Ms. Josie Harper

Director of Athletics

Dartmouth College

6083 Alumni Gymnasium

Hanover, NH    03755

 

Dear Ms. Harper,

I am writing you concerning the issue of Dartmouth's decision to drop its men's and Women's Swimming Programs. I was quite dismayed and disheartened when I became aware of this decision. My daughter, Julie '02, is a past four year letterman and Captain of the Women's team.  She called me at work, disconsolate and distraught, to break the news.  That, of course, is a somewhat personal note, but I share it with you to illustrate how very meaningful and significant that experience was in her life.  Her reaction and feelings, I know, can be replicated many, many times over by other young women who have had the good fortune to be a part of that program.  The reason being, I believe from first hand observation, is that it was every bit as seminal to them as their academic experience at Dartmouth.  While the Dartmouth experience as a whole is absolutely wonderful, the reality for students is that it is made up of parts that are very important to them, much like the blocks of a foundation, and the damage or dissolution of a part(s) can seriously compromise or obscure the good of the whole.

      I cannot imagine, in any way, better representatives and ambassadors for Dartmouth than the young women and their families that I have had the privilege of meeting in my association with Dartmouth Swimming.  They are absolutely first rate in every regard.  In terms of "personnel" investment over the long term I cannot believe it would serve Dartmouth's self interest to eliminate a draw of such dynamic young people.  I would be remiss here if I were not to commend Coach Joann Brislin for enthusiastically recruiting these type of young women to Dartmouth and then caring for them as individuals and as a group (much less the coaching part!) so as to engender the resulting passion they have for Dartmouth Swimming.

      I would implore you to revisit this issue and find some way to maintain Dartmouth Swimming.  While I certainly comprehend the financial logic presented as justification for this position and know that it is your responsibility to examine those issues, may I also say that you did not foresee, and it would have been IMPOSSIBLE to do so, the deep emotional connection that so many people have with Dartmouth Swimming.  Unfortunately many times those types of views are not known until the object of people's affections are endangered.  I would hope that this would present a new perspective for you to examine in relation to this issue and provide compelling reason for keeping Dartmouth Swimming for the vital part of the Dartmouth community that it is.

      I must also add, on a personal note, that I would pledge to always continue my financial support for both Friends of Dartmouth Swimming and the Sponsor Program if Dartmouth Swimming is continued. In closing, please keep in mind what a tremendously big "part of the whole" Dartmouth Swimming has been and can continue to be for as an

accomplished segment of your student body and alumni as you could ever hope to have.

 

Sincerely,

 

                                        James N. Hasson

                                        Father of Julie, D’02