During the final stages of Daly Field construction and coming into preseason, it was advertised to us that we would have access to a locker room that would be ours to use exclusively, and throughout the past month we have taken the time to make it our home. However, it was brought to our attention yesterday that Brighton High School football team has asked to use the two locker rooms designated to Simmons Field Hockey and Soccer for their opponents to use during home games.

In order for them to utilize this space, we would need to completely empty it of any personalization, as well as all the equipment left there for use at practice and games. By doing so, we would completely give up the advantage of having a true “home field”. In our current situation, we already make a daily commute to Daly Field, which has impacted many of our academic and personal schedules. The sacrifice to give up the exclusive use of our locker rooms is one that we feel is not justified. We recognize that this is a shared facility with Brighton, and as it stands right now, we share the space equally. However, if Brighton’s opponents were to use our locker rooms, it would surpass the equity that is held. Furthermore, Brighton has asked to use the field hockey field for their visitors to warm up on, forcing Field Hockey to end their practice early on Fridays. This would happen a total of 8 Fridays during our fall season.

We believe that these actions go against the values of Simmons athletics. During recruitment, and again at the start of every season, we are reminded as athletes at a women’s-centered college that we are put first. The overview of athletics on the website states this clearly, “Unlike coeducational institutions where women's teams often take a back seat to the men's programs, Simmons gives its ‘Sharks’ the best practice times, outstanding equipment and facilities, and funding.” It is apparent that the promises made to us aren’t being upheld.

Thank you for taking our concerns into consideration. Through this we would like to see a change regarding Brighton’s use of our facilities. We hope that we will not be forced to give up our resources to the opponents of a high school boy's football program.