Letter to the Board of Trustees of Whittier College - Football, Lacrosse, Golf

Quitting is never the proper response to adversity.

Terrible decision by the institution. Some of the best prospective students-athletes won't come. Loss of donor money for the athletic department .

This is extremely heart breaking. One of my students was just presented with an offer and the next day you do this. What about all of the athletes that are currently there on a scholarship for those sports?

SAVE OUR SPORTS

How does the President plan on replacing all these male students? Now and in the future?

Poet football is a tradition and ending should not happen.

There is no way you cannot get rid of a team that’s been around that long.

Reverse these decisions made in a vacuum. Please include Alumni as we together can find solutions. These teams must remain part of Whittier’s history and future memories…

As a WC alumni and football player the sports deserve the respect and effort to make them reputable. Keep the programs !

Lyn Dobrzycki Carty Class of 1996 (BA), 1998 (MA) Soccer and cheer

Former player and alumni class of 2009, I wholeheartedly disagree with the decision and support this petition

Disappointed

As a former WC Board of Trustees member of many years, I find this action to eliminate the three sports to be not only shocking but appalling. This decision is in NO way supportive of the ideals and tradition of Whittier College. It appears that this is instead a movement by a few to promote their self interest and personal motives. Individuals who behave on their own agendas should be removed from authority. Too many things are coming into the light of day that are alarming and definitely expose actions completed outside the view of many interested parties. WC has always been a place where open discussion of even difficult issues have been welcomed and led to agreeable conclusions. Full transparency is required before decisions are made, since this leadership is unwilling to do that they need to be replaced hopefully before it is too late.

Keep athletic sports!!!!! These sports help deal with the stress of academics.

This is outrageous and adds to the list of reasons that my children aren't allowed to attend my alma mater.

A great friend of mine would not have had the opportunity to get their degree and continuing the sport they love without the programs at this school. The right coaches and these programs could be on the right track again within a year. When run properly they can be a great source of revenue for the educational institution they represent. Cancelling these programs would be a mistake, it will be much harder to ever bring them back. It will be a decision that almost can not be unmade. And it would all be because the program was being run by the wrong people when it comes to the football program. I strongly urge you to reconsider. you will loose students, you will loose revenue, and you will loose the interest of athletes who would have attended in the future. Bring in a new staff. Give a young successful high school coach an opportunity. Let these kids play sports. Consider changing your mascot.

As a longtime Poet supporter who grew up attending more sporting events than I can count, I’m sad for the Whittier College community to hear this decision. Although I did not attend Whittier like 10 of my immediate family members did — and chose a different university — it’s always been a special place to me. This example of leadership will deter student athletes from coming to WC. It will also eliminate funds, and support from fans in the community. Potentially more importantly, it’s very disheartening to the current Whittier college students, alumni, family members, fans and donors. People do not invest financially or emotionally in a place where they feel deceived. This decision was planned in a way to avoid attention, and backlash that’s been seen in this petition. Good leaders do not have to deceive those around them to make change. They are confident enough in their decision-making and perspective to consult the people who are directly impacted by their decisions. Do better, WC leadership. (Previously) proud Sister, daughter, cousin, granddaughter and niece of Poets.

Whittier College should not get rid of their sports because William McFarland can change their baseball team for the better.

Educators are hired to educate and support their students academic and athletic endeavors. The lame excuse for nixing legacy sports programs (Lacrosse and football) is pathetic. It is akin to an agenda by WC staff to direct students toward a WOKE gender neutral society. We see through your agenda and will not allow you to destroy our Poet traditions. Prepare for battle…. The smell of war is in the air

The sports should keep being part of the campus because there are students who use college sports for their future