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Dear Mr. Boeh,
I deeply am saddened these days to call myself Fresno State
Alumni, actually more embarrassed. When I heard the news Thursday
that you decided to cut the program with no prior warning
to anyone I was amazed. How do you have the nerve to walk
in and just say you are in and you are gone? I cannot even
fathom what kind of heart you must have, is it made of ice?
I understand that the Athletic Department needs to be in balance;
however the way you handled it was very unprofessional and
very disrespectful. You have cut one of the teams that have
lead and supported their athletes all the way to the Olympics.
Can you sit there and say that wrestling means nothing and
is not recognized?
In regards to some of the reasons you have stated for cutting
the program, they were not very well thought out.
• An anticipated net annual financial savings of $350,000-$400,000
(not likely to be fully realized until 2008), which will help
the long-term financial stability of the athletics program.
My only question is why was the program cut so fast if the
University will not see the savings for a whole year? Why
did you have to drop Wresteling effective immediately instead
of allowing the community and Fresno State Wrestling supporters
help raise money to help the team out? I was in school when
the men and woman’s diving team and men’s soccer
program was cut and they were able to try and raise the money
to have their team reinstated. Of course though, you were
not there for those times, you are a new person that is trying
to make a name for yourself here in the Valley. As far as
I am concerned you have made quiet a name for yourself.
•The recent history of academic achievement within the
wrestling program
You are so worried about the Fresno State Wrestling Teams
grades but, their grades are not all over the headlines. What
you do see all over the headlines is another Fresno State
basketball player being arrested for something or the team
being placed on suspension for going against WAC rules. I
would think that anyone smart enough would think those basketball
players going to jail and the team being placed on suspension
is a little more serious than someone getting a bad grade.
•The absence of a dedicated wrestling practice facility
and locker room
Here you are stating that there is not a facility for them
to properly work out in and dress in but, how is the facility
and locker room any different than it was last year of the
year before? How is the room or facilities not adequate? Who
has complained?
•Wrestling carries a significant roster and scholarship
level. It also does not have a like women’s program
You are pointing out here that there is no women’s
program that is alike to wrestling but, who ever said that
a woman could not wrestle? I have seen woman want to wrestle
and enjoyed wrestling. If Fresno State would allow women to
tryout for the team would it then be ok? I think if I were
Pat Hill, I would watch out since woman cannot play football.
Will you go after the football team next?
As to the significant roster and scholarship level, there
are only 9.9 equivalency full scholarships and a roster of
35 student-athletes, how many scholarships does the equestrian
team have, how many do they have on their roster?
Also, if the scholarship money is such a big thing, cut the
scholarship offers out. I am sure that if you were to tell
the Fresno State Wrestling team that they could still wrestle
for Fresno State but there would be no scholarships, they
would by ok with it. All they want to do is Wrestle!
•Reinstatement of men’s cross country
How on earth do you expect to bring people into watch men’s
cross country and get public support? Yes, the $25,000 annually,
will be recovered via the NCAA sport sponsorship distribution,
subsequently, any additional cost for the program will be
negligible. Will the additional cost be expected to be brought
in by fundraisers or boosters? How will this cost be covered?
When you were brought on as Fresno States new Athletic Director
you stated, “In being hired at California State University
at Fresno, you stated, "I am extremely enthused by the
staggering potential of Fresno State Athletics. There are
obvious challenges facing the program today, but we intend
to meet them all HEAD-ON and build upon the great tradition
of the Bulldog Athletics program." Well I can firmly
say that you have not met the problem head-on, you have done
what you feel is best instead of what is best for the University
and the Community it serves.
Always remember that Fresno State is not a Private school
but a Public School meaning that is serves the community and
should have communities input in these types of decisions.
If not the community, at least other University officials
should be able to have a say in what the future hold for programs.
My husband and I have decided that we are no longer going
to support Bulldog Athletics until the reinstatement of the
Fresno State Wrestling Team. I strongly recommend that you
re-think your decision and allow the Fresno State Wrestling
Team to be reinstated.
Sincerely,
Adriana M. Hopper
Fresno State Alumni
Cc:
John Welty, President of Fresno State University
Email: johnw@csufresno.edu
Juan Arambula- California State Assemble Member
JArambula@co.fresno.ca.us
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
http://www.govmail.ca.gov
Allen Autry – Mayor of Fresno
Mayor@fresno.gov
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