To the Editor:
Although I am not a member of the Dartmouth women's hockey team and have never met Sarah Teuting '98, I am friends with many of the team members and can testify as to how hurt the team was when Tueting made comments on the commitment and desire of the girls in the program. I watched the women's hockey gold medal game with the team. At a time when both the Dartmouth team and the coaching staff should be proud of their program, Teuting used the spotlight to viciously attack the school that gave her the opportunity to play Division One hockey as well as for her country.
The players have a right to be hurt by Teuting's comments. We chastise professional athletes when they complain to the press about their teams -- why should we make an exception for Teuting? If she had a problem with her teammates, she should have gone to them instead of whining to the press.
Mike Lee '98 [Letter to the Editor, Feb. 23] claims the article ["Tueting won gold, but lost respect of teammates," The Dartmouth, Feb. 19] neglected to mention Teuting's athletic achievements. However, the reporter displayed that he had nothing but the utmost respect for her athletically: "the brilliant gold-medal-winning goalie," "Teuting, of course, comes off a stellar Olympic performance ..." The reporter praised Teuting for her athletic ability, but had a problem with her comments.
Lee also asks why the reporter did not have anything negative to say about Gretchen Ulion. This is because she did not feel the need to trash her school. She had enough respect for her teammates and coaches as people and players not to say anything behind their backs. Although my admiration for Ulion continues to grow, based both on her excellent play and classy demeanor, it is difficult for me to admire a player such as Teuting. Her superior athletic ability is no excuse for her to insult the people who supported her here. Instead of stories about this year's Ivy League champions (and a classy group of players), the nation hears about the supposed lack of desire of the team (anyone who has played a sport will tell you a team ranked third in the nation has some desire to win). It is a shame a sport already clamoring for respect has to face this setback.
Teuting was and is a great goalie. I am glad she helped my country win a gold medal. All the same, every time I am in the stands watching the Dartmouth team play, I feel glad she is no longer playing. And I wish I didn't have to feel that way.
