|
Questions and Comments We've Received May 16, 2003 A Tulane Athletic Dept. telethon? What are you, Jerry's Kids? You should be ashamed of yourselves. If you can't afford to be in Div 1A, get out of Div 1A. P.S. Next, you might want to try a can shake on Vets Hwy. ***** I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF NEW ORLEANS FOR 13 YEARS. I AM MARRIED TO A VERY LOYAL, VERY PROUD TULANE MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUATE. OUR FAMILY HAS ENJOYED BEING A PART OF THE TULANE COMMUNITY AND HAVE BEEN STRONG FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL AND THE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS. I FEEL IT WOULD HURT THE UNIVERSITY TREMENDOUSLY TO LOSE ITS DIVISION ONE RANKING. BEING A PART OF DIVISION ONE ATHLETICS NOT ONLY ENHANCES THE REPUTATION AND CREDIBILITY OF THE UNIVERSITY BUT ENCOURAGES A MORE DIVERSE STUDENT BODY. BUYING SEASON TICKETS AND ATTENDING TULANE FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL GAMES IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES NEW ORLEANS A MUCH MORE DESIREABLE CITY TO LIVE AND WORK IN. I FEEL IT WOULD BE A HUGE DISSERVICE TO THE CITY AND TO YOUR WONDERFULLY DIVERSE UNIVERSITY TO CHANGE TO A DIVISION THREE SCHOOL. IF THIS CHANGE WAS TO OCCUR I WOULD NOT COMMIT TO SEASON TICKETS. WE LOVE TULANE SPORTS THE WAY THEY ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROLL WAVE!!!! ***** I've read comments that Tulane athletics should be moved to Division III to allow competition in the University Athletic Association with schools such as Rochester and Case Reserve. Funny how Tulane's academic image didn't become a consideration until the Department of Athletics started losing $7 million per year. Football is the biggest athletic expense. Has the university considered staying in Division I, but playing nonscholarship football? Playing in the Pioneer League with Davidson College, Valparaiso, and the University of San Diego wouldn't hurt Tulane's academic reputation and would save millions of dollars. Savings would not only come from eliminating scholarships, but also from hiring a smaller, less expensive (mostly part-time) coaching staff. Could enough money be saved from playing I-AA nonscholarship football that a wholesale move to Division III could be avoided? Certainly, Division I membership has its benefits, and we should remain in Division I for as many sports as possible. Moving to I-AA nonscholarship football wouldn't prevent the Greenies from scheduling Rochester, and it wouldn't burn Tulane's bridges to Division I. ***** As an alumnus of Tulane, Class of 1943, I want to voice my support for Rick Dickson in view of all he has done to improve the quality of Tulane Athletics. I make this statement knowing that he is to make a major presentation before the Board of Administrators soon. Having been weaned on Tulane football, I certainly hope that a way can be found to avoid eliminating this sport from University participation. It is no doubt the sport that galvanizes fan support more than any other. |