The Observer, October 5, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 6
Tennis alumni concerned for current players
To the Editor:
As alumni of Case Western Reserve University and its varsity tennis program, we are concerned about the health of the program given recent events involving Coach Nancy Rahn, Athletic Director Dave Diles, and the 24 members of the men's and women's varsity tennis program who elected not to participate in the program this fall. All of us participated in the program during Coach Rahn's tenure.
Dissatisfaction with Coach Rahn was evident during her second year as varsity tennis coach, when the women's team refused to participate in the season-ending NCAC tournament. The athletic department engineered a compromise under which then-Athletic Director David Hutter coached the women's team at the tournament. Throughout Coach Rahn's tenure, retention rates and satisfaction have been low, particularly in the women's program.
We are aware that Dr. Diles recently conducted a review of Coach Rahn's tenure as varsity tennis coach in light of the actions of the players. Dr. Diles indicated at the Sept. 11, 2007 USG meeting that he had spoken with former members of the tennis team and found "staunch defenders" of Coach Rahn who indicated "enthusiastic support" and a "high level of satisfaction." Dr. Diles did not ask any of us to participate in this investigation; his statements do not reflect our opinions. Further, we do not believe his statements reflect the opinions of the majority of former tennis players at CWRU.
Conflict between players and coaches is, of course, part of athletics. However, the walkout by the current players is not a trivial event – it's shocking for a collegiate athletic program. It is doubly shocking that this has happened before – and that twice, the confrontation has escalated to this level. As alumni of Coach Rahn's program, it is perhaps telling that we are not reflexively blaming today's players. We all participated in her program and have our own perspective on these events.
Varsity athletics at CWRU exist largely for the benefit of the undergraduate students. Our foremost concern is for the current players; these students should be participating in varsity athletics. Whatever the resolution, the current state of varsity tennis at CWRU is unacceptable. It is difficult to see how the program as currently constituted is contributing to the goals of the Department of Physical Education or to the well being of the university community.
Varsity tennis team alumni: Rebecca Ameduri (1999), Scott Ameduri (1996), Su Balasubramanian (2002), David Caldwell (1995), Vincent Chan (2006), Cory Darrow (2006), Anne Dennhardt (2006), Ravi Dipali (2003), Colin Failey (2000), Amit Garg (1999), Lauren Gray (2006), Cindy Hsieh (2006), Steven Hsu (2006), Maria Huang (2000), Monica Ionescu (2003), Alissa Kumley (2002), Jay Mitchell (1999), Emma Nochomovitz (2008), Rashmi Phanindra (2000), Eric Radke (2004), Matt Strickland (2000), Karthik Subramanian (1996), James Tong (2000), Mihir Torsekar (2003), Alexander Wellems (2005), Tiffany (Caporale) Winschel (2002), Christine Yun (2007)
