Emerson is a small private college focused on communication and the arts. The majority of the institution – the student body, faculty, and administration – is largely unconcerned with athletics. Because of this, the Emerson Athletic Department is not very big, with only a very small portion of student body participation. Though the number of interested athletes is growing as Emerson grows, many potential athletes and current athletes are turning away for a variety of reasons. It is time something changes, not only for the school and the prospective student athletes, but for the current student athletes stuck in a sterile environment void of the motivation, the inspiration, and the growth most hope to encounter during their college careers. The athletes that compete for the school are disillusioned with phony concern and interest from Kristen Parnell; they are fed up with the cold lack of respect and the drastic incompetence of the Athletic Department's directors to provide a strong community-based, supportive, and welcoming environment for its athletes.

Aside from a complete lack of connection between the athletes and their department, there are also tangible examples that exemplify the general discontent in the face of unresolved issues.

            TURNOVER in the Past Four Years

·        There have been five different athletic trainers.

·        There have been three different women’s lacrosse coaches.

·        There have been two different men’s lacrosse coaches.

·        There have been two different men’s and women’s volleyball coaches.

·        There have been three different tennis coaches.

·        There have been two different women’s soccer coaches.

·        There have been two senior women’s administrators.

·        There has been one “gym manager” and one “athletic administrator” that do identical jobs, so let us just say two other administrators.

·        There have been two basketball head coaches (six assistant coaches).

o       First coach, Hank Smith, was fired for unknown reasons mid-season, after 16 years of dedication to Emerson College– Athletic Department has yet to discuss the reasoning with the athletes, which is only increasing the athletes’ doubt of the move’s validity. 

·        It should also be mentioned that the “sports information director,” Roger Crosley, was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame the year before he was fired from Emerson. He was inducted for work he did with another institution, however, this should at least prove his competence in the position, though it still says nothing of his active welcoming, and personal interest in the student athletes.

o       Ex: Roger was the ONLY administrator to congratulate Olivia DiNucci on scoring her 1,000th point in the three weeks prior to the “public” announcement, between the game it was scored, and when the award was given. This is striking because Roger had to do it via email, since he was fired roughly 6 months prior. The staff that saw Olivia every day did not say a word.

 

Whether the institution is Division I, Division II, NAIA, or Division III, the ultimate goal of athletics is to teach. Athletes play to compete, but coaches coach to teach. An athletic department is in charge of making sure that coaches have what they need to teach, and athletes have what they need to learn. At a school where athletics is not profitable, where the school does not sell tickets, hot dogs, or merchandise, and therefore awards no money to the athletes competing, the athletic department exists if for NO other reason then to serve the athletes paying their salaries. However, a strong learning, and nurturing community can not exist when every job is in question, and passion is thwarted. We know that Emerson Athletics is not your main concern, but we implore you to actively take a vested interest in the student-athletes of Emerson College, because the current administration simply does not.

 

Thank you so much for all of your time!