A graduate in 1966, I played 3 years of water polo. That was the icing on the cake of a fine liberal arts education and an economics major, which eventually led to my satisfying career as an energy consultant. I have made an annual contribution to Occidental for 30 years because I want the college to be a success and make us all proud to have been a part. I knew many football players and other athletes who were excellent students, fine citizens, and active members of the Oxy family. I urge President Veitch to do what it takes to quickly resolve this situation and meet the needs of the students involved. That is the leadership Occidental now needs to show.
T
Trace Wallace
8 years ago
In solidarity
A
Alex Wertheimer
8 years ago
2011
K
Kevin Danni
8 years ago
Oxy Football is very important to me and I'm extremely disappointed in the lack of support from Oxy Athletics Dept. & School Administration. Alumni is united to rebuild this storied program!
F
Frank Cook
8 years ago
Sad to see the results of poor leadership at the College.
P
Phillip Anton
8 years ago
Featured
I fully support this petition, and am furious in how our AD has handled the Athletic Department (she had once been heard saying that "football is no longer king", & I believe she must have gone out of her way to bring it down. Disappointed how the President of Oxy has allowed this to happen under his watch!
J
John jackson
8 years ago
Not happy with the current state of affairs. Many great alumni came from the football program.
R
Ron Sommer
8 years ago
It is an indication of poor leadership when both academics and athletics decline. This is most likely the result of an underlying agenda with the administration which has resulted in a decline in the overall reputation and prestige of the college.
J
James Wanless
8 years ago
YES YES YES!!!
J
Jim Hicks
8 years ago
The allegations in the parent's letter indicate that these problems have been building for several years. Having followed the situation since Coach Widhoff left, it is apparent that the football program has not had the support of the school administration. Semones leaving and Cushman being thrust into the program with 4 weeks until the season starts is indicative of how bad things are at OXY. I hope that the situation is addressed by the Trustees and the administration with a positive resolution for the program. Otherwise the current players will leave and the recruiting efforts will not produce enough players to be competitive in the future.
J
John Gorrie '67
8 years ago
No, I was not on the team pre se. I was the equipment manager and sometime assist to the trainer, Pete Peterson during the 1965 and 1966 seasons. As close observer, I saw solid evidence of the maturation of strong, focused men of character. As impressive as some of their accomplishments were on the field, their accomplishments in their chosen fields has been even greater. Participation in team sports is essential in providing leadership, integrity and resourcefulness.
J
John Hough
8 years ago
My experience at Oxy was greatly enhanced as a result of my participation in the football program. I had the good fortune to play under Jim Mora. While I was only there for two years, my participation created an opportunity to establish life long friendships which influenced my life in such a positive way I will forever be grateful. I can say without a doubt, if not for football I may well have pursued my education elsewhere. Please don't loose sight of the impotence intercollegiate athletics plays in the overall development of the individual student-athlete. My success in business and life itself has been in large part due to the diverse academic and athletic experience afforded me at Occidental.
L
Larry Layne '71 Howard Layne '44
8 years ago
It's amazing that both my father and I selected Occidental because of the Football Program. His Hollywood High football took him and Vernon Carter to Oxy to meet the Oxy Head Coach - and the rest is a great story, Howard met Beth Odell - a Gamma Girl, got married, and I was the first of 3 kids !
R
Ray Wicken
8 years ago
Newport Beach Ca.
Class of 1969
R
R. B. Nichols
8 years ago
Class of 2006
R
Robert Renaud
8 years ago
2009
S
Scott M
8 years ago
Do right by your student athletes and listen to them. THEY put in all the work.
B
Brian Brickey
8 years ago
Student-athletes are always students first. But AD Hoffman has never allowed us to be true athletes.
J
Jared Charity
8 years ago
Class of 2006!
A
Arman Sertyan
8 years ago
Class of 2000 - Agree Oxy athletic dept needs an overhaul. Been on a downward spiral for too long.
A graduate in 1966, I played 3 years of water polo. That was the icing on the cake of a fine liberal arts education and an economics major, which eventually led to my satisfying career as an energy consultant. I have made an annual contribution to Occidental for 30 years because I want the college to be a success and make us all proud to have been a part. I knew many football players and other athletes who were excellent students, fine citizens, and active members of the Oxy family. I urge President Veitch to do what it takes to quickly resolve this situation and meet the needs of the students involved. That is the leadership Occidental now needs to show.
In solidarity
2011
Oxy Football is very important to me and I'm extremely disappointed in the lack of support from Oxy Athletics Dept. & School Administration. Alumni is united to rebuild this storied program!
Sad to see the results of poor leadership at the College.
I fully support this petition, and am furious in how our AD has handled the Athletic Department (she had once been heard saying that "football is no longer king", & I believe she must have gone out of her way to bring it down. Disappointed how the President of Oxy has allowed this to happen under his watch!
Not happy with the current state of affairs. Many great alumni came from the football program.
It is an indication of poor leadership when both academics and athletics decline. This is most likely the result of an underlying agenda with the administration which has resulted in a decline in the overall reputation and prestige of the college.
YES YES YES!!!
The allegations in the parent's letter indicate that these problems have been building for several years. Having followed the situation since Coach Widhoff left, it is apparent that the football program has not had the support of the school administration. Semones leaving and Cushman being thrust into the program with 4 weeks until the season starts is indicative of how bad things are at OXY. I hope that the situation is addressed by the Trustees and the administration with a positive resolution for the program. Otherwise the current players will leave and the recruiting efforts will not produce enough players to be competitive in the future.
No, I was not on the team pre se. I was the equipment manager and sometime assist to the trainer, Pete Peterson during the 1965 and 1966 seasons. As close observer, I saw solid evidence of the maturation of strong, focused men of character. As impressive as some of their accomplishments were on the field, their accomplishments in their chosen fields has been even greater. Participation in team sports is essential in providing leadership, integrity and resourcefulness.
My experience at Oxy was greatly enhanced as a result of my participation in the football program. I had the good fortune to play under Jim Mora. While I was only there for two years, my participation created an opportunity to establish life long friendships which influenced my life in such a positive way I will forever be grateful. I can say without a doubt, if not for football I may well have pursued my education elsewhere. Please don't loose sight of the impotence intercollegiate athletics plays in the overall development of the individual student-athlete. My success in business and life itself has been in large part due to the diverse academic and athletic experience afforded me at Occidental.
It's amazing that both my father and I selected Occidental because of the Football Program. His Hollywood High football took him and Vernon Carter to Oxy to meet the Oxy Head Coach - and the rest is a great story, Howard met Beth Odell - a Gamma Girl, got married, and I was the first of 3 kids !
Newport Beach Ca. Class of 1969
Class of 2006
2009
Do right by your student athletes and listen to them. THEY put in all the work.
Student-athletes are always students first. But AD Hoffman has never allowed us to be true athletes.
Class of 2006!
Class of 2000 - Agree Oxy athletic dept needs an overhaul. Been on a downward spiral for too long.