SGA senator defends decision

To The Editor:

The purpose of this legislation is not to use athletes as political tools, it is to stand up and protect minority students who were attacked not only by statements made by Falwell, but Liberty University as well.

The university has issued a number of official statements that run counterproductive to our institution’s official statements concerning diversity (such as opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment, making statements saying women should not hold positions of leadership, homosexuality leads to violence, and the Antichrist has to be Jewish).

We don’t want to punish the athletes in any way. We are simply supporting the non-renewal of tennis matches, as well as basketball and football games.

ASU is a great school that will have no problem filling these matches with equivalent—if not better teams—so our athletes won’t have any problem doing what they do best: competing and excelling in athletics.

All we are trying to do here is show our students that we care when they are attacked by institutions that we are affiliated with, and we will stand up and show we care by disassociating ourselves with those institutions.

Athletics are our only direct monetary connection with Liberty University, and their school benefits financially from our relationship.

Many students feel that we should not support them financially, especially those who have been attacked by their statements.

If Student Government won’t stand up for its students, who will?

Paul Funderburk
pf41613@cp.appstate.edu
SGA Representative

To The Editor:

Yesterday (Oct. 16), we were deeply saddened by reading Sean Oakley’s column on protesting the tragedies that are occurring in Afghanistan. Troubled because, oddly enough, both of our dads also taught us that you have to look out for your family first and foremost and we believe that is what those of us who unite against military action are doing.

We are looking out for our starving family in Africa who, because we, along with nearly every other American, lives well beyond a sustainable means.

We are looking out for our family in Mexico fighting for the liberation of indigenous people. We are looking out for our family in the Middle East, who continue to struggle with one another because they are unable to come to agreements over struggles that are as old as civilization itself.

We are also looking out for our family members in Afghanistan who are innocently dying because [of a] a regime in control of their nation.

Sincerely,
Scott Strickler and Jamie Rhoads
JamesARhoads@aol.com

Keep athletes out of political playground

To The Editor:

As a student-athlete at Appalachian State I feel that I should respond to the Student Government Association-proposed bill to support any administrative decision to terminate or not renew sporting contracts with Liberty. First, as an individual, I agree Dr. Jerry Falwell’s statements following the attacks were ignorant and go against everything he claims to believe. Christians are taught not to judge, but to love and show mercy.

Second, I would like to say to the SGA, Ian Mance and Paul Funderburk that student-athletes are not your political tools. This proposed bill was designed to use the student-athletes’ high profile at this institution. In my opinion, selfish behavior such as that should not be tolerated. As a student-athlete, I came to ASU to compete on the playing field, not in your political arena.

Sports were designed centuries ago as a release and escape from war, conflict and political turmoil. Although I admit that politics often come into play in sports, I believe that they have no place. Sports are about competition that begins when the gun sounds or when the ball is tossed up. That competition then should end when the last man crosses the line or when the buzzer sounds.

In 1980, the United States boycotted the Moscow Olympic Games because of politics. Hundreds of U.S. athletes had sacrificed their lives to compete in the Olympic spirit of unity without political conflict stepping into the stadium. Those athletes’ goals and dreams were destroyed because of politics. Frankly, competing against Liberty or not won’t affect my athletic pursuits at ASU.

There are plenty of schools with better athletic programs. I simply feel politics have no place in my sport. There is enough conflict in the world as is without adding more through one of our only escapes.

Keep Sport Pure,
Greg Hipp
ASU Student-athlete
Cross-Country / Track and Field
greghipp@asutrackandfield.com

To The Editor:

(The Liberty proposals passed by the Faculty Senate and tentatively slated to be voted on by the SGA Senate tonight) bring to light a dilemma for sports such as cross country and track and field. If this proposal is passed, what do I do as a coach? Liberty University is a member institution of the NCAA with a classification of Division I.

When we travel to compete at the NCAA District III championships to see who goes on to compete at nationals, Liberty will be there. It is an NCAA regional championship and qualifying event. If we do not compete against Liberty there, none of our athletes will be able to advance to the NCAA championships.

The NCAA decides who may or may not compete there. I and our institution cannot decide which region to compete in. When we travel to major invitationals and the national championships, we do not always know who will be in the competition. If this proposal is passed, what do I do as a coach? I have made travel plans, spent university money and prepared student athletes for these events. What do I do if Liberty is there? Do I withdraw or go against a university policy?

I ask those involved in this situation to re-evaluate what is trying to be accomplished. Dr. Falwell is an American citizen and is free to make stupid and insensitive remarks. I disagree with Falwell as do many of the students, faculty and staff of both ASU and Liberty. Please be aware of the ramifications such a proposal may have on our student athletes.

If passed, many of our student athletes and coaches will have to make a decision to follow their dreams of competing at the NCAA championships or supporting a policy of a university they attend and cherish.

Sincerely,
Michael Curcio
Head Coach,
ASU Cross Country