To the Editor:
Two weeks ago I received news regarding Dartmouth's decision to cut the swimming teams and felt as if I had been stabbed in the heart. Three years ago, as a varsity swimmer at James Madison University in Virginia, I was handed the same news from our administration. Our President and Athletic Director had issued a proposal to cut eight sports from the varsity program. For three straight months I did research, wrote letters, organized campaigns and gave speeches all in an attempt to save our sports teams. While the administration agreed not to cut the programs, the end result was much worse: they created a two-tier system in which 12 teams were fully funded and the remaining 13, including swimming, were left without scholarships and with drastic cuts in their budgets. A severe divide was formed in the athletic department and athletes who had originally banded together to save our sports were now turned against each other out of spite and remorse.
Looking back, I am not entirely surprised at JMU's decision. Poor leadership has cursed the school throughout the past decade and economic problems have plagued the state-supported school. But Dartmouth? A university founded upon the principles of creating the well-rounded student? A university famous for its leaders and top-notch faculty? And above all, a school with an enormous endowment fund from loyal alumni?
To think that an esteemed school like yours would ruin the college experience of nearly 60 student-athletes is beyond belief. I guarantee that if the varsity swim teams are cut, the money that you will lose from the future financial donations from those individuals (and from former Dartmouth swimmers) will go above and beyond the amount of money you will save by ending this program.
Please don't make these athletes feel the same disrespect and disgust with your athletic department that I feel with my alma mater's.
