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Dr. Welty,
I write this letter to voice my opinion on YOUR decision
to drop the wrestling program at California State University
at Fresno. While it appears that you and Tom Boeh have “planned”
this out for sometime now, it does not seem to be well “thought”
out.
I have read the release from the Athletic Department in stating
the reasons for the removal of wrestling. I find these statements
to offer little more than a smoke screen. I have noted responses
to Your reasons in a letter to AD Tom Boeh.
When you addressed the faculty at CSUFresno in August of
2005, you stated, that you felt the university could become
“one of the nation’s best engaged universities
– recognized for our ability to engage a diverse group
of students in learning and for the ability to become actively
involved in a region and contribute to its transformation.”
Wrestlers are a diverse group of students; they come from
all walks of life, both from an economic and ethnic standpoint.
We, wrestlers, are also actively involved, as I am sure you
are beginning to find out. You also pointed out that as the
university looks forward to its centennial in 2011 that one
of your five themes to focus on was that of:
*Preparing those who are teaching our children. With nearly
a century of experience in preparing teachers for the classroom,
Fresno State has a
curriculum that covers everything from teaching preschool
to a doctoral program in educational leadership. The faculty
has already helped struggling schools resolve chronic budget
problems, deal with violence and promote family involvement.
We’re engaged in solving key problems faced by Central
California students – a lack of educational opportunities,
poor reading skills and a high drop-out rate. We’re
also preparing the educational leaders this region needs through
The Central Valley Educational Leadership Institute.
This may surprise you, but many wrestlers do go on to teaching
and coaching careers.
In addressing the intercollegiate athletic problems, you
stated that,
“Unfortunately, mistakes have been made which have had
a negative impact on our university. We must take steps to
restore the integrity of the
program and become a leader in student athlete academic performance
as well as on the field performance.”
Speaking of integrity, a noun meaning a steadfast adherence
to a strict moral or ethical code, what kind of integrity
did you and Tom Boeh exercise with the surprise announcement
of dropping wrestling program just weeks after approving a
budget that included the wrestling program?
Dr. Welty, I understand there may be some resentment with
the whole CSUF vs. FSU mentality. What if we could be thought
of in the same sentence as Ivy League schools such as: Brown,
Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Pennsylvania, and Princeton? Of
course, those schools still have a wrestling program.
Please reconsider YOUR decision to eliminate wrestling at
California State University Fresno.
Respectfully,
Rob Roy
CSUF Graduate
High School Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director
CIF Wrestling Official
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