Winners and losers
Who comes out on top by reducing the sports program at UNM?
Decision was short-sighted
WHAT AN egregiously surface-level decision. In an attempt to communicate fiscal responsibility, promote frugality and raise up resource stewardship across the university, University of New Mexico’s administration has cut a venture that speaks — in principle and practice — to all of the above. Plainly contradictory and irresponsible.
Soccer, in the global market — economic and social — is trending upward. The United States, and the western region specifically, is its next frontier. President (Garnett) Stokes and the Board of Regents have effectively voted our flagship university, and consequently the state of New Mexico, out of the sporting world’s most progressive conversation.
Contrary to Regent (Tom) Clifford’s dismissal of charges of short-sightedness, this decision has all the trappings of a base reflex to off-load commitment rather than change habits. Cuts are the hallmark of “short-sighted.”
In UNM men’s soccer, we have a proven leader, demonstrably impactful and continually engaged alumni, not to mention class after class of dynamic and highly visible Lobo student athletes.
As a former member of the UNM Athletics Department and son of Lobo soccer, I have seen and continue to believe in the potential for strong and even oversight, rewarding thrift within programs, and athlete-focused experience building.
We must reconsider and reverse this ruling. We must change our course. If not for the sake of these men and their passion/ chosen discipline, for the young New Mexicans who depend on their example. KYLE MIKEL KAZEMI Belen native currently in Minn.
UNM invites Title IX lawsuit
SO UNM IS cutting all the sports that are actually, well, winning. I noticed, too, that (two are) women’s teams. All I can say is I hope we see a Title IX lawsuit, or some kind of lawsuit. If UNM wants to do something good, cut all sports. ALFRED PUGLISI Rio Rancho
UNM leaders lacking vision
AFTER THE World Cup they cut men’s soccer — another example of (an) administration out of touch with the community. Perhaps they never raised children in New Mexico and never went to a kids soccer game on a weekend. Why do our kids leave New Mexico? Lack of vision of the leadership, 100 percent. A sad reminder of the poor decision-making of the new leadership at UNM. Perhaps the UNM leadership still thinks soccer is still not an American sport. Our state will never progress until we call out these leaders.
The new UNM leadership is wrong. This outcome simply demonstrates the lack of vision and understanding they have (of) the people the(y) serve. JOSE CORNEJO Albuquerque
Cut failed football program
THE OBVIOUS first step in fixing the UNM athletics fiscal mess is to drop football. The UNM athletic hierarchy is not very interested in doing football well, so it shouldn’t (at great expense) do it at all. After the Locksley fiasco, UNM hired the best football coach it will ever be able to attract. Bob Davie rebuilt the football program into a mediocrity, essentially from scratch. Still, people don’t go to the games. This spring, as a reward, Davie is suspended without pay during spring practice. At most, his offenses amount to allegations of 1) making a bad joke, and 2) making an imprudent statement — both denied. Oh, I almost forgot, 3) physically abusing his players, which is what football coaches always have and always will do.
Several football players fail — or, maybe, refuse — to show respect during the playing of the national anthem at halftime of the Air Force game. They are essentially lauded by Coach Davie and the UNM administration.
Yet soccer, skiing and volleyball get the chop. I, for one, rue every penny of my tax money that supports this mess. MURRAY GILES UNM, BA 1970, JD 1981 Albuquerque
UNM soccer good for city
I AM questioning the budget cut concerning the UNM men’s soccer team!
UNM men’s soccer has a very large impact in our community and local school soccer programs throughout Albuquerque and New Mexico.
New Mexico soccer has one of the largest and best-rated youth soccer programs in the country.
We cannot take away such a positive and powerful example (for) all of our kids throughout the state of New Mexico.
By the way, UNM soccer has a much better national win record than UNM football has ever had!
Hopefully, (the UNM regents and President Garnett Stokes) will look into this information ... and reconsider cutting the men’s soccer program.
Maybe (they) should set an example for the entire county to see by cutting the monster-size football budget of a repeatedly disciplined (and) troubled UNM football program?
Do this instead of affecting dozens of other sport and athletes in our state
Note, UNM coaches’ contracts need to be revised and have a clause in place not to pay out/off any portion of a contract if said coach has any misconduct, bad performance, or has misrepresented themselves for not disclosing any and all disciplinary actions or any legal issues from any other university.
There must be consequences — financial hits — for misrepresented and poor performing coaching. You don’t do the job, you shouldn’t be paid! JAMES W. DANIEL Rio Rancho