To Those Involved With the Cutting of Dartmouth Swimming:

 

In the wake of a poor economy and the misuse of Title IX, it is not all

too surprising to see the attempt to kill yet another swim program.

However, it is not the least bit less saddening; rather, it is a painful

slap in the face.

 

I have no relative connections with Dartmouth University, nor its men's

and women's swim teams. Nevertheless, being a high school senior and

having already applied to six universities, I am well aware of Dartmouth.

I know for facts that the cost of tuition at the university is over

$38,000 per year. I know for a fact that the university has an endowment

of over $2 billion dollars. I know for a fact that the Ivy League is

COMMITTED to providing an environment where learning and development is

the top priority, and that this is not limited to classrooms, labs, and

textbooks, but includes all activities that develop the character and

understanding of the students. Undoubtedly, that is why Ivy League

schools boast the broadest athletic programs of any other schools across

the country. Swimming is included for a reason, it is one of the most

demanding and fulfilling sports, and the character of swimmers and their

results in the classroom speak for themselves. What I did not know for a

fact, but I assumed, was that Dartmouth, like other premiere schools, was

committed to putting their gobs of money into providing the best

opportunity for their students. What I assumed was that Dartmouth would

not let the pocket change amount of $212,000 put an end to millions upon

millions of hours of dedication, self-development, and tradition developed

in their swimming program.

 

I need not go into great detail of why swimming should be preserved, for

you already know of countless reasons to keep the teams. If you do not

know these reasons, then you should be step down from your position and

let those with common sense fill them. It has been stated that swimming

has been cut for financial reasons. This reason is poor and shows a lack

of priorities by those of you who have made this decision. It also shows

a lack of respect. To those swimmers who came to Dartmouth and were

dedicated to the school and the team. To those who are currently

sacrificing their time by giving it to the school they are loyal to and

the sport they love. To those swimmers that have been recruited to swim

at Dartmouth next year and to those prospective student-athletes for the

years to come.

 

Actually, I believe that your decision shows a lack of respect for me. I

have been swimming competitively since the age of five and plan on

continuing my swimming career in college. Swimming is something that has

made me a better person, someone I never could have been without it. It

does the same to hundreds of thousands of other swimmers, and it is

disheartening to all those you have believed in swimming to see such a

prestigious, storied university such as Dartmouth take that opportunity

away. Please realize that your decision not only affects the 53 members

currently on the Dartmouth University swim team, but also swimmers, and

even other student-athletes, across the country.

 

I pray that those of you made this decision, who wished to quickly rid

yourself of a problem with a quick-fix solution, will realize that this

issue will not quietly slip away into the night. I kindly ask you to

rethink your priorities, for they should reflect the priorities of the

university, of the Ivy League, and of institutions throughout our country.

Please reinstate the men's and women's swimming teams at Dartmouth

University. Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

 

David Hochstetler

Captain, Bremen High School Swim Team

Bremen, IN 46506