Western President Bruce Shepard announced Jan. 8 the football program would be the first budget cut to help relieve the stress of the university’s $3.3 million deficit and curb the athletic department’s expenditures. ....<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />....

Shepard said he would much rather make big cuts than small cuts across the board.........

“You have to concentrate the pain,” Shepard said.........

Vice President of Student Affairs Eileen Coughlin said they looked at the whole board for the athletic department and the only choice was to cut the football team.........

-from SaveWWUfootball.com........

As you read through this please recognize that in all of this rambling, none of this focuses on anything that happened on the field or in a gym, where many lessons and friendships were gained. Rather, let me tell you about how Western football affects "life."........

I came to Western Football in 1995 with similar aspirations to everyone else coming in. Play ball, set a few records, be an All-American. And, like most of us that wore the Blue tops with the Silver lids, that did not happen. As a matter of fact, I hardly saw the field. So why would I care what happened to Western Football? ........

Here's why: ........

When I first arrived on campus, first pulled into the parking lot at Fairhaven, I met 2 guys, one of which would end up being my closest friend and eventually my best man in my wedding 9 years later. As a matter of fact 2 of the 3 groomsmen wore the Blue and Silver with me. Some of my closest friends played ball before and after me. As a matter of fact if it were not for football, I would not have come to little Bellingham Washington and never met my wife. Every week I meet someone knew that plays or played at WWU and we instantly have something important to both of us to discuss.  ........

Football made it all possible. I find it troubling that Shepherd and the administration feel that cutting football is no big deal and even worse MAKES SENSE! Why would it be a big deal to cut a program that PROFOUNDLY touches the lives of 100 young men every year? Apparently they believe that an esteemed institution of higher learning such as Western Washington University, is no place for a program that teaches discipline, hard work, accountability, teamwork, fair play and sportsmanship while at the same time adding diversity to the student body. ........

I find it funny that the reason that they are cutting away our family is because the program does not have the support of the student body and the administration. (If only there were some group or website to disprove this...) Ok, let us say that is true. Is it not the responsibility of the President to at least make an effort to drum up support for ALL school programs groups and factions? Shepherd could have shown up to a couple of games and encouraged others on his staff to join him. His staff could have asked their staff and so on. He would not have to stay, just make an appearance and leave, but support the program. ........

This is obviously a rash and shortsighted decision. You do not cut 100 years of tradition without letting people know that it is coming, unless you know that there is something wrong with that decision. By all accounts, the administration overlooked what I mentioned as positives of the program for those directly involved. There is little question of that, but here is the opportunity they missed out on, or what I would have done in their place:........

1) Come out in support of the team. Even if it is not genuine, fake it. How many of us have gone to a wedding, a play, a game, a recital etc not because we enjoyed it but to support those we care about?........

2) Contact local TV station KVOS and see if they are interested in televising Western Football locally. I am sure they would because I know for a fact that they are wanting to do a deal with a local Semi Pro football team in the summer. Why would they not want a former NAIA Div II National Championship Runner up and 2008 NCAA Div II Bowl Game winner in the fall?

3) Contact the communications department. There are plenty of students there who would love to be in TV news. Have them work to produce the weekly games. Everything from play-by-play and color to the weekly plays of the week, nightly player spotlight segments etc. Along with giving students real on the job training, this would give you advertising revenue from local business as well as helping local businesses advertise. Increase awareness of the program helping with recruiting. Plus when you can advertise the school itself like the Div I schools like UW do during their TV broadcasts.

4) Contact the Bellingham Herald and the school's Journalism department. Now you can have a section for Western Students to write columns for the local paper. Again real world experience.

5) Contact the Business Department and have a student group that handles advertising on campus (as well as the TV ads for KVOS). They can also help with fundraising and other aspects.

You do these 5 things and now you have involved the student body as well as faculty. Now they have a vested interest in the program succeeding and will in turn go to games (buying tickets and concessions) while getting family members and friends also out to see what they have helped create. These students also have a stronger resume when their time at Western is done.

I could go on, we know that. There are so many things that can be done around football. Things that help the school not just the guys in pads that sacrifice their time, their bodies, blood sweat an tears to proudly represent each and every Viking on campus and throughout the world.

In writing this and thinking of all of the possibilities that were left on or rather in this case "under the table," as well as reading the updates and testimonials on the website, I have to ask how "concentrated" the pain really was. ....

To get more of the disturbing details and to pledge your support to reinstate the program visit savewwufootball.comyou do not have to pledge money, although it would be greatly appreciated, but just stopping by, and the support would mean a lot. Thank you in advance. ....

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