliminate Tulane football, you can be assured of the following: 1. I will continue to support the TAF and the other sport programs at Tulane in spite of you and your efforts to ruin Tulane athletics. 2. As an Alum of Tulane, I will never give another penny to the Alumni fund.

*****

I am a fairly active alum, living in Baton Rouge. While I understand the need to continually review where we are, and where we are going; I am concerned about how this particular issue is being handled. I am hoping that all of the current publicity results in a positive outcome (whatever that may be).

Personally, I love sports. I am hoping that this matter raises the awareness of our local communities of the need to support our local teams. Unfortunately, most of the current publicity appears to be negative for Tulane.

I am very much in favor of remaining Division 1 for all sports. We are a major University, in the deep South, with a long history in sports (especially football). I was born and raised in Connecticut and one of the primary reasons I knew that Tulane existed was through sports. I think that we all realize that I am not the only one who can say this.

An LSU friend of mine suggested on many occasions that we offer very reduced admissions to football games to all kids wearing their school or "midget" football game jerseys. While admitting kids for $1 seems like a bad decision on the surface, it would get fans in the building and, more importantly, it may get people in the habit of attending games. Over the years, that may pay off.

We are not Yale (where my father attended), Harvard, or MIT. It would take years for us to reach their standards. To think that dropping football, or even moving down in class, would help us get there in the near future is difficult to imagine.

Most of us, including those working in the media, do not have a complete understanding of what it takes to compete at the Division 1 level. Therefore, it is easy to see why this has turned into a situation creating negative publicity. Hopefully, this will be "cleared up" next week.

Hopefully, with a plan to remain Division 1, with a clear expectation of where we are headed with Football.

Football is one of the best marketing tools a University has. We get newspaper and television coverage throughout the fall, on a national basis. If it is losing $, try to look at it as Marketing expense!!

*****

I'm just wondering how a President who has been here for 5 years can abolish a program that has been here for 110 years. To actually even consider getting rid of the football program is completely ridiculous. Just because President Cowen has failed to fundraise and manage the university's finances why do the students, athletes, alumni and thousands of Tulane fans who have been following this program for years have to suffer. This man has been in New Orleans for 5 years, this is the same guy who painted his face for football games and proclaimed his love for the football program. Now all of a sudden he's ready to get rid of it due to his own inadequacies? I've never seen such a deceitful and two-faced move in my life. If you think that Tulane is having financial problems now just wait for there to be no more football. Donations will drop, enrollment will, any interest from the residents in New Orleans will cease to exist. This decision will not only destroy the football program, but it will destroy Tulane University. In one month Rick Dickson has proven that there is a great interest in not only Tulane football, but Tulane athletics as a whole. However, the interest only exists at the Division 1-A level. This is not Case Western, Division III sports don't work in the south. Personally, I wouldnt want to be the man responsible for ending a 110 year old football program. How is President Cowen going to be able to show his face in the city of New Orleans if he orchestrates this terrible move? Oh, wait he doesnt show his face because he's too big of a CowARD, where were you for the whole baseball season??

*****

It has been said that Tulane's own Scott Cowen is the main force pushing for a complete dropping of the football program. If that is true then maybe that's why he is always stating that the football players at Tulane DESERVE to be Division I athletes, just not at Tulane. Should these allegations be true then he should be given an Oscar for his performance as a caring president. The boards decision should be made as early on June 10 as possible. They hold not just the future of Tulane football in their hands, but the the lives, careers, and academic futures of those young men who represent Tulane on and off the field in a very distinguished manner.

*****

Please keep Tulane Football alive as it was 30+ years ago. Go Greanwave. Class of '77

*****

Dear Sirs,

I am an '82 graduate from Tulane University. My brother played for Tulane University during he late 70's as a tight end on their football team, and also earned his degree from Tulane University. Both my brother and I wen to Tulane through programs which offered us financial assistance. If not for these program, neither of us could have afforded to receive our education at Tulane University. Also, several of our aunts attended Tulane University and became teachers. Two of our cousins attended Tulane, one in the Naval Rotc program, and one on a Baseball scholarship. I state this to establish a long-term family committment to Tulane University.

>From the time I knew how to pronounce the words, football, green wave, Tulane, they became synonymous with each other. PErsonally i find it absolutely horrible to think that Tulane University is in danger of losing its football and athletics programs due to someone's unfortunate vision of dropping down to Division I_AAA. This woul certainly hurt the university more than can be envisioned at this time. It also would have a very adverse effect on the local economy, too.

The Tulane football and other athletic programs bring in much of the revenues received by the hotels, restaurants, and other local business operations annually.From hosting the Sugar Bowl and other major events. baseball tournaments, track and field events, etc., the university has gained prestige and a reputation for offering a quality program.

If Tulane dropped its football program, i fear that it will lose a great deal from it. Ths school will not attract the local citizens to any of its functions, and the school will lose the status it already enjoys. Also, the city will never again host a bowl game. and the university will lose funds due to that fact alone. So what if we have not won a bowl in recent times? At least we can still get revenue from any bowl hosted here. Many other colleges and universities do the same, Vanderbilt, for one. If anything, Tulane should never have dropped out of the SEC! THe revenues generated fro membership in that conference were still valuable to us!

I think this is not a new idea , though. In many years since I have been old enough to remember, some "Bright" person has always been trying to get rid of Tulane's athletic program. Paul Tulane must be turning over in his grave at the things that have been done to Tulane since he endowed the university.( Take the UC alone, and the beautiful pool that is had! (now a bookstore!... and going to be razed for a parking lot/ no less!) Whether or not the pool was visited by the populace, it still pffers a nice setting for studying and relaxation from the upper level meeting areas in the uc! Besides, I have been to many other universities. They offered several pools at different locations on their campuses! I think the planners made a terrible mistake in taking out the UC pool . It was gorgeous and a relaxing scene to enjoy while studying. And the new building that has been constructed across the street from it on McAlliaster has been a source of much consternation with local residents,. too. Tulane's whole demeanor and embience is losing a lot from the new construction. Next thing you know, they will have put buildings up on the commons, too)! But i digress.

I am definitely againsqt us dropping out of our present division,unless it is to upgrade the level, as in Renewed membership in the SEC! But I am Definitely against ANYTHING that will hurt our athletic program, I.E. DROPPING DOWN TO LEVEL I-AAA(UGH!)! That will definitely be the final nail in the coffin for not only Tulane's football and other athletic programs, but the university itself will suffer from it! Mark my words!

I hope i have stated my opinion clearly enough to be understood and counted in the voting. I am against dropping out of our present division to go to Division I-AAA, as it will hurt the universtiy's athletic programs and the university ,too. I wish this issue will be tabled for good! HOw can the current coaches be axpected to recruit successfully, if the athletes in considerationar e being told by our competitors that to sign with Tulane is to sign away a promising athletic career, because there WILLL NOT BE a program at Tulane University any longer, due to the lack of support for a division I-AAA (substandard program)> What can they be thinking of anyway, to even consider this? While other universities and colleges are looking to upgrade to a higher dividion, Tulane is looking to drop down to a lower division? Oh COME ON! GET WITH THE PROGRAM! BE A FRONT-RUNNER! NOT A HAS BEEN!

*****

While I understand that you are charged with the reponsibility of managing a University, you do not have the right to tinker with a LOCAL institution in the manner in which you have chosen to do so.

We are NEW ORLEANS. You are a transplant and I am sure you have seen over these last several years that New Orleanians are very passionate about our causes.

The disrespect that you have shown the City of New Orleans, your athletic staff employee and the fans is disgraceful.

Don' become another link in the chain that has mismanaged Tulane Athletics. You have the golden opportunity to put a plan in place that will STRENGTHEN the university overall and bring additional pride and respect to New Orleans and to TULANE.

Please do what is right, do not be short-sighted. If there are finincial problems with the University than fix the entire problem.

Our Tulane University DESERVES to be D1. God help us all if you don't realize that!.

*****

To the Board of Administrators:

I write in support of the continuation of intercollegiate athletics at Division I-A level.

I am a graduate of both the College of Arts & Sciences ('71) and the Law School ('80), and my fondness for the University is deep. It has provided me with an education that has enriched my intellectual life and permitted me to obtain professional and personal success beyond my dreams. For that I am exceedingly grateful. But the strongest and most resilient memories of my attachment to Tulane are bound up with the endeavors -- the achievements as well as the disappointments -- of the various intercollegiate athletic teams Tulane has fielded over the years, dating from before I first became a student in 1967 up to the present. And it has been their exploits that I have followed -- in the newspapers as well as on television (when possible here in New York) -- and that remind me, repeatedly, of my affection for and my attachment to Tulane. It probably is not rational, I know. &! nbsp;But it is the truth.

I would like to believe that the elimination of a Division I-A athletic program would have no effect on my attachment to the University. It probably shouldn't. But it will. And I am certain that I am not alone in that view. I want to think of Tulane as a premier institution in the class of Stanford and Duke, an institution which is able to balance a commitment to academic excellence with a commitment to intercollegiate athletics, and which can achieve results at the highest levels in both areas. It is a great source of pride when that occurs -- as it has in the recent past, and indeed just this year. If the university chooses to forego its longtime commitment to intercollegiate athletics, it will be a sign of defeat, and will be perceived as such by many not only in the immediate university community, but beyond. It will be deflating to alumni. It will remove ! Tulane's name measurably from public view.

For better or worse, intercollegiate athletics is a great rallying point for the Tulane community. It is a visible link for alumni all over the country. If you remove it, there will of course be the immediate and obvious tangible damage, including the loss of contributions from disaffected alumni. But more importantly, there will be the intangible effects -- the reduced esprit de corps and national visibility, among others -- whose impact will be long-lasting and perhaps irreversible. They cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Whatever the economic loss incurred by the athletic program, I cannot believe it so large as to outweigh the non-economic benefits the program engenders.

You face a momentous decision with far-reaching implications. I implore you not to deemphasize intercollegiate athletics at Tulane for the sake of some perceived short-term fiscal benefit. I do not believe any lasting benefit came from the decision to deemphasize made in the mid-1950's. I am convinced that lasting damage will occur now if that mistake is repeated.

*****

Dr. Cowen,

I was in the locker room when you addressed our football program after our victory against Louisiana Tech (Thanksgiving '98). I wanted to recall the words that you shared with us:

"You guys made history…More then that you brought a sense of pride back to Tulane, a sense of unity. You made us all winners because you guys are winners. Everybody associated with Tulane University thanks you from the bottom of their heart. God bless all of you guys. You are terrific."

Our student athletes come to Tulane University for the unique opportunity to be able to compete in both the highest levels of athletics and academics. This unique atmosphere has allowed Mr. Dickson and his department to bring in extraordinary students of character. The student athletes, from all over the world, compete passionately on and off the field as ambassadors in the name of Tulane University.

I strongly believe in Tulane University remaining at the Division I level. I think it speaks volumes when our University is in a class that competes against other Universities such as those located in West Point, NY and Annapolis, MD. I ask you and your Board to please allow these scholar athletes to continue to bring "a sense of pride and unity" to Tulane University and our neighbors in New Orleans. God Bless,

*****

By now, everyone has figured out that this is not a "routine" evaluation of athletics as first indicated by Dr. Cowen. Many are now concluding that this carefully orchestrated attempt to deemphasize athletics and/or drop football began many years ago with Cowen's hiring. This exercise has done nothing but create an air of mistrust amongst the alum and the community.

The only way to restore that trust is to keep athletics and football where they are. Rick Dickson is busting his rear end to save our program. The Board should see that it can be saved. Give him and the fans and lum a chance to support this program. Leave Tulane athletics at DI-A.

*****

I have already sent an e-mail in the past, but I felt I needed to send another.

To the powers that be: please give Rick Dickson and others in the Athletic Department the chance to implement his five-year plan. I think it is ludicrous to even suggest cutting the football program or dropping out of Division 1A. With all the success of our student-athletes on and off the field, how can this travesty even be considered? It is amazing what Mr. Dickson has accomplished in the one month since this news broke. I beg of you, give him a chance to continue working to make the Athletic Department (and in return the whole university) the best it can become. Tulane without D-1 athletics is nothing! I personally don't want to imagine life without Tulane Athletics at the highest level, and I refuse to believe that will happen next week.

Roll Wave!

BSM 1994

*****

To those individuals expressing their preference for Tulane to discontinue participating in Divison 1-A football, let me say that I really wouldn't mind having a reasonable discussion on the pro's and con's of the matter.

However, you need to realize that what has enraged those of us who support Tulane continuing in D-1A the most has been the secrecy, duplicitousness, subterfuge and deliberate disinformation in which the cabal who are trying to bring about the end of D-1A football at Tulane have engaged. Leadership involves sometimes taking a bold position, indeed. However, a true leader, and especially one in an academic setting, works to win others over to such a position by educating them and obtaining a true consensus rather than by deception and/or by purely imposing his or her will on them.

The cabal aiming to end D1-A football at Tulane never intended to give the supporters of football a reasonable chance to make their case and to establish a program that's an asset to the campus both in financial and in every other way. Rather, they have intended to secretly, quietly pull the rug out from under the football program and only an onslaught of rumors has prevented them from already having done so.

*****

Taking away 1A football is a sure roadmap to regional university status. The only difference between Tulane and Loyola will be that people won't be willing to pay 27.5K for a regional University. The quality of applicants will erode, further depressing the amount students are willing to pay for a Tulane degree. We live in a TV/Computer generation - disassociating ourselves from television will remove Tulane from the minds of millions.

Tulane's US News rankings have dropped like a rock during the Cowen tenure; the response has been to sell Tulane degrees from strip malls in Mississippi and to drop football. Vision and creativity is obviously in short supply in the office of the Chief Executive and of the Board of Administrators.

The notion that once football is dropped the academic departments will suddenly receive $1 million dollar additions to their budges is ludicrous. Dropping football will COST this school millions - and they now that. This is used as a canard, a red herring - to mask serious problems at the University that football didn't cause and that dropping football won't cure.

The Board has a fiduciary duty to do what is best for TULANE; not what is best for their own personal interests (not liking football or their personal enjoyment of division III), not what is best for Scott Cowen's career, but what is best for TULANE. We shall see if they will actually do that.

*****

I can state the case no more eloquently than so many others have done on this and other forums.

Division 1A athletics in all sports is an essential tool in the maintenance of all important relationships with the community, local government and business leadership, and alumni.

I believe each of these factions have spoken out strongly and frequently against changing the status of any of our athletics programs, especially football.

To the professors who loathe athletics, seek work at a school which shares your views. Division 1A athletics is a part of Tulane University and always has been. One wonders why an anti-athletics professor would seek employment at Tulane to begin with.

Make the right choice on 6/10; a strong commitment to division 1A athletics in all sports, especially football.

*****

Dear Sirs:

I have read with interest the information on Tulane's possible move out of Division 1-A athletics in the past few weeks. I cannot state more equivocally that I think this would be one of the worst mistakes Tulane could ever make.

I attended Tulane on a Dean's Honor Scholarship and graduated magna cum laude from Tulane College with honors in May 2000. When I was looking at schools, what attracted me to Tulane over universities like Yale and Washington University in St. Louis (both schools I was accepted to) was Division I athletics, especially the reputation at the time of Tulane basketball. Many of the friends I made in Butler Hall as a freshman were enthusiastic fans of the Green Wave as well, and even when we went 2-9 in football in 1996, we went to every game. Many of us joined the Tsunami spirit organization, and all of us were on some sort of academic scholarship.

My senior year, my roommates and I went to every athletic contest we could make: football, basketball and baseball.

My point to the story is this: I think the immediate net result of getting rid of athletics will be a drop in the quality of the incoming freshman classes. Students that don't care about big-time college athletics are already going to Emory, Case Western, Wash U or the University of Chicago, and top students who do care about the school spirit and pride that comes with Division I will slip away from Tulane to schools like Northwestern, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest. A quick poll of the current student body would prove or disprove this theory, but I believe the top echelon of Tulane students ó the campus leaders and academic standouts, those people who go on to represent Tulane on the world stage ó are the most ardent sports supporters.

Three years after graduation, I still remember the magical 12-0 football season, I still watch Tulane every time they're on national television (no matter what sport), and I make one road game a year (this fall, I'm going to Austin for the Texas-Tulane game). I realize the university is subsidizing athletics, possibly at the cost of academics and other programs, but I think academics will be hurt more by a drop in student quality than continued subsidization. And what of the drop in alumni giving because of disgruntled Green Wave fans upset their school is going down to Division III? The loss in giving may equal the amount saved by dropping athletics, resulting in no net gain.

Division I college athletics are at a critical juncture in their history, and Tulane is enjoying an unprecedented level of athletic success. There is talk that Tulane's conference, Conference USA, will absorb some of the Big East schools, such as West Virginia and Virginia Tech, if that conference ceases to exist. This could vault C-USA to the upper echelon of Bowl Championship Series schools, meaning more money for the program. Why not wait a few years to see what opportunities emerge?

Leaving Division I at this point would, in my opinion, be a historic mistake, perhaps a larger mistake than leaving the Southeast Conference in the early 1960s. I urge the Board of Administrators to keep the status quo in Tulane athletics.

*****

KEEP TULANE FOOTBALL DIV. I-A!

*****

I think that Tulane should be a Division I College. Thanks.

*****

Dr Cowen I think you are really trying to kill Tulane football. I think it was really underhanded the way this stuff happened. You really don't know anything about New Orleans and fans of Tulane. If you do away with football I hope you get fired and Tulane never gets a penny from people again.

*****

I personally don't care if Tulane has football or not. I suppose there are some who might not attend if football is not an option, but I think Tulane needs to understand its core competence is education and entertainment can be left to others.

*****

I'm horrified to hear that TU is again considering dropping football or dropping from Division I athletics. Tulane should know more than any other institution what a mistake it is to de-emphasize athletics - simply look a that the university's precipitous fall in every category following its decision to de-emphasize athletics and withdraw form the SEC in the 60s. Your committee should look at how much that decision has cost TU over the years in lost television revenues. It's clearly in the tens of millions and, by the way, Vandy is doing quite well. This fall didn't end until TU returned to prominence in football in the early 80s. Students love and enjoy athletics. Alumni love and enjoy athletics. Communities support its local institutions primarily through and because of athletics. A successful Div. I football team brings more free publicity to a university than anything else. How many high school seniors know the number of Rhodes scholars or Fulbrights at TU? Very few. How many knew of TU when we went 12-0? During the televised games, the announcers always mention TU's strong academics, very high student-athlete graduation rate and probably its strongest asset for prospective students - location in New Orleans.

I realize athletics at TU athletics loses money every year, what's new? That's true virtually everywhere and those schools aren't considering such a silly move. Is the administration at TU smarter than the administration at all of those other schools? Please don't make the mistake of assuming that it is. More importantly, you will lose much, much more than the "athletics deficit" in loss of recognition, alumni support, affiliation and donations, and a sense of community for alumni, students, the New Orleans community and I'll bet even the teachers. How else do you think out of town alumni (the vast majority of TU alumni) keep up with TU? It's not through magazine and newsletters that go into the recycle bin.

I've not been the most generous donor to the institution for financial reasons, but I've been a huge fan and supporter over the years, attending numerous sporting events all over and promoting the school from Dallas. Please don't make this horrible mistake again. You will not be forgiven if you do. I personally will give up on TU and when I am in a financial position to be a donor, I will remember this and instead donate it elsewhere.

In conclusion, I will be outraged if the decision is made to drop football from Div. 1 is made.

*****

I have only been on the periphery of Tulane athletics in recent years but I strongly support continued participation at Division 1A because of the recognition it gives to the university in the competition for well rounded students, in the connection it gives to the alumni in a way that is not always just fundraising (usually the only other 'touch' that the the alumni have with the university, and because I love Tulane. Other issues that Tulane might have should not be placed on the back of the athletics department. I have put my money where my mouth is and increased my level of giving in addition to making a 5 yr pledge. In closing, I question the secrecy and misinformation that has surrounded this issue by the university administration. If this 'review' has been going on for the past 6 months, why is it that the university community (students, alumni,fans, contributors, friend and supporters) have just found out about it in the past month ?

*****

please keep tulane division I

*****

In professional endeavors such as mine, reputation is everything. It directly effects an organization's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Reputation is a critical element in not only marketing a product or service, but also in attracting the attention and support of the community for that product or service and the organization as a whole. Recent history presents a wealth of evidence concerning the consequences of reputation lost from Enron to the Tobacco Industry. For many whose "brand names" have become tarnished, the result is bankruptcy, both economically and ethically.

Major college athletics (Division I) have their detractors who focus upon the exploitation of the student-athlete and the other "costs" or "victims" of some programs. Nevertheless, no one argues that a properly managed Division I Athletic Program in compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations and Title IX greatly enhances the "reputation" of the sponsoring college or university. The proof is in the data derived from the undergraduate admission process. When a college or university makes an appearance in a major bowl game or progresses through the brackets of "March Madness," the number of applications from qualified high school students go up, not down. Call it what you will (a national media ripple effect), nevertheless the enhancement to recipient school's reputation is priceless.

For these reasons, Tulane University should continue to maintain its Division I status and support fully all athletic programs and teams. The alternative risks the University fading from the attention of high school students, alumni, and friends residing beyond the borders of the deep south. The alternative will evidence a misguided mission on the part of the University to become a regional college or university, as such descriptive term is used by the U.S. News and World Report Rankings.

*****

Universities are established for higher learning. Athletic contests are in the entertainment category. Focus on making Tulane a world class institution for higher learning; not at the expense of an athletic program.

*****

As an Tulane alumnus, a football season ticket holder for many years, a baseball season ticket holder for the last two years and a frequent attendee of men's basketball and other Tulane sporting events for many years, I wish to state that I will be very disappointed if Tulane does not stay in Division I-A (Division I with football). And as a frequent giver to Tulane over the years, I will be disinclined in the future to contribute if a change is made.

In addition, I have a daughter who just graduated from the Tulane School of Engineering last month. It would not be fair that she must begin her life as an alumnus without the same (full) athletic tradition that I had 26 years ago. We both traveled to Baton Rouge this last weekend to proudly cheer on the Wave at the baseball regional, and I am sure that she looks forward to being able to do the same with her future children when they are Tulane students and, later, alumni.

In order to do my small part to help, I will now give $250 to the T.A.F. and I pledge to contribute at least at that level over the next five years in order to remain in Division I-A. I also plan to purchase more football season tickets for the upcoming season.

I ask that you please not make a change to a lower athletic classification or drop football on June 10, 2003. The alumni and friends of Tulane University should be given a fair chance to enhance the financial position of Tulane athletics by setting goals that must be met in a reasonable period of time (say, two or three years). I believe that the alumni and friends of Tulane will support decisions made in the best interest of the university after such a period of fund raising and analysis. They will not, however, support athletic change decisions made barely one month after the possibility of these changes was made public.

*****

To: Dr. Cowen and the Board of Administrators

I believe this is an opportunity for Tulane to affirm it mission to be a world-class university that commits it resources to maintaining the highest standards of research, facilities, teaching, and enlightenment. Participation in athletics is a wonderful teaching tool, however, athletic scholarships and the Division I programs do not serve this goal.

Further, I believe the argument that Tulane should commit large resources to maintaining the Division I programs, because of the 'long and proud tradition', is misguided and wrong. The benefit and obligation of Tulane's long and distinguished history is to nurture the traditions that serve the schools missions and castoff the traditions that are found to undermine its missions.

I urge you to bring Tulane into the new century with a very clear focus on the University's mission to maintain the highest academic standards and allocate resources accordingly.

*****
Tulane needs the support of Alums who look for scoores and write checks or buy tickets at the window. Keep athletics and don't become Emory.

*****

My name is Latosha Lewis and I am a former Track athlete. I graduated in the Newcomb College class of 1996 and was a Watson Fellow.

Athletics was a invaluable part of my life at Tulane! It helped form many of the skills that I attribute to my success as an environmental lawyer. I also believe that Tulane Athletics is invaluable to the student body and alumni as well. I view Tulane as a southern Stanford, a school which provides excellent academics and excellent athletics. We should remain that way.

*****

I have been monitoring the "feedback" relative to the ongoing athletic revue and have been very interested in the arguments both for and against continuing Division 1-A athletics. I personally come down strongly on the side of striving to be the best we can be in all circumstances, including competing in football and other sports at the highest possible level-Division 1-A. The reasons for such a position seem to me to be overwhelming and the issue of cost, which must be addressed by raising revenues, is a workable problem.

Nonetheless, some of the arguments against our current athletic program and the suggested alternatives are fascinating and require further examination.

One alumnus suggested doing away with athletics and spending our money on lowering the "drinking age" in Louisiana. He opined that would attract more students than bowl games, NCAA championship appearances, or readily identifiable alumni. I'm sure (hope?) the gentleman's suggestion was, at least partly, in jest. But, although such a move would cost Louisiana federal highway funds, I can see his point. For a university intent on establishing courses in gambling management, why not go all the way and be known as "Sin U." The mind boggles at the number of things currently illegal that our school could be known for if only we could change the laws.

Another recent graduate believed that doing away with football would open up other athletic scholarship opportunities. Hello? It's those scholarships that cost a large part of the deficit. And, based on Title IX requirement, the removal of 85 football scholarships would require an equal reduction in scholarships for women's sports. While the elimination of swimming, diving, track and field, cross country, soccer, and volleyball would meet the federal requirement and save a lot of money, I don't think that was the end result envisioned by the recommendation to eliminate football. It's essentially our only revenue-generating sport with any potential of closing the deficit. All other options "give in" to a subsidized athletic program forever.

One self-identified "professor" opined that our football and basketball players were not adequately motivated or intellectually qualified to attend Tulane University. He referred to them as "those people." Frankly, that made me very nervous and I bet it made the administration and all our minority students and alumni very nervous also. Since something like 25% of all African American undergraduate men at Tulane are on athletic scholarships. Their elimination could make for some very unpleasant headlines in the nation's press.

A common theme among some of the "feedback" supports the idea of Division III sports and some people's preference to play Emory, MIT, Washington University, and Case Western. That actually sounds "kinda nice." But, if money is the issue, where are we going to get the money to fly teams to Atlanta, Cambridge, St Louis, and wherever Case Western is located? Division III schools play schools in their neighborhood. They walk next door to Loyola. They find their own way over to a UNO. They car-pool to Louisiana University. There is no money for anything else. And, if there is money, it's coming from the School of Architecture or Social Work or somewhere else.

Finally, you just "gotta" love the guy who wants to de-emphasize sports because "we were never very good at it anyway." He should be forgiven, I suppose, because he last attended Tulane in the 1970s. In the last few years, we've won two bowl games, 23 conference championships, and played in 36 NCAA tournaments. We've had 32 All-Americans, 16 Players of the Year in CUSA, and 160 "All Conference" performers-- all of this in Division 1-A. We've gotten pretty darn "good at it" under Athletic Director Rick Dickson, our coaches, and today's student-athletes.

It is clear to me that the administration, the president, the Board of Administration, and we-- the alumni, students, and fans-- need to get behind our athletic director, our coaches and our student-athletes and build a stronger and financially viable Division 1-A athletic program at Tulane. The other options make no sense and will cost millions of dollars in lost contributions due to the divisiveness generated by their implementation.

In the four weeks since the "secret" was leaked about this current review, we've made a good start. We need to keep it up.

*****

Tulane should decrease emphasis on athletics by going to NAIA status and recrruiting "scholar" athletes

*****

I have given donations to the Tulane Athletic Fund as well as other departments at Tulane over the years.

I feel it would be a step backwards for Tulane if we decided not to be in Division l. If this is done I will not only discontinue my donations to the Tulane Athletic Fund but also discontinue donations to other departments at Tulane.

Hopefully we will stay Division l.

*****

Get rid of athletics entirely or move to Division III.

*****

Dr Cowen,

I am not a Tulane graduate but a life-long fan. I am also a soldier. Leadership is the most essential element in combat. It's also the leadership this University needs & deserves. I trust that you will take into consideration over 100 years of athletics before forming your opinion. It should also be mentioned that past Tulane University Presidents have made drastic decisions concerning athletics that have put the University in this position it is in today. De-emphasizing athletics and departing the Southeastern Conference were huge mistakes. But with hard work, something that educators look to with inspiration, athletics at Tulane have never been better. Major college athletics is on the brink of expanding its conferences again. Do not let us be left out in the cold. The Tulane community has spoken. The student body has spoken and the New Orleans community has spoken. We are Tulane University, the home of the finest student-athletes and a major player in Division 1 athletics! If you chose to move to Division 3, the University still might have great students but they will not have great student-athletes.

I am purchasing the family pack for football and donating $125.00 to the TAF. After June 10th, the decision of your board will determine whether I support Tulane University in the future. Anything short of Division 1 athletics across the board will result in never supporting Tulane University or its athletic program ever again.

*****

To whom it may concern:

As a member of the Tulane Alumni/ae community, I recommend that Tulane pursue Division II (reduced number of scholarships but with football), or Division III (no scholarships) football. It has been my experience that Tulane's continued involvement in the upper ranks of football diverts student and alumni/ae attention from the main purpose of the University -- to provide a well-rounded academic experience for all students. At times, the promotion of Division I football, seems to have overtaken the academic goals of the institution.

Tulane's reputation will not suffer with a change in athletic divisions for football. Of course, several generations of alumni/ae will be upset, but that's not reason enough to make this shift.

The time is right for Tulane to make the move to Division II or Division III football.

*****

As an Alumni who lives i the New Orleans area, I am appalled at the idea of changing Tulane's Division. Why? Did we not get paid for winning the Hawaii Bowl? WHat happened to those funds? I do not think that we should change divisions because as a city, New Orleans would lose the only Div. 1 team in this area. What about the rivalry we have billed between LSU and Tulane? Even though they usually beat us in football, our baseball team is getting us much recognition and respect throughout the country. Please, keep Tulane competitive. I am planning on buying one of the packages offered only if the division is not changed. If the division is changed, the lack of fan support will dwindle to none. The reason allot of people stopped supporting Tulane is because when there was a winning football program, many of those that had season tickets for years were let go in order to make room for those willing to buy the more expensive tickets. Those who followed Tulane when they were losing deserved to be treated better than what they received. I talked to some of those boosters who were faithful to the program ad they felt used and rightly so, they stopped supporting the team. Now since the program is in jeopardy, those that have been used before should just forget about the past, well that is a bitter pill to swallow. I hope and pray that if and when the decision is made about the athletic program it is decided that the city,students and Tulane faithful fans are included as some of the most important determinants. Thank you.

*****

My comments are addressed to the Tulane alumni and students--to all those who have a long-term, vested interest in the well-being of the university, unlike administrative personnel (including the President) who come and go as their career plans dictate.

My husband and I are Tulane graduates from the mid-sixties. We have retained our ties to the university, even though we have not lived in the New Orleans area since graduation.

During the past several years, I have become increasingly concerned about the direction that Tulane is heading. Specifically, many of the recent decisions by the present administration do not seem consistent with what I view as the Tulane "brand."

Even though I am by no stretch of imagination a sports fanatic, I believe that continuing to participate in Division 1-A athletics is necessary not only as a status symbol for the university, but as a vehicle for promotion of the Tulane name nationally. Like it or not, there is a certain cachet to competing at the most competitive level in anything--including athletics.

I refuse to listen to the argument of "we must de-emphasize athletics in order to concentrate on academics" from an administration that has instituted courses in "casino management." Even though there are multiple problems with college athletics, I would certainly prefer that Tulane's name recognition is derived from that source rather than from "Gambling" magazine.

Stay in Division 1-A athletics. Do not turn my alma mater into a money-grubbing enterprise that winds up advertsing course offerings on the back of match book covers.

*****

It is critical that Tulane remain Division I and retain football. I have made a pledge to the TAF and have been a contributor for 20 years.

*****

I am Tulane A&S, class of 1992. For the record, I would like to see Tulane move to Division I-AAA. Thank you,

*****

I am strongly in favor of moving to I-AAA (no football). Having earned my graduate degree at MIT, I know very well that football is not a prerequisite for a strong campus identity. In short, more resources toward research, and overtaking Emory and Duke . Cordiali saluti,

*****

Tulane must remain in Division 1, I have been a football and basketball season ticket holder for the past 40 years. I recently gave an additional gift to the Tulane athletics. Leaving this level will eliminate many of my era donors, who are the older fans. An on campus football stadium as SMU can meet the expectations of a dwindling local alumni pool, plus local fans. Abandon Tad Gormley as the media will soon compare our attendance with the popular high school crowds. Negative comments will further reduce our fan base. An on campus facility will also attract the student body.

I have recently learned that the schools desire to improve the SAT average, by increasing our tuition assistance to a larger number of prospective students with these higher SAT scores has reduced net tuition income. Reduced cost education is great, but this nation has numerous public colleges and universities serving this need. I can't believe that the tradition of Division 1 athletics should be scrapped in favor of providing more scholarship and tuition assistance for higher SAT's is a sound plan for the school. I've heard it referrer to as "Sat buying". Do higher SAT alums provide a better prospect of alumni giving? If the faculty is so focused on SAT's, perhaps all athletics are soon to be abandoned, if so Tulane as we know it today will soon be the Tulane of the past.

I urge the school to consider the fact that Tulane today is a product of the past 166 years. It looks pretty good. A dramatic change could tarnish this fine image.

*****

Keep Tulane in Division 1A... it is good for the city, students, alumni and university PR.. SAVE THE WAVE!! Roll Wave Roll!!

*****

Keep Tulane in Division 1A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROLL WAVE ROLL!!!!!!!!

*****

An important part of college is not just knowledge obtained in the classroom but knowledge obtained from "the college experience" That includes living in a dorm, joining clubs, participating in Greek life, and enjoying your athletic teams.

I had many opportunities to go to a variety of schools but I picked Tulane because I wanted to get away from home and have a full college experience. I had that at Tulane.

Please do not change what we are. Dropping football or dropping classifications for our other sports will forever change Tulane and I do not think for the better. I did not want Emory or Wash U or Case Western.. I wanted TU...a school where I could get a top notch education and really enjoy my 4 years.

Thank you.

*****

I am a local New Orleanian and would ask you to consider the following benefits of Division I-A athletics before making your descision.

1) How do you expect to replicate the national exposure Tulane receives everytime the university appears on ESPN for a football, basketball game, etc.? The year that Tulane went undefeated and to the Liberty Bowl everyone in the country knew about Tulane University and word was spread about how we aspire to be known for academics and athletics. Also, it was certainly not a coincidence the year that Tulane football went undefeated undergraduate admission applications significantly increased.

2) This is the first time in a very long time that the football program is winning both on and off the field and our head coach is not leaving. There is finally stability in this area, which has been sorely needed. After 20 years, Tulane football finally has respectability and it is evident as ESPN will be televising our first game of the season against TCU.

Do you really think local fans and alumni will support D-III athletics or an athletic program without a football team. That would be a complete joke, and it would be giving up on an athletics program that has overcome so many hurdles and currently is nationally recognized for success both on and off the field.

*****

If the news on the radio on Monday night is accurate I call on the friends and alumni of Tulane University that have a high interest in retaining our D1A status to begin a recall of Dr. Cowen.

Sources on several area radio stations report he will recommend the complete elimination of the school's football program. This will in the short term also eliminate some women' programs and will eventually lead to the complete elimination of D1 sports.

If any of the people on the board think the elimination of football will allow the school to put more money in the academic side they just are not using the education and common sense that they should have received as a Tulane student.

Cowen must go and now is the time to do it!

*****

I am not sure what to say. I want the best, but am not a charger and gung-ho helper. I want to stay in division I and would make a contribution to the fund, but am not really hot on season tickets, cause I don't go to other school's games either. If you have to make a move away from division I, I would want division II (football with reduced scholarships). I will stay abreast with the e-mail communications y'all send out to us.

*****

To the Committee:

If at all possible, I would like to keep our status as a division 1-A school. However, if we have too, then my second preference would be to drop football and concentrate on the other sports.

Thank you

*****

I graduated from Tulane University this May, and I would be very disappointed if the school were to switch away from Division I. Had this switch been a possibility when I began to apply to schools, I never would have even considered Tulane as a possible point of matriculation, and had the school not played Division I sports in the first place, I may never have even heard of the school. The school's athletic program seems to be gaining strength and momentum year after year, and by playing major programs in sports such as football and basketball, Tulane gains much needed publicity for potential students, and also informs others of Tulane's academic reputation. Few employers read the U.S. News rankings of universities; when I asked a friend of mine who is the head of a major computer software company what he knew about Tulane University, his immediate response was that it had an ! exceptionally strong academic reputation. When I asked him what he knew about Lehigh University, a school with a similar U.S. News ranking as Tulane, he knew very little about it. When Tulane University is on national television, announcers always seem to comment on the school's high level of academic achievement; I recall the commentators remarking on the high GPAs of the players during a Tulane baseball game. This provides much needed publicity for the school and its members outside the academic community.

Athletics provides fundraising; when alumni are invited back to the school, they know that they're being asked for money. If I'm going to come back and be hassled for money, I want to be able to watch my football team beat Hawaii or my baseball team beat LSU; I don't want to come back just to listen to some speakers ramble on about the school. And I certainly don't care enough to watch the football team play Division III rival Nobody University.

Tulane is not a very diverse school; it has a low number of African-Americans, foreign students, or those in lower economic classes. The one thing that helps provide some diversity to the school is athletics. Our football, basketball, and tennis teams are full of players that aren't upper-class caucasians, the distinct majority in the school. If you're going to try and promote cultural diversity, removing athletics will only prevent this diffusion from taking place.

As I said before, if Tulane were to switch away from Division I-A athletics, I would be extremely disappointed. I never would have considered Tulane if it were anything but Division I-A, and I like to believe that I gave more to the Tulane community than I took from it.

*****

I have to first commend Tulane for at the very least having the courage to be able to openly bring the question of Division 1 athletics to the foreground and discuss it. It is not likely that many schools with Division 1 programs would have been able to even see a problem arising, let alone discuss it.

Now, having said that, I have to strongly urge the committee to let Tulane remain a Division 1 school. When I began looking at colleges as a high school junior 2 years ago, one of the main reasons I asked for information on Tulane was that I had simply heard of the school before. This was due, mainly, to Tulane's athletics, with the undefeated Sugar Bowl season being what I remembered more than anything. As a high school senior, while having applied to Tulane for its academic reputation, I also took into consideration the fact that its athletics program was Division 1. Then, when it came time to make my decision to attend Tulane (I'm currently a rising sophomore), both the academic and athletic combination the school provided were what made my decision easy. You see, throughout high school, I had always wanted to play Division 1 athletics. I played baseball, soccer, and football, and actually had offers from Division 2 and 3 schools to play a couple combinations of the three. Most of those were academic schools in their own right as well. But what set Tulane apart was the fact that it was an academic school, which just happened to have a successful Division 1 athletics program, and I came to Tulane with the hopes that I might be a part of that program

Since then, despite not receiving an athletic scholarship (I fortunately received an academic one instead), I have since been lucky enough to earn a walk-on roster spot with our football team and was present in Hawaii as we took home the 2002 Hawaii Bowl Championship.

While I cannot definitively say that I would not have attended Tulane had they been lower than Division 1, I can say with that I would probably not have been part of the Green Wave family, most likely attending one of the other schools that was just as well known academically and where I was assured of playing a sport (or two). So to the committee, I urge, rather beg you, to allow us to stay a Division 1 program, not only because I am a current Green Wave athlete, but because dropping divisions would be taking away the dreams of my youth and those of many others who are just like me. Thank You.

*****

Dr. Cowen, dropping from Div1 would be a huge mistake. I have been a season ticket holder for over 25 yrs. in football and less in baseball. I donate to TAF yearly as well as the Medical school. I do not donate large amounts, but hope to in the future when my children are raised. I will discontinue all donations to Tulane period! Football has turned the corner; except for basketball, the other sports have as well. It would be a real shame to do this when we can actually see the light at the end of tunnel!!

PS. If you drop football, might as well drop it all!

*****

Gentlemen: I am a long time Tulane fan. I saw Tulane in the 1939 Sugar bowl as a Boy Scout usher. I graduated from Tulane in 1949. I have been a long time football season ticket holder. Currently I hold my Season tickets through a retired Tulane Professor. I have an award for Alum Fund Drives. And I always got better results when Tulane was winning in sports!!! Tulane continues to do stupid things, like deemphasize football, leave the "SEC", sit students on the East side, etc., etc. Why can the other major Independent schools in the south continue to support major sports , but not Tulane???? Tulane will do a great disservice to its status & its Fans if it elects to downsize sports!!!!!

*****

Dear Phillip Greer (chair), William Goldring, Linda S. Wilson, Douglas J. Hertz, James W. Wilson Jr., William A. Slatten, James M Lapeyre Jr. and James J. Reiss Jr.,

Tulane has had a great history of sports over the past 150 years, including recent accomplishments in Baseball, Football, Basketball and many other sports. With such a great tradition of excellence, including and certainly not limited to The Sugar Bowl and winning programs of Baseball, it would be a great tragedy to deprive the future students and alumnus of great sporting events.

Tulane can return to excellence in athletics, which will pave the way for better attendance, alumni giving, and a return to profitability.

We should give up the Superdome for football and hire a good coach. We need to stay in Fogelman Arena for all home basketball games and stop wasting money in the minidome for basketball.

Unfortunately, Tulane has become a "we want to be like the Ivy League" school and not a school of leaders that can stand alone. Tulane will always have a special place in my heart because it is not an Ivy League school, we do not need to make another decision which will pull us from the spot as the premier school in the south.

Suck it up and stay in Division 1-A

*****

In 1970 I first learned about Tulane because I saw them in the Liberty Bowl. At the time I lived in Jax, FL and I had an interest in the medical field. I made my college decision to attend TU after researching them and learning about the school and the city. I fell in love with the school and the city and have been a fan and supporter ever since. I never went back home and have made NO my home. I am proud of the school and the athletic programs we put on the field despite the won lost records. I understand the athletic dilemma as the same problem existed when I was in school. I can only tell you that there is a sense of pride associated with a school and an athletic program that you don't get from academics alone. If The other major private schools can field division 1 teams so can we. I know there is a value to the school that comes from the athletic program that you can't place a dollar value on. There have been many bright student athletes that have attended TU and have spread the name about world wide. I have sons who want to play ball and become doctors who wish to go to TU. Right now they are dreamers but they will have no dream if you go through with this. I hope you can find a way to continue to compete as a major academic and athletic university. However, if you are in such dire straits and need to drop the athletic programs, please remove me from any mailing lists or contribution campaigns so you can save money on stamps as my green blood will have faded.

*****

Terminating Division 1A football appeals to two groups: elitist eggheads who believe that there is no value in a campus community and racists. I personally would not want to be lumped in either of those groups, but that is how I would describe Tulane if this downgrading of athletics plan of King Scott comes to fruition.

*****

I am writing to express my disappointment with the current debate over the future of Tulane athletics. Tulane should strive to be at the forefront of every aspect of the collegiate world. Athletics play an important role in the education of many of Tulane's students and in the overall stature and perception of our university. Tulane should never allow itself to be a second or even third class player in any field. The fact that Tulane officials would strive to be anything but the best is disheartening and certainly contradicts the principals that I was taught while I attended the university. I am confident that there is enough ingenuity in the halls of Tulane to find another way to compensate for the lack of athletic revenue than to cut or diminish a part of our university that means so much to the students and alumni. I have made a contribution to the Tulane Athletics Fund in order to show my support for the Rick Dickson's efforts to remain in Division I and will continue to do so each year in order to insure that this debate never occurs again.

*****

If you drop from division 1 A u will be considered a second rate institution across the board.

period.

*****

As an alumnus of the Tulane University I have always taken pride in where I went to school. One of the things that I have always enjoyed is watching the athletic teams of Tulane participate at the highest levels of college sports. Although it is unrealistic to think that Tulane will ever compete for the NCAA football title, the fact that the team was able go undefeated over an entire football season was amazing. This would have gone nearly unnoticed had it not occured at the Division I level. If you look at the number of applications to the university after that season, it probably indicates that I was not the only person watching that year.

It is not a matter of being competive. Teams in nearly every varsity sport have demonstrated that they are worthy opponents. Tulane's affiliation with CUSA allows play against other Division I schools and they are not overmatched.

I would like for Tulane University to remain as a Division I school and I will be sending my check to help keep it that way.

Roll Wave,

*****

What are the choices?

1. The NCAA is sitting back and letting the BCS destroy college football.

2. We could rally school presidents to bring back single platoon, two-way football that served well for over sixty years. Reduced scholarships solve the Title IX headache and would shrink the NFL "minor league" talent pool, but it didn't hurt the NFL in the '50s and '60s.

3. Crack down on football factories that recruit kids that don't pass college entry requirements. (i.e. Ivy League).

4. Give up and drop out.

*****

I hope it is not to late to add my ten cents to the discussion. I live in Birmingham, Ala. but grew up in New Orleans in the 60's and 70's. Tulane football was only rarely (about once every 10 yrs) winning more than they were losing. Despite that, my family spent most Saturday nites in the fall, at old Tulane Stadium and then at the Superdome. One of my fondest memories was sitting in the end zone in Dec 1973 as Tulane broke the 25 yr drought against LSU. I had my first date with my wife (a Tiger) at a Tulane-LSU game.

I understand that Tulane Athletics is losing money, primarily due to football losses. I think that the Tulane community would be best served (in the worst case scenario) by conditionally continuing as Div 1-A. The fiscal atmosphere will of necessity be changing over the next five years. At UAB they are essentially doing this. Moreover once you "cancel" football or go to Div 3 that is the end of the football program with over 100 yrs of tradion.

I understand that there are influential people who favor ending the football program. Don't listen to them!!!

Please continue to keep Tulane a Division 1 football program.

*****

I am a graduate of the College Of Arts and Sciences from 1976. I feel it would be a great mistake to down grade Tulane athletics in any manner. When I attended Tulane, the sporting events were an integral part of my college life and help me to bond a more lasting association with the university. Even today, my association with the university is based entirely on the athletic activities. I understand that the main focus should be on academics, but the sporting events serve to make the college experience fully complete. This will only serve to alienate a large segment of the alumni and may also make some students choose other institutions. Before you embark on this, just recall the influence Rufus Harris had on Tulane football. Tulane went from a national power into mediocrity.

*****

Ever since I was as small as a guppy I wanted to attend Tulane. My parents could not afford for me to attend. I joined the Navy during the Vietnam era and used the GI educational bill to support my attendance. I was the first and only one in my family to graduate from Tulane in 1973. Everyone else attended LSU (makes me ill).

The demise of Tulane sports actually began in 1965 when Tulane dropped out of the Southeastern Conference because of in-fighting of sports and academia. I often thought the day would come when this discussion would happen; To drop sports from Tulane.

I have very strong memories of old Tulane stadium as a child watching the Green Wave on the field. That and the great academic excellence drove my wanting to go there.

It would be a very sad day indeed not to have the Green Wave around. I, among others of my age would be heart broken.

However, I still believe, Go to Hell, LSU no matter what happens.

*****

Dear Dr. Cowan and board members:

As a Necomb graduate and former Tulane Cheerleader, I think moving to Division III is a mistake. In traveling across the country for three years with the team I realized how much football did for the University. Many of our alumni come from different parts of the country and they would gather at the games to remember their times in New Orleans. Many were trying to decide whether to send their children down to Tulane....was it still as academically competitive as it used to be? We, as students, were seen as impartial observers where as recruiters were hired guns who had to make the school sound great.

You will lose that exposure and personal touch across the country. Many alumni like myself will no longer feel the need to send money to the University. I have spoken to countless people who say you have received the last dollar from them if sports go away. What will you do with the athletic facilities? Rent them out to high schools? Look at the names on the buildings on the campus and realize how much sport enthusiasts have supported Tulane's expansion into this century.

Dr. Cowan, you do not understand your audience. From the time you took over as president, alumini have been beseiged with multiple mailings to their homes sometimes 7 of the same fliers using seven different ways to reach my husband and myself. We received requests for money for every college and graduate school of Tulane. The only thing we donate money to is the athletic program which was started by Sandy Barbour when she was Athletic Director. She gathered a group of lettermen and women together and gave us a plan to begin to support the school through athletics. We have continued to support it long after she was gone. We will continue to support Rick Dickson and admire his tenacity to fight this fight for us. He realizes what this program means to the University.

What you are losing keeping athletics is nothing compared to what you will lose in the long run. I for one will find something else to do on weekends in the fall and Tulane will remain a degree hanging on the wall.

*****

Scott,

As a Tulane A&S grad (1970) and Law grad (1973) from Madison, Wisconsin, but a resident of New Orleans for the past 30 years, I wish to make one more statement, of no more than 4 sentences, as you approach the June 10 Special Board Meeting:

In my opinion, Division I-A athletics is such a significant part of Tulane University, as a primary source of marketing the university name, as our chief means of identity and contact with alumni, as our chief means of contact with our local community, and by adding needed diversity to our student body, that we should give Athletic Director Rick Dickson's one-and-five-year plans an opportunity to either succeed or fail. One hundred and ten years of athletic competition should not be dismantled without one last opportunity to succeed financially, especially so when there appear to be 3 potential sources of significant revenue currently pending: (1) the Rick Dickson plans for 1 and 5 years, (2) conference realignment (possible Big East - CUSA merger, etc.), and (3) antitrust issues with the NCAA's BCS revenues which should result in more equitable revenue sharing amongst all Division I-A participants, either by means of legislation, litigation, or the threat thereof. The Board will have the prerogative and opportunity to review where these three pending matters stand one year from now, 3 years from now, 5 years from now, but no need to mention that in any press release, as it would "kill" athletic recruiting. Without Division I-A athletics, I believe that Tulane would become an Emory or a Washington Univ. (St. Louis), and I, personally, will not support an "ivory tower" that does not relate to its alumni and local community - I much prefer the Stanford and Duke models for Tulane to continue to attempt to pursue.

*****

please, dont change tulane athletics from div IA . as a student and as a alumni having your school in the top athletic program in the country is part of the tulane experience, during college years and after. quite frankly, living in new york, the only way i keep up with the doings at tulane is through the sports program. nobody follows div II or III. dont do it.

*****

Please stay in Div I. Thank you

*****

I strongly believe that Tulane University should drop the football program and concentrate on less expensive inter-collegiate sports. The last time I attended a Tulane football game, they lost to Army (at West Point). Pretty sad.

Such a move would be consistent with Tulane's ambition for academic recognition. As with similarly sized schools with great academics, Tulane can still target success on the basketball court. Tulane can also pursue excellence in sports for other seasons that resonant with its academic focus (lacrosse, tennis).

My vote would be for Division I-AAA. Use any money saved for academic scholarships.

*****

I am going to a sophomore next year at Tulane. I think it would horrible to completely do away with the football team or not offer athletic scholarships. Why not moving the games out of the Superdome to something smaller? Better yet, why not encourage students to support the teams more??

Not too mention that the athletes at Tulane are among the top students at the university. It's impressive to me to see the athletes making the effort in classes as opposed to just floating through them like most athletes in the high school level. Tulane should support their athletes instead of using them as the escape goat for financial problems.

*****

I couldn't find any money info except that the Athletic dept. lost $5 million. How did the "Revenue Sports" do on their own? Do football and basketball individually make a profit? What costs do you save by dropping down to Div. 1-AAA, Div.II or Div. III? Will fans in New Orleans support the teams if they play these lesser profile teams?

*****

Tulane needs to stay a Division 1 school. The benefits that come to the school through its athletic program (via Division 1) are countless and not necessarily exhibited in dollars. It would be short-sighted for Tulane to down grade its athletic program--to the contrary, it needs to strengthen it and make it a more profitable and integral part of the school.

*****

I am a double graduate of Tulane, A&S 93, and Law '98.

I would like to see Athletics given another few years to make itself more self-supporting. Some of the recent efforts should have been undertaken previously, and a greater effort made to reconnect to the community. This includes the student body (who are taken for granted) and existing alumni of ALL ages, locally and nationally. Shame on us as alumni and fans that we have come to this point; but now that we realize what we are up against, let's not give up so easily.

I would also suggest Rick Dickson take a look at his department's staff and make the hard choices of who among them is dynamic and forward thinking, and who is a a drag on the department's future. No one from the AD down should be off limits. Why do we have a former basketball coach, not even from New Orleans, as the man in charge of fundraising? How about an experienced fundraising/development professional?

My main question goes deeper. I have heard President Cowen say that he wants to make Tulane a top academic university, such as Emory or Washington U. When I combine that goal with a discussion of deficits in atletics, the logical conclusion is that some of that lost money would be used to enhance the academic position of the university. I have yet to hear how this money would be used to do that.

For instance, the law and business schools have built brand new buildings in recent years, and I know the business school is rolling in so much money raised for their addition that they are quite literally looking for ways to spend it all (do classrooms REALLY need 60 inch plasma screens?). However, I don't recall the rankings of either of these schools (however flawed, rankings are the easiest means of comparison) going up as a result of new buildings. So how would the sudden infusion of the $5-10 million athletics loses increase our academic standing? The absence of this money certainly doesn't seem to be hurting recruitment of freshmen. Every year test scores are up, and despite the ever increasing tuitition, every year more apply and are admitted until the dorms are overflowing.

Please explain what these savings will do for the "academic mission" of the university. I can give you my opinion: I would rather that my alma mater, Tulane Law, remain mired with its ranking in the 40's, and that I continue to be able to go to Div. I football and basketball games, than to sacrifice athletics to move Tulane Law (or any division) up a handful of spots into to the 30's. If you can tell me how we can get legitimately into the top 15 or so, then I might be persuaded that a sacrifice of Athletics is worthwhile.

*****

AS A Student at Tulane, I believe that it is important we receive the national coverage tulane is capable of earning. I enjoyed seeing us in the bowl weekend events as well as college world series. I urge the committee to vote for Tulane to remain Division A school.

*****

Dear Mr. Dickson,

I received your e-mail information from my brother-in-law, and sister, concerning Tulane and my nephews future.

I am greatly disappointed in the news that's going on about Tulane dropping down in the level of play at the college level. I don't know about you, but the Homecoming Game last year at City Park was a GREAT atmosphere, that hasn't happened in over 25 years. The Super-Regionals of LSU-Tulane at Zephyrs Stadium the year before. What's wrong with this picture. Tulane sports activity, with the community of New Orleans is way UP.

I'm also very concerned with the future of my nephew, who just started college with Tulane football. The coaches have offered him a 4-5 year scholarship, in return for his football skills. The problem I have is IF, Tulane loses their 1A coaches, and they eventually get lower level coaches, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH MY NEPHEW! What's going to happen to the rest of the athletics that go to Tulane?

The next thing is, the financial loss that the City of New Orleans is going to have. No more U of Texas coming to town, to sell out the dome. A SELL OUT! When was the last time you sold out the dome? Oh well!

In closing Mr. Dickson, I feel that the sports environment, and the whole environment of Tulane would change tremendously if you go down in the ranks.

If you have ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, I would be more than happy to meet with you, or talk to you over the phone. Please call me!

*****

This is not just about athletics (which any University of Tulane's caliber should should maintain). This is about the sellout of Tulane's future.

The situation was predictable. We need look no farther than the evolution of the geographics of our alumni base. Twenty plus years ago, Eamon Kelly made the conscious decision to focus recruiting in the northeast, effectively selling away Tulane's local/regional alumni base. His attitude was that there were not enough local/regional candidates to improve Tulane's intelectual credentials as a University, so go get the talent elsewhere.

With fewer ties (emotionally, geographically, socially) to the University, alumni are less inclined to lend financial or moral support. Alumni are certainly one of the greatest sources of any institution's moral and financial strengths. As for athletics, without a large and committed pool of local alumni, how can such a program be expected to fiscally survive?

So here we are. Our local alumni base is dwindling and our endowment is pathetic. Is it too late to recover from this? Will athletics be just the first to go? You have a challenge Mr.Cowan. This is about survival.

*****

Stay Div. I - Please!

We live in the Raleigh/Durham area and the wonderful reputation that Tulane has here is because of its abillity to have a great academic establishment and perform well in athletics. Schools around here like Duke and Wake Forest are also small private schools who compete well in Div. I sports. What an accomplishment. I believe the coaches and teams at Tulane have earned the right to keep the program like it is.

We enjoy Tulane sports so much and I keep up with in on the internet. We are live-long Tulane fans. My dad is 86 and will be crushed to hear of the possibility of "no football". Don't do this to so many loyal greenies who have stood by Tulane for so many years.

*****

I strongly favor emphasizing academics over athletics. Even if athletic scolarships are eliminated, there will still be sports at Tulane.

*****

I feel that the mission of Tulane University and the graduate schools is to EDUCATE at the college and graduate levels and that there is an over emphasis on big time athletics (colleges with separate athletic dorms, extremely low/non-existent graduation rates, boosters who will do ANYTHING to keep star players including pay them). The reality of today however is that good athletes won't go to schools that do not have these perks, so the choice as I see it is to change the mission of the university, or go down to a level in college athletics where the university can truely attract the student athlete.

*****

Keep Tulane Div 1-A. The way to make Tulane the best is to make sure everyone, across the nation is aware of our achievements both on and off the field. ESPN is pretty good for that. ROLL WAVE!

*****

The most prominent universities have prominent sports programs. Success in athletics reaps great rewards for all other aspects of the university. Alumni giving will improve and more and more students--hopefully improving the academic pool-- will be drawn to the university. If sports fade from the scene, so too does a reason to cheer for the school and feel moored to its reputation.

Sports are an important feature of education both for participants and players. Tulane should seek ways to improve its athletics program, not dispense with it.

*****

As a recent alumnus of Tulane College I just wanted to make my support for remaining in Division I collegiate athletics at Tulane University. Frankly, anything less would simply be catastrophic for the University as a whole. I know you are running athletics at a 5 million dollar deficit. But if the D-I standing were withdrawn I know a lot of people who would completely stop giving to the school at all. I know that I have always split my donation between academics and athletics. This would be a good way to kill even more financial support to the academic sphere then you are currently subsidizing to athletics.

I have taken this challenge seriously and have increased my donations and pledges to Tulane Athletics and I have encouraged others to do the same. Please don't take away this great sense of pride for our alma mater. I have seen the support for athletics (and our success in athletics) grow exponentially every year since my first year on campus in 1996.

Thank you for all of your had work for the University!!

ROLL WAVE

*****

To whom it may concern,

I am and have been a loyal fan, T A F member and season ticket holder in a number of sports since graduation in '75.

I have always supported my University through good and bad times.

It is unfortunate that, at what appears to be a good phase in athletic competition, there is a fiscal crisis to address.

I truly believe that the solution is to allow for the current leadership to have a reasonable time-frame to address this problem rather than to simply change the format in any fashion .

The financial benefit of athletic participation is as difficult to quantify as a company's "goodwill" but it certainly has a value. In Tulane's case I submit it is significant.

Similarly the deficit is nominal in comparison to the overall assets of the University.

It is obvious where I stand in this discussion.

Your consideration in this regard is most appreciated.

*****

Dear Tulane:

Tulane should remain in Div I athletics.

Perhaps it is the way I read all the emails and website bulletins, or perhaps it is the way those "articles" were written, but it sure sounded to me like the big decision hinged on whether the Alumni donated more money to the Athletic Fund and bought season tickets to the Football Program. That's sort of like blackmail, isn't it? If the Alums don't give more money, the football team goes away! Are we to blame? The athletic program lost, what, $5 million? Didn't I read that somewhere? If we follow the same reasoning, the Univ. of Miami, whose program lost about as much as Tulane, even though the football team made $15-20 Million, will be moving to a lower level in college athletics if their alums don't give more money. I really don't think so!!!

Strong-arm me and I turn my head. Provide me with respectable athletic programs and I'll support them more than in the past. You want to see alumni money dry up? Dump Division I, and watch.

Sincerely,

*****

I would think that the biggest Tulane fans would welcome the end of intercollegiate athletics. After all, they're the ones who must be embarrassed by decades of losing. The rest of us are intelligent enough and loyal enough and broad-minded enough to appreciate our alma mater for her uniqueness, her faculty, her gifts and the intellectual curiosity and other life skills she has so kindly passed on to us. It's about time to place attention on areas in which Tulane actually excels.

*****

Dear committee:

I was shocked and dismayed when I first heard of the discussion about Tulane and their possible dismantlement of their athletic program.

Firstly I was shocked to think that after a relatively short discussion of the issue (6 months) and without any input from the alumni and students, the board was possibly ready to throw away a historic and important part of the school tradition. Before the board does something irrevocable such as this, I think you at least should give the athletic department many years to try to accomplish the necessary changes.

Secondly, after doing two college searches with my two sons over the past few years, I know some of the issues that are important to prospective students. Academics is not the only and in many cases not the most important criteria for choosing a school. Extracurricular activities are extremely important. A small school offers a close-knit, intimate atmosphere with personal relationships with your professors. In a larger school you lose that type of atmosphere, but you gain excitement and fun with the big school athletics. Washington University and Emory are two schools comparable to Tulane that my sons looked at and rejected because they were large schools with no redeeming factors. They are more fiscally successful because they have big backers- Coca Cola and Ralston-Purina. Tulane doesn't have a big supporter, but if we decrease our athletics, we won't differentiate ourselves from those schools at all except that we are poorer.

Thirdly, we are currently similar to the above schools except that we offer a chance to be part of big school athletics, and college is a total package. Our division I status with football is our only chance to improve our endowment -- through alumni support because there are no rich companies to bail Tulane out of their current fiscal morass. So to discard football destroys our only hope of improvement.

Fourthly, when I was in Charlotte, NC a month ago, I read in their newspaper how UNC-Charlotte wanted to develop a football team but had to put their idea on hold after 9-11. I thought how ironic that we have one and want to throw it away. And once it's gone, it won't be an easy task to get it back. Fourthly, the timing of this approach to the alumni stinks! A week before the board makes their decision on this very important topic, you ask for opinions from the alumni?? Are these even being read, let alone listened to? I certainly question why we're being asked for input now as they are already discussing on the talk radio shows that the decision is made, and it is to cut football. What a sad mistake!!

*****

I just wanted to add my comments denouncing the move to make Tulane a Division 3 school and supporting Tulane's status as a Division 1 school. My daughterwill be attending Tulane this fall and will be on the Tulane Swimming and Diving Team. She was recruited by Coach Daniella Irle and met with Coach Irle and her assistant, Frannie Debord, and was truly impressed with the school and the prospect of being on a winning Division 1 swim team. Prior to committing to Tulane, she was offered a scholarship at the College of Charleston and at the College of the South in Sewanee, TN. She visited Emory in Atlanta and LSU in Baton Rouge as well. She already had been offered a full academic ride at LSU along with a chance to be on an SEC swim team but turned all of this down to swim for Tulane.

I attended LSU. My wife attended the University of Texas. Both of these schools are well known for their swimming prowess. We never pressured our daughter to attend any particular school but rather let her decide for herself based on first impressions and a strong desire to succeed. She believes, as we do, that this will happen at Tulane.

Please don't make the mistake of throwing away my daughter's chance, as well as a lot of other athlete's chances, to play for a Division 1 school. Tulane has too much to lose by such a move. Thank you for your time in reading this letter from the proud father of a new "Greenie".

*****

Tulane sealed its fate when the Sugar Bowl was demolished. Football is, unfortunately but true, part of Tulane's past, not its future.

Division III.

*****

FEEDBACK

I’ve been reading today’s massive listing of letters, in addition to all of the earlier ones, and I notice a fairly frequent comment that our “endowment” numbers are not keeping up with other institution’s.

I have also noticed that in no communication to date has their been any suggestion that the University’s admission priorities over the past 20 years in selecting the academically highest qualified applicants from all over the country might have something to do with not only the lack of student attendance at football games, but stagnant alumni financial support?

Have we developed a campus with an inordinate number of students who believe they are doing Tulane a great favor by attending? As I am a graduate of 1956, I think I could say that the alumni from my vintage through 1980 felt they were highly privileged to attend Tulane, not the reverse. And they very likely have continued to express their appreciation with financial support?

What are some numbers as to the financial support coming from more recent graduates who were highly recruited, didn’t make time to go to a football game, and then returned to their homes all over America to make large incomes? I guess they may be busy paying back their huge student loans that financed the rising tuition rates.

Am not trying to paint with too wide a brush, but maybe during our somewhat elitist selection process, we really didn’t get the kind of well rounded students that make a University great, and while we’re busy looking for “diversity” and “multi-culturism,” maybe we should also be looking for some students who have indicated extra-curricular enthusiasm and leadership during their high school experience. Like, I guess, “normal” kids.

Just as many of us have “spoiled” our kids, is there a chance Tulane has “spoiled” their student body? In our day your fraternity “required” attendance at football games.

*****

Although the huge state schools are way over-the-top with their NFL farm teams; its imperative that Tulane remain in its long historic position as a Div 1 school

*****

No football, no money

I think the subject says it all.

*****

Dr. Cowen,

Your silence is deafening.

Are you a "face-painting fan" or not? Were ticket sales ok when you arrived? Apparently not. Don't punish the rest of us for your not working that problem several years ago. Get to work.

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