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From: Nicole McNeil [mailto:nmcneil@glrealty.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 1:28 PM
To: 'tboeh@csufresno.edu'
Cc: 'johnw@csufresno.edu'; 'Mayor@fresno.gov'; 'JArambula@co.fresno.ca.us'
Subject: Fall 2006/2007 Incoming Freshman Lamar D. Reed Student
ID # 104944723 - Student Athlete / Wrestling
Good Afternoon Mr. Boeh,
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest
concern regarding the cancellation of the Wrestling Program.
Most importantly, the manner in which this information was
disseminated to the student athletes. Your department did
not have the decency to meet with the students, coaches, and
parents. My son is 17 years old, an honor student and a great
athlete. This young man has accomplished many things on and
off the wrestling mat. He started this sport as a 13 yr old
freshman at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California
and was able to elevate his skills to the collegiate level.
Your decision is crushing his dream in addition to taking
away an opportunities that he could have explored at other
institutions.
Many of the Football coaches for Crespi are also Fresno Alumni's.
He is the first wrestler from this high school to compete
on the college level in addition to being the first male in
our family to attend college. This moment that should be filled
with excitement and pride has now been overshadowed by this
decision which has caused my son a great deal of emotional
distress.
I find it difficult to accept this decision and the manner
in which this entire situation is unfolding. My son had other
opportunities that were forgone because of the decision to
wrestle for Fresno. His academic achievements created many
opportunities at some of the most respected institutions in
this country. University of Miami, USC, Northwestern, Baylor,
CSUN, SFSU... just to name a few. The only reason he decided
to attend your institution is because of the Wrestling program.
Do you realize this is not just about the scholarship that
the institution has agreed to extend in spite of the discontinuance
of the Wrestling program. This is about tradition, honor,
hard work, and perseverance. This was a long hard road for
my son and I'm sure the other parents of the new recruits
have similar stories.
This young man has beat incredible odds that were stacked
against him. I will not discuss the obstacles at this time
but I will say that wrestling saved my son's life! It gave
him the outlet he needed to stay focused and to avoid many
of the challenges that our young people are facing today.
There is an opportunity cost here... My son gave up other
opportunities at prestigious institutions who did not have
a wrestling program to attend your school! There are financial
decisions that his father and I made because of his attendance
at this institution. Did you consider the affect this decision
would have on the incoming freshman? We attended a recruiting
session in April, signed letters of intent in May, paid for
housing, etc. etc. etc... THESE BOYS WANT TO COMPETE AT AN
NCAA TOURNAMENT. THIS IS THERE DREAM!!!!!
My son received a phone call, no one followed up with me
and neither one of us really have a clue as to the real reason
the program is being cancelled. There was no official letter
explaining how this decision was made. This is just one big
MESS!!! These young men deserve an opportunity to prove themselves
on the mat. They should at least have an opportunity to compete
one season to turn things around and if the administration
is not satisfied, they can make a determination as to how
viable the program is at that point.
Coach Charles deserves more respect than he is receiving
at this time. This is a new coach with a strong work ethic
and leadership skills. He has not been given a reasonable
amount of time to turn this program around!
I would like to speak with you in the near future, please
contact me at (310)867-3727 cell or (818)986-8184 work. I
would like to take the time to ask you to reconsider this
decision. What can we do to save this program???
Respectfully yours,
Nicole McNeil-Reed
Concerned Parent
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