2008 Woodie Awards
Athletes in tough situation
Issue date: 2/17/06 Section: Rocket Letters
To the Editor:
I am at a loss, a loss for words and a loss for knowing what to do. It has been a little over two weeks since the university has dropped eight athletic teams. Even though time has gone on, the emotional aspect of this situation has not died down. Does the administration think that our feelings on this subject will fade out anytime in the future? The answer is simple: No, they will not. This matter has cut right to my heart and is a wound that will not heal. These pains make me feel, again, like I am at a loss for what I need to do.
Should I leave my family here at Slippery Rock? I can't swim here anymore, and I cannot play water polo…two things that have shaped the person I am today. My father's job of being a Colonel in the Marine Corps has forced me to move around my whole life. In fact, I have moved a total of 12 times in 19 years, going to a total of three different high schools. Swimming and water polo were the only things in my life that remained a constant. They helped me keep balanced and stable. They brought me to friends I would have never found otherwise. These sports were my life support through out all my difficult times and moves.
Upon high school graduation and being recruited to participate in athletics at SRU, I was looking forward to one main thing. And that was to remain in one place for four years and not have to say goodbye to anyone. Again, these two sports brought me to a place and people I would have never met if I didn't participate in them. I would have never even known about Slippery Rock if it wasn't for these sports.
So, you might ask, what's the trouble? This is your opportunity to meet more people somewhere else at another school that still has an aquatics program. But that is the worse resolution to this problem. I was finally given the opportunity to be at a school where I can be proud for the alma mater and not have to leave it a year or two after enrolling. I can spend time with the people I know now and learn more about them on a deeper level because I know that I won't be leaving anytime soon. But what about the people who feel too betrayed to even stay here? I have to say good bye to them. I shouldn't have to say goodbye to some of these people that have helped me grow. It's not time to move, nor is it time to graduate. But most importantly, how can I say goodbye to these sports? They are not something that I just participate in; they are a way of life. Chlorine literally runs in my veins, well at least through my pores.
I am now faced with the burden of fixing this problem. My teams and I will not settle for a club. We came to Slippery Rock to compete as a varsity team. That is our dream. That is how we were pulled into coming to the Rock. I not only have to worry about keeping my head on straight during this current water polo season and getting my degree, which is a work load in itself, but also knowing how this school operates on an administrators level to figure out what I need to do about this situation.
My parents always told me that there is a resolution to every problem, and the hard part is just finding it. I will show them that they are right, and I will find it. I will find it for my teammates, other athletes that have got cut and any other prospective students that have dreams to play in any of the eight sports were eliminated here at SRU.
Beth Choike
Sophomore
Communication major
Women's Water Polo & Co-Captain of
Women's Swimming
I am at a loss, a loss for words and a loss for knowing what to do. It has been a little over two weeks since the university has dropped eight athletic teams. Even though time has gone on, the emotional aspect of this situation has not died down. Does the administration think that our feelings on this subject will fade out anytime in the future? The answer is simple: No, they will not. This matter has cut right to my heart and is a wound that will not heal. These pains make me feel, again, like I am at a loss for what I need to do.
Should I leave my family here at Slippery Rock? I can't swim here anymore, and I cannot play water polo…two things that have shaped the person I am today. My father's job of being a Colonel in the Marine Corps has forced me to move around my whole life. In fact, I have moved a total of 12 times in 19 years, going to a total of three different high schools. Swimming and water polo were the only things in my life that remained a constant. They helped me keep balanced and stable. They brought me to friends I would have never found otherwise. These sports were my life support through out all my difficult times and moves.
Upon high school graduation and being recruited to participate in athletics at SRU, I was looking forward to one main thing. And that was to remain in one place for four years and not have to say goodbye to anyone. Again, these two sports brought me to a place and people I would have never met if I didn't participate in them. I would have never even known about Slippery Rock if it wasn't for these sports.
So, you might ask, what's the trouble? This is your opportunity to meet more people somewhere else at another school that still has an aquatics program. But that is the worse resolution to this problem. I was finally given the opportunity to be at a school where I can be proud for the alma mater and not have to leave it a year or two after enrolling. I can spend time with the people I know now and learn more about them on a deeper level because I know that I won't be leaving anytime soon. But what about the people who feel too betrayed to even stay here? I have to say good bye to them. I shouldn't have to say goodbye to some of these people that have helped me grow. It's not time to move, nor is it time to graduate. But most importantly, how can I say goodbye to these sports? They are not something that I just participate in; they are a way of life. Chlorine literally runs in my veins, well at least through my pores.
I am now faced with the burden of fixing this problem. My teams and I will not settle for a club. We came to Slippery Rock to compete as a varsity team. That is our dream. That is how we were pulled into coming to the Rock. I not only have to worry about keeping my head on straight during this current water polo season and getting my degree, which is a work load in itself, but also knowing how this school operates on an administrators level to figure out what I need to do about this situation.
My parents always told me that there is a resolution to every problem, and the hard part is just finding it. I will show them that they are right, and I will find it. I will find it for my teammates, other athletes that have got cut and any other prospective students that have dreams to play in any of the eight sports were eliminated here at SRU.
Beth Choike
Sophomore
Communication major
Women's Water Polo & Co-Captain of
Women's Swimming
