Field hockey was one of the 11 varsity programs that Stanford in July decided to eliminateStanford Univ.
Some of the "biggest names in Stanford sports history and many members of Stanford’s Hall of Fame" are part of a group of 60 athletes who signed a letter as a "unified plea from all 36 varsity sports urging Stanford to reconsider and reverse" its decision in July to drop 11 varsity sports, according to Ann Killion of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The letter, published on the Stanford Magazine website, was signed by "not only alumni of the teams set for elimination but the teams that are considered 'safe,'" including Andrew Luck, Mike Mussina, Julie Foudy, Kelly O’Hara, Michelle Wie, Jessica Mendoza and Janet Evans. The signees of the letter noted that Stanford has "long prided itself on its athletic diversity," and has won the Directors' Cup for a "record 25 consecutive years." Though the letter does not address Stanford AD Bernard Muir, President Marc Tessier-Lavigne or Provost Persis Drell "directly by name, those decision-makers were the target." The "lack of outreach" on the part of the university, not only to its athletic alumni but to its broader base of supporters, "has infuriated many." The summer announcement was given with "virtually no warning and no previous attempt to privately raise funds to save the programs." But programs for the 11 targeted sports "have proceeded with private fundraising efforts in hopes they can still be saved" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/20).
