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Questions and Comments We've Received June 9, 2003 Dr. Cowan, Someone has sent you the following story link on an item that may be of interest to you from the Official Athletic Site of Tulane University. Click on the link below to go to the story: http://tulanegreenwave.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/060903aaa.html ***** Cowen, Why are you so afraid to let Mr. Dickson present his report to the full board? What do you have to hide? If football is dropped without giving them a 3 year chance (that's all they ask after 125 years), not only will I stop contributing until you are removed, but I will be happy to join in the effort. How dare you waltz in here after all this history, and attempt to wipe it out without even considering the consequences to the city and the university that you don't even vaguely know ( I undrestand that you have'nt even been to a Mardi Gras parade in your 5 years here). ***** Let's keep football in Division 1-A. ***** It is important that this committee explore other alternatives instead of eliminating football or playing in a smaller division. There has to be other options available. If this committee makes a decision to downsize our athletics program, they are consciously spitting on the face of the history and culture of our great university. This decision would prove to be irreversible, and those that make this decision will forever be remembered as shattering the Green Wave spirit. Sincerely, Freeman Class of 2002 ***** Keep Tulane 1-A ***** I'm not going to sit here and write a long email about how people should be fired and about how bad it is that this was going to be done in secret. All I'll say is if Tulane does get rid of Division 1 sports in this manner, I won't be donating anything toward the school, ever. I know many of my friends share the same sentiment. ***** Don't make athletics the scapegoat for fiscal mismanagement. ***** Athletics completes a university. This should not be strictly a financial decision. If finances alone dictated keeping programs many of the programs offered through A & S would also be eliminated. The special courses of study which graduate less than 25 students would be eliminated by purely financial means. A university is more than a place of study it is a community. the Tulane community is enriched by its athletic program including a strong Division 1A football program. ***** I am a recent graduate from Tulane University (School of Engineering class of 2002) and I believe that Tulane University should remain in Division 1 for sports. While at Tulane I was an adamant fan of many of the schools sports. I was part of a club known as TsUnami whose sole purpose was to cheer at Tulane events. Namely we were the extremelly roudy crowd at sporting events, often apperaing with face and/or body paint. I enjoyed myself immenseley at these events and would hate to see the future students at the institution be deprived of such an opportunity. Also, I notice that Tulane University's popularity and reknown has been greatly (and positively) affected due to its athletic successes. After the undefeated football season in 1998, Tulane's freshman class was reported as the largest up to that year. The school's name was put in the national spotlight in a positive light, and if nothing else, this served as a positive propaganda for the school. I also have to say that while I was at Tulane I was also an RA. My first year as an RA I worked in Monroe with many freshmen. Some of these freshmen admitted to me that they first heard of the school from the sports news, and after doing a little research they found out that Tulane is one of the top 50 schools in the nation. This type of media exposure could be nothing but positive for the school. Similar things can be said about the performance of ex-atheletes in the limelight, who also shine a positive light on the institution. Shaun King played in the superbowl only years after his departure from Tulane, and everytime he is on national TV someone mentions that he came from Tulane... an institution known not only for its sports but for its academics. I hope the board that has been selected to evaluate this decision will take my comments into consideration along with the comments of those other alums that I know have been submitted. Afterall, a large part of the endowment to the university comes from alums, so their opinion should be valuable to the institution. Thank you for your attention and please keep the hundred-year-old tradition of Tulane sports alive! Your's truly, ***** To whom It May Concern: I am deeply troubled at the thought of losing Tulane's football program. The crowds were never large or enthusiastic as other college's around the nation; however, attending football games was how I personally connected to the University. Not only did I love to watch our team, but the games also created an unforgettable social scene. I also question how cost effective it would be to leave Conference USA? Recently, Miami, Syracuse, and Boston College have attempted to leave the Big Ten and join the ACC. Although it appears this change in divisions will occur, these teams are now faced with "hundreds of millions of dollars" in lawsuits: Tulane's situation is slightly different but will certainly result in numerous lawsuits, loss of respect from C-USA Universities, and most importantly forever tarnish the Green Wave's athletic department. I sincerely hope Tulane maintains its football program, and students for generations will have the some of the same enjoyable experiences as I did. ***** Dear Rick: On May 2, 2003, I wrote to Dr. Scott Cowen. In this letter, I expressed my feelings about Tulane changing from Division 1-A to Division 3-A. I feel the same way about Tulane continuing in Division 1-A but dropping football. For Tulane to drop football would be a big step backwards for the university and a big mistake if the Board of Administrators would vote to discontinue football. I have been a football season ticket holder for approximately sixty-five (65) years, purchasing four tickets. These tickets date back to the old Tulane Stadium. If Tulane will continue in Division 1-A in all athletics, I will increase my purchase to eight season football tickets, six season basketball tickets, and six season baseball tickets. In addition, I will make a contribution of $1,000. I admire you for the hard work youāve done with tough odds to have Tulane continue in Division 1-A. The university will be indebted to you for many years to come if your insistence and hard work results in Tulane continuing in Division 1-A in all sports. Tomorrow is the big day, and I think thousands of alumni around the world are waiting for a positive answer from the Board of Administrators continuing with Tulaneās present athletic policies. With kindest regards, Sincerely, ***** Hello, I graduated in 1993 and now live in Massachusetts, so I cannot attend the football games live, but I follow the team and would really like to see the football program and all Div. I athletics stay. I always attended footbal and basketball games as a student, and when Tulane football played at Army me and some Tulanians went to see the game. I am still able to feel my connection to the school whenever I see the occasional basketball or football game on TV. Again, I hope you make the right decision in keeping the programs Div. I. Regards, ***** In looking at colleges three years ago, I weighed the pros and cons of the twelve schools I applied to, and in the end, Tulane University's athletic program is what put me over the edge. Tulane fulfills a niche of a smaller, well regarded school in a wonderful location, and the Division One athletic program completes the package. Students don't want to attend a school whose athletics are unknown and lack excitement. I fear that the decision to drop to Division Three will drastically affect Tulane's future classes and that the enrollment will be threatened. The tuition as it stands is among the tops in the country, and the value of a university with a Division One athletic program is very much higher than that with a Division Three program. Please take the voices of the students seriously, I have enjoyed so many football, basketball volleyball and baseball games in the past three years, and I would hope that the future men and women of Tulane can enjoy the same excitement and enthusiasm as I have. Thank you, ***** I sincerely encourage the Board of Trustees to keep Tulane football and all sports at the Division 1 level. Division 1 athletics is a vital part of the fullness of the Tulane educational experience. The Tulane Athletic Department has performed so well on the field and with academic success of the student athletes. Tulane has provided a fine and nationally-recognized example for our student athletes, including minorities. I believe that Tulane's goal of reconnecting with its Louisiana roots is also vitally tied to successful athletics, particularly football. I encourage the university not to back off from this challenge. Let's clearly identify the opportunities and the efforts necessary to accomplish them. ***** I think it would be a shame for Tulane to change its athletic program when it is doing so well. If Southeastern Louisiana University can get back into football after doing without for years, Tulane should keep what it has. I have been a supporter of Tulane athletics for years as well as supporting Newcomb and the Business school. I doubled my donation to TAF. ***** I can only hope these emails are being reviewed. Everythiing I have heard or read regarding the future of Tulane Athletics and the upcoming vote has me more concerned then ever. From conversations with other Tualne Alums, we are all of the impression that the current adminstration is acting without the truly long term health of the University in mind. Put simply, the more dire of the proposed changes will have irreparable harm to the reputation of the university and ultimately, in my opinion, on enrollment. Lowering to Division III would seriously reduce the reputation of Tulane as a major University, and removing football, a money making sport, would only damage the University further by reducing the minority diversity on campus, and most likely costing numerous womens sports to be cast aside. I do not feel that the wishes and opinions of the vast majority of Tulane Students and Alumni are being considered by the current adminstration in regards to this matter. Because of the disenfranchisement, should actions be taken that will either lower the status of the athletic department or outright destroy it such as would be the case in removing football only, my future support of Tulane University is seriously in doubt. I do not feel that I am alone in this matter, either. Sincerely, ***** I sent an e-mail to Dr. Cowen expressing how I felt below is part of that e-mail. I am born and raised in New Orleans. I started going to Tulane football games when I was 12 years old; I am 52 now... My child has gone since he was 6 months old. The only games I missed was one I had a baby and the second one I had surgery. To think there will be no more Tulane football is unimaginable. My child dreams of going to Tulane and the only way he will get there is on a scholarship for sports. I am not a very rich person but I buy my season tickets every year winning or loosing seasons. It is a love I have for Tulane that is just there. It is just so unbelievable how out of hand this situation has gotten. All the people you gave your word to like the Assistant Coaches who had a chance to go to other schools but stayed here on your WORD. You must give Rick Dickson a chance to turn Athletic Department around. Things have changed since 911 but I thought my Tulane football and other sports would always be here. You must give Rick Dickson a chance to turn Athletic Department around. I just can not express in words my feelings about this. I am so depressed. I was hit with the articles in Times Picayune about Tulane and possible closing of Riverdale High School. What a one, two punch I got. I just can not tell you how totally helpless I feel because I hear your mind is made up. PLEASE KEEP TULANE FOOTBALL - AT PRESENT LEVEL AND ALL OTHER SPORTS. GIVE MR. DICKSON a CHANCE. ***** I strongly favor leaving the Tulane athletics program as a Division I program. The presence of a big-time college athletics program provides a real benefit in enhancing the profile and image of a school such as Tulane. I am an example of a student who factored Tulane athletics into my decision to attend the university. I would consider the abandonment of Division I athletics as a slap in the face -- and can unequivocally state abandonment would have a negative influence on my financial support plans for the university. ***** Dear Board Members - As the parent of an incoming Freshman Golfer, we feel that it is vital that you maintain athletics at its current level. My husband and I both attended Stanford, and he was a walk-on athlete for soccer. This experience added immesurably to his college experience, and, as alums, we have been extra supportive of athletics because of this. In fact, when Title IX was implemented at Stanford, the athletic department faced much the same dilemma you now face - how to justify keeping (perceived minor) sports in the face of changing demands on the athletic department and University budgets. We were dismayed to find that soccer was relegated to a club sport (much the same as the move to Div 3 would be.) Our solution was to start a separate fundraising effort on behalf of the Soccer Program. Proudly, we have helped to bring back the program and my husband guided the effort which recently raised the funds to build a lovely lighted soccer stadium for the teams, which are regular contenders for NCAA championships. Sports are a vital program at any high quality school - creativity in finding solutions is needed, and my husband and I stand ready to help in any way we can. Sincerely ***** Just a quick note from an alumunus, A&S '92, to express support for keeping the university in Division 1-A athletics. While Tulane will never be Florida or Alabama in terms of resources and access, the strong athletic programs the university has developed help build the national reputation of the school. Without them, the many excellent students who apply to Tulane from outside the southern U.S. may never hear of the university. In addition, the programs keep those of us who are geographically far away in touch with the university through television broadcasts of athletics. All of this would be lost by moving the programs from Division 1-A. ***** ..as a Tulane Alumn as well as a concerned business/community leader I am writing to advise that I believe it would be a tragic course of events if the Board takes action to change the currrent configuration and participation of the Tulane Athletic program. ***** I presently have two children in high school who are interested in going to Tulane. They have both commented that they would not choose to apply to Tulane if Division One athletics are excluded from the package. We have quite a list of Tulane alumni in our family from multiple generations, and it saddens me that they would not want to continue the tradition. But I would not blame them since I feel that the sports program helps to make a college environment more diverse and well rounded. From my experience at Tulane, the exposure to people from different backgrounds and geographical locations was just as enriching as my classes. I fear that elimination of a serious sports program will begin to erode this wonderful formula Tulane has for being a truly special and unique school environment. Sincerely, ***** Members of the Board, Have you lost your collective minds? YES, Tulane is a top-tier academic institution that is the pride of both New Orleans and Louisiana. YES, I would like for Tulane to continue to improve its standings in the academic world. YES, I am tired of Tulane losing money (from its football team) and of its losing sports programs, BUT - the sum of the college experience is not just the knowledge one gains in the classroom. Nor can the value of these athletic programs be measured on a balance sheets where red is bad and black is good. The college experience is a critical time for in a student's personal development. Deep mental and spiritual questions are posed (Who am I? What's my life path?) during this time. A key part of that personal growth is social activity - one that does not involve academics, i.e. football games. Let's be honest with ourselves, college football is this nation's greatest pastime. Some of my fondest college memories involve Tulane football. My first date with my wife (also a TU grad) started by attending a football game on a Saturday afternoon at the 'Dome. I could state the numerous arguments for keeping the football program status quo, but I do not have the time or the desire to write an essay in this e-mail. The arguments for downsizing or eliminating the program are somewhat valid only if you are the university's president or board of directors and you are looking for a way to leave a legacy during your tenure - not to mention the healthy bonus to boot you'll receive for cutting operating costs. That being said, I think that it would be in the best interests of the students (remember that's why colleges and universities exist - and not for administrators or professors) to remain status quo and keep Division I status in all programs - especially football. If the athletic department is losing money, then the university should hire an Athletic Director that will raise the funds required to keep the program in the financial black. Don't kill the cow because it's eating too much hay and not producing enough milk. Sincerely, ***** HEY... KEEP THE TULANE ATHLETICS GOING, IT IS A SOURCE OF PRIDE AS A GRADUATE, AND, IT'S HISTORY AND LEGACY IS SIGNIFICANT. IF TULANE'S SPORTS PROGRAMS ARE NOT IMPORTANT AS LEGACY NOR HISTORY, THEN THE SAME COULD BE SAID FOR NEW ORLEANS WHOSE PASTS ARE INEXTRICABLY ENTWINED. PLUS, IT CREATES A SENSE OF UNITY AMONGST THE STUDENT BODY. IT WOULD BE A BAD MISTAKE TO LOSE THAT. ALL THIS IS BEYOND ANY ARGUMENT ABOUT THE VALUE OF SPORTS UNTO ITSELF, WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT. THANKS, ***** Dear John: This is an email letter to the Board to state succinctly my position on the issue of whether Tulane's participation in intercollegiate athletics should change. I respectfully submit the following comments: 1. The benefits derived from the current athletic program far outweigh its costs; 2. My current financial support for Tulane will end if the athletic program is changed; 3. We will change our estate plans to transfer educational trust income from scholarships to Tulane to scholarships for hometown high school graduates; 4. A change in Tulane's mission and goals created the current financial problem; 5. The change occurred over the last three decades because Presidents were allowed to control Board appointments and policy-making authority; 6. Under the strong influence of the faculty through the "collegial process", the Presidents made the change before insuring that funding was available; 7. Funding is obviously inadequate, and Tulane could cut costs significantly by returning to its traditional mission: a. Unnecessary graduate programs could be cancelled; b. Related faculty positions and non-tuition paying graduate students seats could be eliminated; c. Operating staff and overhead could be significantly reduced; and d. Facility construction for support of these programs would disappear; 8. The negative financial impact generated by the change in Tulane's alumni base and its student body, could be mitigated by a revised admissions policy which emphasizes priority recruitment of, and merit-based financial aid for quality applicants from the City, State, and Gulf South. It is ironic that in the current issue of "The Tulanian", the President identifies three areas of emphasis for coming years that are directly related to the mission change, but does not mention the current financial problems confronting the Board. Apparently, the President wants to make policy decisions, but expects the Board to solve the problems they create. This is an excellent reason for the Board to take back control of policy-making authority, and return the focus of Tulane towards traditional mission and goals. I pray that the Board will make the appropriate decisions, for the future of Tulane is at stake. Personal Regards, ***** Please do not stop your football program. We love Tulane football and what you really need are more bus trips to out of town games. That was great fun. ***** Tulane athletics bind the school to the community and the alumni to the school. Please do not destroy something that has and continues to contribute so much. ***** Dr. Cowen, It appears that your strive for Tulane to Become a nationally recognized university has become successful. You have energized the Alumni Base and received numerous local and national articles. In addition you stand in a position to re-cement the relationship between The City of New Orleans and Tulane University. On the other hand, if your plan is to enter the next growth phase of Tulane into a World Class University without the support of The Alumni base or The City of New Orleans, I suggest that this represents either the height of hubris or a complete misreading of the situation by yourself and your sponsors. ***** I graduated from Tulane in 1992. During the four years I was a student, it seemed like I saw the football team win about four times. But that didn't stop me, or my friends, from going to the games and having a great time. It was upsetting to me then that attendance at the games was so low. I went back to New Orleans for a game in 1998, thinking that with a better team attendance would be also be better. I was dissapointed to find that nothing had changed. That same year I went to the Tulane-Army game at West Point. A friend of mine knew an Army football player's family, so we went to the players meal after the game. The army football player's mother talked about how hard it was to watch her son's team lose all the team. And she spoke about how Army was considering going to a smaller division in order to give the team a chance to compete. I told her that I knew how she felt. We'd all had the same experiencing watching Tulane lose game after game. But that just made the 1998 season that much more enjoyable for all of us. Besides, it seemed to me that there were tremendous lessons to be learned about perseverence in such situations. I hope Tulane won't simply throw in the towel on its football program. While the program has been struggling for many years, I am confident that a school with so many bright minds can find a way to win and balance the books. The stiff competition Tulane faces on the field, in recruiting, and for fans, only makes those rare perfect seasons all the more magical and memorable. I wish that I had more to give, but I don't. I am, however, going to continue to do my small part to help Tulane athletics by making a contribution every year. And I've encouraged all my college friends to do the same. Please hang in there. I want Tulane football to be around for years to come. ***** Dr Cowen, I?m a Tulane grad and the fine education that the school provided me has helped form a mind that is fully capable of coming up with one of the best ideas in the history of civilization. Want to cure budgetary problems brought about by shortcomings in the athletic department? No problem, you?re living in the solution. That mansion that you live in on St. Charles has got to be worth millions. Sell it, put the money into a trust, and the school will be able to buy all of the season tickets that it needs, or provide scholarships for plenty of student-athletes who would not otherwise be able to attend Tulane. We can do the same thing with the residence provided for the Dean of Newcombe and this money can be used to support the women?s athletic program. Go to the bathroom of the free house that you are living in, stand in front of the antique sink, and look into that lovely mirror, and you will find the answer to our athletic ?problem?. ***** How many schools can say, we are division one and we are proud! We may not be at the top of the conference EVERY year but there are many years that we are. And even when we are not, it is part of a long standing COLLEGE, not just Tulane, tradition to attend football games and other athletic events. I am not a huge football fan but I showed up for games all 4 years and cheered on the green wave. It is the idea of being division and being proud of what our teams do, whether successful or not. Taking away that tradition would be like bulldozing the oak trees behind Newcomb. ***** Ladies and Gentlemen: As a graduate of two Tulane graduate schools (MBA '91 and Law '95), as well as a former athlete at my undergraduate institution, State University of NY at Albany (BA '89) and a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center (LLM '98), I take special pride in the athletic departments at the three universities I have received degrees from. The local NY Alumni Associations of each institution fully support each school's athletics and base many of their functions around athletic events. The athletic events allow alumni to retain a bond with each university and allow us to continue our attachment to each school. My undergraduate institution has realized the special benefits of athletics and has recently raised its athletic programs from Division III (the division I played football) to Divisions I and I-A. Georgetown, as you know, has a rich athletic tradition and remains a source of pride among its alumni. Tulane, however, has consistently missed this connection. From its long ago decision to leave the Southeastern Conference (the "SEC") to its lack of support from administration and faculty to this discussion, Tulane just does not get it! Eliminating or lowering the level of athletics at Tulane will cause irreparable harm to Tulane University. The local alumni association plans many events around Tulane Athletics during each year. I have traveled around the Northeast to various Tulane athletic events. Also, whenever I visit New Orleans, I always try to attend a Tulane sporting event that is scheduled during my visit. The administrations of my two Tulane schools, law and business, work extremely hard to keep the ties between their alumni and the schools. Eliminating one of the major ways the alumni around the country and around the world can retain a bond to the University is tragically ill-advised. So many schools that Tulane believes are our "competition" (i.e. U. of Texas, Rice Univ., Duke Univ., SMU, Vanderbilt University, etc.) understand the positive externalities of their athletic programs. Tulane inexplicably does not. This misunderstanding resulted in the long ago decision to leave the SEC that frankly has put Tulane in the position it is in today. The current debate will only make it worse. As a proud alum, I will continue to support Tulane University. However, your decision regarding Tulane Athletics may make that support more difficult for active alums like myself. Worse, I believe it will eliminate all connections to Tulane for a wide spectrum of alums around the globe. Thank you for your consideration and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. ***** To whom it may concern: Tulane's decision regarding its athletics programs is a difficult and controversial one. Although I do not understand all the variables, the athletic program seems too expensive for a university such as Tulane. Best luck in the decision making process, ***** As a 2000 graduate of Tulane University, I would like to express my strong opposition to the elimination of Division I Sports. The athletics program and its events are a vital component of Tulane University. Eliminating Division I Sports would be a travesty and would drastically change the college experience Tulane offers. After deliberating on this issue, I sincerely hope the committee will not eliminate Division I sports. ***** I am a graduate of Tulane University, Class of 1967. Following graduation and my military service, I have become a successful businessman with a Fortune 500 company. I am neither "a crazy" nor a member of any "lunatic fringe." But I am a football season ticket holder and long-time contributor to the Tulane Athletic Fund. I am writing due to my legitimate concern regarding the future of my university. I think Division 1-A athletics is extremely important, most specifically, football, to the future of Tulane. I believe it is core to the university, much as it is at Duke, Stanford, or Northwestern, schools that I believe we should emulate. I fully understand the financial issues as they have been presented by Dr. Cowen. We clearly cannot continue to run annual deficits of $7M. But, if money is the only issues-- and I have been led to believe it is-- then that is the problem that needs solving. I understand that season ticket sales have more than doubled since the "review" was made public about six weeks ago. I understand many alumni, who have never given before, are now writing checks and long term commitments to the athletic program if it remains Division 1-A and includes football. I know that alumni chapters around the country support continuation of our current athletic program and I know that we risk disastrous reactions from elected state representatives in Baton Rouge should we drop football. Everything from our tax exempt status to the $3,000 per Louisiana student paid the university by the state will be "on the table." As I understand it, the former is worth roughly $25M per year and the latter, about $5M. As you consider your vote tomorrow, please read the reactions of alumni, friends, supporters, politicians, and media personalities as depicted in the Times-Picayune the last few days. Ask Dr. Cowen to allow the full board to hear from Mr. Dickson, the Athletic Director, on the status of fundraising, ticket sales, etc. Find out how many contributions have not been considered because they are contingent on remaining in Division 1-A football. Ask yourself if over 100 years of "top-level" football starting with our first president, William Preston Johnston, should be eliminated after a six week effort at solving the financial problems. I hope you will give Mr. Dickson's "five-year plan" a chance. Ask him to up the goals if you must. But, please do not tear our university apart. Many long-term donors, not only to athletics, but to the university itself, have pledged to never give another dime to our school. I think that is unfortunate, but true-- probably in the range of $10M a year, or more. Our students and alumni are together on this issue like none in my lifetime. Please listen to them. In closing, I thank you for the time, effort, and experience you bring to the Board of Administrators at Tulane. I feel comfortable that your integrity and innate "fairness" will give this issue the thought and deliberation it deserves. On Wednesday, I look forward to celebration among "all Tulanians" that the future of our school, our football team, and our athletic program is secure. Sincerely, ***** Dear Sirs and Madam: I earned an athletic scholarship to play football at Tulane University from 1983-1987. During that time there was a scandal that caused the cancellation of Basketball as a Varsity sport. Luckily there was an administration and alumni network who persevered and an excellent basketball program was reintroduced. I graduated from the A.B. Freeman School of Business on time and did not have a Basketball program to support during my last two years as a scholar-athlete. The reduction of Tulane athletics to a lower level athletic program will create a malaise among the alumni. I will not support the university in any way, shape or form if they do not have an athletic program that participates on the Division I level. The fact the topic is even up for discussion is very upsetting. Please feel free to call me if you would like to discuss this further. ***** They are a money hole, and the money spent on athletics could go to academics. The city already has so much going for it, so recruiting the best ACADEMIC talent will be no hassle at all. Good academics increases the value of my degree, not an undefeated season. ***** Please do not change the current status of Tulane's athletics program. Thank you, ***** Tulane Athletics have contributed to a positive image of the University nationwide. It is important to continue the fine tradition of participating at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics while maintaining Tulane's sound image academically. I am proud of my time spent at Tulane. I remember Roch Hontas and the Liberty Bowl victory. I enjoy going to Army every other year and rooting for the Green Wave. I just recently visited campus during Mardi Gras for my 45th birthday. The Sports Complex is very impressive. With so many terrific advances Tulane has made since I graduated, I am strongly voicing my support for the Division 1 program. Sincerely, ***** It is unbelievable to me that you are even considering dropping Tulane Football from Division 1. With an exaggerated deficit that represents only one percent of the university's budget, how is it even a question? Are you considering the hidden benefits of competing in Division 1, the national exposure that places Tulane on the map as a major university? The excitement element it brings to the school? My father took me to Tulane games when I was a kid and now I take my kids. It will be a disgrace to not be able to take them to any more. I am disgusted with this whole issue being taken to the level it has reached, and I am becoming more embarrassed to be a Tulane alum with each article I read on the issue. I strongly recommend you leave Tulane football in Division 1, give the plans that have been laid out to reduce the deficit a chance to work, and as a result keep Tulane as a role model school for student-athletics. ***** To Whom It May Concern - I have cheered on Tulane for many a year. I would not want to see Tulane loose their football team!!!!!!! ***** if you take away D1 sports, you take away publicity for our school. less students want to attend it, and then less people know about it. this is less publicity. if less people know about it, when graduates are trying to find a job and they mention tulane, no one will know where they are talking about. thus-- no recognition for our sports and therefore our school, means no recognition to its graduates. therefore. no one will want to attend tulane and admission plumits. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??? please tell me that you dont have enough money. i'm sorry, but family just shelled out about $150,000.000 for my education for four years. times all the students you have at tulane and all the donations you have been receiving from the community, and youre going to tell me that you dont have enough money!?!?!? i did not just spend all that money to watch my expensive diploma deflate. and i'm also not going to watch as tulane and a bunch of board members (some of which do not even live in new orleans!!!) take away the one aspect of tulane that i am still able to hold close to my heart. i love the football games and i'll be there in the stands next year and the year after and the year after that to cheer on my beloved green wave.......... ***** i just graduated from newcomb college on may 17th with honors and have decided to stay in new orleans. when i first came to tulane, i knew nothing about football and went to a game or two my freshman year. however, by the time i became a senior, i was attending every single football game, even traveling to some, because i had so much fun at them. as a student out of high school, i was deciding between tulane and george washington university in DC. i choose tulane for many reasons, but one huge reason was the fact that tulane had a football team and g.w. did not. i wanted to experience a school that had the means to create spirit. this is exactly what tulane had right now. my freshman year i hardly attended the games because i did not know about them. what tulane needs to do is make the student body more aware of what sports are being played and how all the teams are doing. the students hardly know when the games are, and if the administration did a better job of making the students excited about them (maybe put up more signs in dorm halls or bruff), then the students would come. i love the football games. i get a pretzel and a soda and scream my head off. and when we win, it lights up my whole week and i become even more excited for the next saturday. you cant get rid of football or any of our division 1 status. i do not know how you would attract as many students to tulane. when less people apply, it becomes easier to get into the school, and therefore less competitive. this would not help academics!!!!! we are only talking about reputation here! i have had the most amazing professors at tulane and have received a world-class education. i dont want my diploma to de-value... keep football!!!!!! ROLL WAVE!!!!!!! ***** Much has been said and written in the past six weeks about Tulane. As a '79 A&S graduate, I can't recall any time in the university's history where my alma mater received more publicity about an issue from the media. Nor do I recall a time when more Tulanians spoke out about an issue that clearly so many are taking personally. Add my voice to those who question Dr. Cowen's motives and intentions. As a political science major, I'm tempted to draw an analogy to Plato's Allegory of the Cave. In Plato's version, the prisoners were shackled so they couldn't see the fire that was throwing their shadows onto the wall in front them. They didn't have any basis for knowing there was a better existence because they couldn't see what was behind them and knew nothing of the outside world. What has astounded me most these past weeks is that Dr. Cowen seems to have found a group of outsiders willing to leave the reality of the outside world and to voluntarily shackle themselves to face the wall where they remain unenlightened. Can this really be? The truth is those of us on the outside don't really know. The light isn't shining brightly enough for us to thoroughly examine what's happening inside the board room. There's an appearance that the university's trustees are trying to be fair, which the posting of this note proves, but you haven't provided us with all the details to encourage a more meaningful debate. And that's truly a shame. Tulane, its students and faculty, its athletes and coaches, and its community deserve better. My fear is that your approach to this issue has already seriously damaged the tremendous progress that has been made in improving the quality of the university's academics, life and future. I live in Connecticut and work in New York. Athletics has been my lifeline to stay connected with Tulane. I know when its teams have nationally televised games, and I follow their progress online through the athletic department's Web site and other media. It was fun cheering for the underdog and watching Tulane's teams go from wannabes to champions on so many levels. I couldn't have been prouder when it was noted that if the national football championship was decided on scholarship and athleticism, Tulane would have played Notre Dame in the championship game. It allowed me to believe that Tulane had its priorities right all along, that it was possible to pursue first-class academics and athletics at the same time. This fall, the Washington Redskins play in the National Football League's season opener. The promotional bio will note that the Redskins' starting quarterback Patrick Ramsey is a Tulane graduate. This will inevitably lead to a nationally televised discussion about what Tulane's board decides, but it likely won't be the first discussion if the board kills the football program. It's no longer just a decision about whether Tulane stays in Division I for all sports, drops football and competes in Division I for all other sports, or moves all sports into Division III. If the board recognizes the marketing value of its major sports teams, it not only has an obligation to affirm the importance of keeping all sports in Division I, but it also now has an obligation to fully commit the resources of the university to ensure the athletic program's success. The coaches, the players and the athletic director deserve high praise for how they've conducted themselves. It's a first-class group, and they deserve no less than your unanimous, unequivocal support without having to go through a five-year trial to further prove themselves yet again. Tulane and its board need to marshal their resources to tackle the real challenge facing its athletic programs as well as other schools' programs: A Division I cartel that doesn't want to let too many kids into its sandbox. It's a fight that may need to go to court and Congress, if necessary. The question before the board now is whether it will lead that fight, or will it allow the riptide to pull the university into the relative obscurity that will follow after it's held out as poster child of a quitter? ***** It would be a major mistake to change the face of college athletics at Tulane. Alumni support and interest is fostered by a keen interest in Tulane athletics around the country. The recent successes of many of our teams and more importantly the success of our student athletes only adds to its significance. I urge you to keep Tulane athletics as is. A vote for athletics is a vote for Tulane University. Roll Wave Roll!!!!!!!!!!!! ***** Don't drop Tulane Athletics!!! The positive impact in our athletic programs helps attract prospective well rounded students and brings a national reputation all over the country. This is evident by the rigorous academic standards that Tulane hold among it's student athletes as evidence from the 3.0gpa among these gifted student athletes. It also brings in much needed revenue which the university can invest back not only into its athletic program, but its academic resources as well. There are so many reasons that have already been stated in all of the previous e-mails why you should not move the Tulane Athletics programs from it's present Division 1 status so please make the right decision!!!!! ***** I cannot begin to tell you how disheartened I was upon finding out the proposed changes to the athletic program. As an alumni(1990-A&S) the sporting program is the last and most visible connection I have to my alma mater. The most exciting thrilling memory i have from my years at Tulane was when the basketball program was restored in 1990, and we went on to defeat Memphis one grand evening. Please don't change a thing regarding athletics. The university will suffer a lack of identity from this collossal mistake. ***** As a Tulane Alumni and contributor, I am outraged at the thought of Tulane dropping its intercollegiate athletic program from any level except Division I. We must face reality. Division I athletics, especially football, baseball and basketball gives the school visibility throughout the US. I will not be willing to continue to contribute to Tulane if they drop Division I Athletics, especially for football and basketball. That is where the revenue is for the college. Keep basketball, baseball and football in Division I. ***** I know you are getting a lot of emotional responses to the possibility of eliminating Div I athletics, and football. I don't think those should be completely discounted, because the value of school spirit, rituals and fun is important to the overall health of a strong university, especially Tulane. However, after examining the situation fairly carefully, as a financial professional, and having done so as a member of student government during the "Tulane 2000" planning process, I would like to share my view that Div I athletics with football should be preserved. Thank you very much, and good luck with all of your efforts. ***** President Cowen and Board Members, I support ALL of Tulane Athletics remaining at the Division I-A level! I have become increasingly frustrated with the apparent deaf ears that President Cowen and the Board Members have turned on the alumni and students' wishes to remain at the Division I-A level. So now I believe the fight should be taken directly to the individual Board Members. The website, http://www.firecowen.com, on the page entitled "Board Members" contains names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses of the Board who are to voting on the fate of Tulane Athletics! Please visit the site and take the Athletic fight directly to the decision makers! Roll Wave! |