Hi all,
My name is Brian Anderson. I am currently a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I and two other students from Minnesota, Ryan Madson & Luke Schiefelbein, came to MIT with the expectation of wrestling. I am from the Redwood Falls area, Ryan is from Hutchinson, and Luke is from the Kimball area. Unfortunately, MIT cut 8 varsity sports last spring, including
wrestling.
Our coach Tom Layte, who was a national champion for Augsburg, and other alumni have been working with the administration here for the last few months to get the program reinstated. We have approximately $1.5 million raised to set up an endowment for the wrestling program, so money is no longer an issue. However, the administration is still not budging, stating reasons such as "lack of viability and vitality." Here is the response the chancellor sent me a few days ago regarding reinstatement:
"I am writing to respond to your email to the President and me regarding reinstatement of the varsity wrestling program. I have considered reinstatement. In recent weeks we have had many conversations and we have considered promises of support. We reviewed the data that define viability. After considering all of the input, we have concluded that the original decision was correct. We will not reinstate the program.
I know this decision is a disappointment. You show real passion for the program. Team members also show a commendable passion and hate giving up. In the end, we have to be guided by the data and by a sense of fairness to all of the sports that lost varsity status as well to our obligation to support and sustain the 33 remaining varsity sports. In a stable resource environment that we expect will return, we believe that we can provide the support that will keep our varsity program strong."
I am asking anyone who does not wish to see this program cut and who is willing to send an email or several emails to the MIT administration arguing on behalf on our program. However, we do not wish to convey a sense of anger towards the administration. That would not help our cause. We simply want to express support for the program and wrestling in general. State why you think wrestling is a great sport to maintain, and the disappointment you would have if it remains cut.
MIT is a great institution and I am very happy to be here, but wrestling is still one of my top passions. I would hate to not have the same opportunities for competitive wrestling here as I did in high school. That is why I'm begging for any assistance in this issue. I hope that if we swamp the administration with emails and letters on behalf of the program, they may see the nationwide support that the sport has. I have already asked many people to write, but I know that the Guillotine is full of people with a love and passion for wrestling, so this is an ideal place to ask for help.
Here is an email from one of the wrestling captains with the Administrators' email addresses and positions. If you wish to send a letter or fax, you can just google the person's name and title and find whatever contact information you need. Thank you for any assistance or support you can provide.
"Hey Guys,
If you haven't already make sure to send emails to Julie Soriero, Dean
Chris Colombo, President Susan Hockfield and Chancellor Phill Clay. It is
very important that you guys do this as soon as possible.
Here are their email addresses:
Chancellor Phillip Clay <plclay@MIT.EDU>
Athletic Director Julie Soriero <jsoriero@MIT.EDU>
Dean Costantino Colombo <ccolombo@MIT.EDU>
President Susan Hockfield <hockfield@mit.edu>
Also, make sure to be respectful when you write. These are the people who make
the decision. We want them on our side.
Thanks,
Joe"