Dear Dartmouth Presidents and others in charge,

 

 My name is Aneta Hunek, and I am from the University of Texas in Austin.

 I recently heard about the proposed cancellation of the swimming and

 diving program at Dartmouth. As a best friend of a Dartmouth swimmer and a

 former swimmer myself, this situation touched me deeply.

 

 I know that cutting back on money is important and necessary, but

 there MUST be other ways than by shattering dreams, hobbies and passions.

 Unless you have been in a sport and been so dedicated to it, I don't think you

 could possibly know what a big change you are about to impose on these

 swimmers and divers lives.

 

 Imagine waking up every morning before the sun rises, while others

 are still asleep. Imagine not going out to parties, not drinking with

 everyone else because you have practice in the early morning the next day, or a

 swim meet to get ready for. Imagine all the hours of relaxing and free time

 that these athletes are giving up for this sport, for this school. Imagine

 breathing, dreaming and living swimming/diving, 24 hours a day. We

 dream about it, imagine flip turns and diving at all times of the day... looking

 forward to the next time that we will smell that familiar chlorine smell, or feel

 the nervousness that you get when you're at a swim meet, about to swim the

 even that you have spent years training for. You have absolutely no idea

 what a big deal it is. You have no idea, unless you've lived it yourself.

 

 How can you not realize that these swimmers and divers are

 representing YOU, are trying to make YOU proud and make YOU look good? This is not

 only a slap in the face, a disappointment, but you are also breaking these

 athletes hearts.

 

 I truly hope that you reconsider your decision.

 

 Sincerely,

 Aneta Hunek