I haven't seen such high-profile indecision since Fred Thompson was trying to make up his mind about running for President.

A great move on President Gearan's part to listen and respond to all the alums and fans of Bart Lax!

Congrats to the team - now BEAT CORNELL!!!!

Hobart's Chairman of the Board just issued a release confirming the decision to remain D1!

To the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Community:

As you may know, last Saturday the Hobart and William Smith Board of Trustees voted to reclassify our Hobart lacrosse program from Division I to Division III.

The decision was met with an outpouring of letters, e-mails and phone calls from alumni, alumnae, parents and friends. Some have been excited about this development while others have encouraged us to reconsider. We have been humbled by the number of alumni and alumnae who have written movingly about their own college experiences and the role that athletics and teamwork have played in molding their identities. What is consistent in all of this correspondence is a strong level of pride and enthusiasm for our Colleges and their heritage.

The community's confidence in the Colleges and in our lacrosse program to compete at the highest level has emboldened us and we are reminded anew of the spirit and tradition that inspires us all.

I write at this time to inform you of the Board's action today. After listening to the many voices and perspectives on this issue, the Board has determined that Hobart lacrosse should remain in Division I. As always, we will continue to pay close attention to the ongoing development of all of our athletic programs and will continue to uphold advanced standards of excellence in academic programs that extend into the co-curricular and athletic lives of our students.

As an alumnus and chair of the Board, I am proud that so many of my fellow alumni, alumnae and parents took the time and effort to express their views. I hope you will join me tomorrow night at 7 p.m. on Boswell Field. We have secured portable lighting for the first night game on the 'Boz' as Hobart faces Cornell in one of the oldest rivalries in collegiate lacrosse.

All the best,

David H. Deming '75
Chair, Board of Trustees
Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Thank you guys for the official word and for the entire statement from the chair of the Board of Trustees. And congrats on helping to keep Hobart in Division I.

Is this good news, though? You really have to wonder how committed Hobart is to a winning program now.

Mike--Some of the school's commitment is hindered by the NCAA ruling that it can't give scholarships as the only Division I team among otherwise Division III programs.

It would be different if Hobart could give D1 scholarships...or if, as a D3 program, it could continue to play Cuse and Cornell.

The Board was trying to look ahead. If the Big East happens in lacrosse, that would destroy the ECAC and force Hobart to try and find something else.

Essentially, forces outside Hobart's control forced them to (briefly) drop to D3. I think some of it was the faculty, too, that was uneasy at having a D1 program on campus while several of the D3 teams have done very well recently.

I was talking to a former Hobart player last night. He said when he and his teammates get together, they talk about the games against Cornell and Syracuse more than the Division III title games.

I've been to Hobart-Syracuse games and have listened to Hobart-Cornell games on the radio, and they are awesome. Those rivalries alone are enough to make me happy that Hobart is staying in D1.

Though on one level, Mike, your point about the administration is well taken.

The Hobart administration needs to show some backbone and support lacrosse as the school's No. 1 sport, regardless of the successes of the other sports on campus (sailing, football, basketball, hockey, etc.). Unless or until that happens, Hobart lax will probaby always be fighting uphill on campus and in the NCAA...

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