Letter to the Editor, Jack & Liz Whipple: Bonas Athletic Department an awful reflection on a proud institution

Written and submitted by Jack Whipple and Liz Whipple, Jack is an Alum of the St. Bonaventure University, a season ticket holder and a donor.

I recently returned from a vacation and on my first day back to work a wait person in a local restaurant approached me to ask if I had heard about the side show at St. Bonaventure and what I knew about it. All I could say was it was a sad time at a nearly 200-year young institution. St. Bonas is source of pride for loyal alum and local supporters. The university is responsible for providing a valued education to so many and instilling values that should last a lifetime.

Some are realizing the impact of the public infighting that’s occurred in the athletic department and how it is an awful reflection on a proud institution.  Today I realized the feeling I have is like how I felt almost 20 years ago during the 2003 Transfer Scandal. 

How did infrastructure of our university – general manager, athletic director, administrators, officers and the Board of Trustees lose their way?  AGAIN.  Where is the leadership we so desperately need?  Win at all costs?  Our integrity and our support being trampled by a few who think they know the way and they know the ONE. 

If anyone thinks this has been handled in a manner that reflects strongly on St Bona, they are likely not a former student.  Hard for me to believe the ONE is a former student and graduate. 

I am reading the choice has been made. Mark Schmidt is out and the ONE has been anointed.  Breaking news.  Here we go.  AGAIN.  We are back where we started – no program, no proven experience in building a program and the leaders – crickets.  Let the revisionist historians get busy.  The ONE is going to need a lot of your help.

Liz and I wish our soon-to-be former coach and his family all the best.  There are no better representatives of St. Bonaventure University and our community than Mark, Anita and their family. I just wish the current administration at St. Bonas had the values you lived every day for the last 19 years.

Best of luck.

Jack and Liz Whipple

The views in this article do not, necessarily, reflect the views of Olean Star Reporters.

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