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Hello everyone! My name is Bridget Hild and
I am writing this e-mail out of concern for my teammates and future URI
gymnasts. As some of you may already know the URI Women’s Gymnastics
Program was recently informed that this would be our last competitive
season. On Thursday, January 31st the coaching staff and the URI Team
was informed of this demise. After receiving a phone call at 10:00 am
we reported to the Mackal Conference Room for what we thought was a
routine meeting. We were discussing our upcoming meet at Brown, however
when our coaches and athletic administration walked through the door the
mood of our team completely shifted.
Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn sat at the
front of the room accompanied by Lauren Anderson, Senior Associates
Director, Barbara Leubke, Faculty Athletic Representative, and Tom
Dougan, Vice President of Student Affairs. Thorr Bjorn began the
meeting by stating that, "there is no easy way to say this, so I will
just say it. The university has decided to discontinue women’s
gymnastics and replace it with Women’s Lacrosse." Leaving us stunned
and upset he tried to explain that it was because we were not a part of
the Atlantic Ten Division. Seeing as football is a part of CCA we
thought that this was not a justified reason. He then told us that it
was a Title IX issue and that the Lacrosse team would add eight more
roster spots for compliance. The final explanation was that the sport
of gymnastics is dwindling. After about 10 minutes the meeting came to
an abrupt ending and the administrators left the conference room. They
left a team of twenty girls and two coaches devastated, angry, and
confused with many unanswered questions.
If any of you would like to see the
official press release please visit
www.gorhody.com.
I have also attached an article written by one of our seniors and a
speech that Junior Lauren Wasilewski gave at the beginning of practice
on Friday. Our schedule is also attached and our hope is that many of
you can come to not only a home meet but an away meet as well.
To prevent the demise of gymnastics
programs across the nation please show your support by forwarding this
e-mail to everyone you know in the gymnastics and business communities.
There will be a petition at the entrance of every meet this year and
hope that many of you can come to sign it. Even after this terrible
news the team is remaining positive about season and we will not go down
without a fight! As a non-competitive senior, I will be dedicating my
time this season to this cause. If anyone has any suggestions please
contact me at
SG4EVR28B@aol.com.
E-mails to our administrators would be
greatly appreciated.
President: Robert L. Carothers –
Muskrat@uri.edu
Athletic Director: Thorr Bjorn –
Tbjorn@mail.uri.edu
Sr. Assoc. Director: Lauren Anderson:
Laurena@uri.edu
Vice President of Student Affairs: Tom
Dougan:
TDougan@uri.edu
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PLEASE
HELP US SAVE OUR PROGRAM!
URI Senior Gymnast,
Bridget Hild
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