Dr. James Wright, President
Dartmouth College
Hinman Box 6001
Hanover, NH 03755
 
Dear President Wright:
 
A wise philosopher once commented that an eagle’s only obstacle to overcome to fly with greater speed and ease is the air.  Yet if the air were withdrawn, and the proud bird were to fly in a vacuum, it would instantly fall to the ground – unable to fly at all.  The same elements that offer resistance to flying is at the same time the condition for flight.
 
The same law – that obstacles are conditions of success – hold true in human life!  This has particular meaning to me as I see divers every day with such talent perform the most complex and difficult airborne performances in all of sport.  They overcome obstacles to achieve perfection, an incomparable image of athletic grace suspended in air and the imagination forever.
 
Dartmouth College has an opportunity to take an obstacle and engage and rally, student-athletes, parents, alumni, and corporations to help save the aquatics program and possibly fund a new pool.  This would be an incredible story that could really take flight for the sport, for fundraising and for your college. The consequences of hurting 54 tuition paying students, their parents and 81 years of accumulative Dartmouth aquatics alumni verses the goodwill you would generate by reconsidering your decision would be paramount.  I encourage you to think of this as an opportunity for Dartmouth.
 
I know you are in a tough situation and you have my best wishes for a positive solution for all involved.
 
Sincerely,
 
Todd B. Smith
Executive Director
 
Cc:  Jim Larimore, Dean of the College
       Josie Harper, Athletic Director