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A Message From UConn President Susan Herbst
A letter to Husky fans and supporters on conference realignment
Dear UConn Friends and Colleagues:
It is difficult to write to you about athletics or any other conventional university items in light of the Newtown tragedy. We will never understand it; hopefully there will be some healing in the future, although that seems very far off right now. I ask that you consider giving one of the greatest gifts of all to the survivors of Sandy Hook Elementary: the opportunity to attend a top research university like ours. Please make a gift to a young child, so that he or she might have the honor of being a Husky some day.
As you know, conference realignment continues at a rapid pace and UConn has new challenges we must face.[This caught us by surprise and we continue to react] I do not know when or how things will settle; no one does. [This caught us by surprise and we have no plan or vision.] There is more change to come that will reshape the landscape yet again. [We have no idea what is happening because we are on the outside of ongoing discussions in other conferences]. I assure you that the BIG EAST presidents are both unified and optimistic, working to strengthen the conference in imaginative ways that will see us through to a bright future for our students, coaches, and fans. [We will continue to hang in with the pack as security from predators because it easy to rely on others and we have no strategy. “Imaginative ways” translation…we are coming up with gimmicks]. Commissioner Mike Aresco is an outstanding leader at an extraordinarily complex time, and our university partners represent powerful, high-quality institutions that we are proud to join with in this conference. [Translation – UConn’s destiny lies in the hands of Aresco because we don’t know what to do and he seems to have some idea].
I realize that this is aggravating to hear, but as in all things, we can only affect what is in our control. [Translation – Nothing is in our control]. As a result, we strive for excellence at UConn daily across all departments, something very much in our control. We stand tall at UConn and we need not beg, plead, nor despair. [Translation - We will focus on academics. Let’s not focus on sports, because we have no plan and we really are a research university.] That is not who we are, and my reading of our university history -- from 1881 to today -- conveys the pride of every generation, in good times and bad. [Things are bad, and besides for about 100 years UConn was a Podunk Ag University, so what’s the difference in the perspective of time. Hey, have you tried the Dairy Barn?]
There are profound concerns about the future of collegiate athletics of course. I speak often to presidents across the nation, and we are hardly alone in our worries. Even many seemingly "secure" universities are fearful of the changes to come, not only in the realm of realignment, and hope for a long-term stability that seems elusive right now. [Translation – We blew it, but others are worried they might blow it so take solace that others might end up like us too, so it’s not our fault.]
We here at UConn have incredibly powerful and compelling teams, decades of accomplishment, joyful traditions at games, and great plans in the works, such as our men's ice hockey team entering Hockey East in 2014, the top conference in the nation, and our new building projects, like the UConn Basketball Development Center. [Wait, I need to say we are relevant in sports, so Ill add that in. The Basketball Development Center proves we are moving forward and throw hockey in too. Maybe I position us like Northeastern University…good hockey with an ex-football program.]
I know that it is difficult to read much of the internet content right now about athletics, which seems to be dominated by negativity. Many bloggers, journalists, and even fans from elsewhere would like to see UConn hurt, and hence write with a cynical tone [The pressure is getting to me and I acknowledge people want my head. But let’s make them enemies of UConn, even if they are actual UConn fans.]. This flip discourse is again, not in our control. [Call it “flip” to be dismissive and not thoughtful. You have no idea how hard it is for me and my team. ]The truth is that this is a top national research university with a terrific athletics program that will flourish, no matter what conference we are in and no matter what the media chatter looks like. [Translation – Ill choose to be hopeful and hope things work out].
I wish you could see my mail and answer my phone, to get a true sense of how dedicated and upbeat our best fans are. [Translation - I have a circle of supporters too.They understand how hard this job this is for me, and they want to see me be successful beacause I'm a woman. They get it and the others don’t.] Far from being depressed or dragged down by negativity, they are more committed than ever before, and know that it is their very commitment that will determine our future [I have no role in this. It’s really everybody else that has to be successful, because I have no plan other than wishful thinking.]They know that we will be more than fine, even if there are months and maybe even years of conference uncertainty ahead. [Translation – we have no current plan or direction, so Ill start slipping in the concept of years.] We still get to play and we still get to win. [Translation – filler sentence with no meaning or substance, completely avoiding the issue of quality national competition.] Our true fans and supporters so love our coaches and students, and enjoy their tremendous efforts on the field and court. [Translation- You are not a true fan if you criticize our performance or incompetence.] That is what I appreciate, and what all university presidents hope for. [Translation – we are all circling the wagons and will all keep patting each other on the backs telling ourselves our wonderful an supportive we are of each other. We’ll stick together, because if we don’t we all will be responsible for our tremendous failure on our watch. As long as they support me, I’ll support them.]
When it comes to athletics, I normally write to you - so often these volatile days! - about student-athletes and our need to focus on them. Again, there is much cynicism around this topic. I cannot speak for other institutions, but here at least, focusing on our students guides what we think and what we do. We care deeply about student academic success, and the pride that we feel about all of our sports is both immense and genuine. [Translation – Refocus to education as a red herring. Add flower fluff about pride and deep caring.]
So, Huskies: Let's all hang tough and please keep some perspective, as hard as it is in a time of great change. Win or lose, conference struggles or not, UConn is a research university. So if you are feeling low, just head to our university home page and glory in the amazing new faculty we are hiring at a rapid pace, our incredible student successes across disciplines, scientific awards and invention by our faculty, and all that matters most at your flagship university. [Translation – There is nothing going on positively in UConn sports. Did I tell you we are a research university, and that’s what’s important?]
I was hired because I'm an optimist, and I cannot help being just that. I never see the productive value in cynicism and negativity, when there is so much to be proud of. [Translation: I’m optimistic. Why? Because, I am. Do I have any vision or plan? No, but optimism over comes a plan] It's a tough world out there, but you can count on me to be the Number One Cheerleader for this superb place I call home. I hope to see you at many games this year - basketball, hockey, and spring sports are not too far off, despite the temperatures out there! Support our beloved university, our outstanding coaches and students, and all really will be well.
I realize that it is difficult to have a truly happy holiday if you are at all close to Newtown or are simply touched by it, as so many are, around the world But do please have a safe and restful break, and be thankful that we are so tightly bound to each other by this great university community [. [Translation – I am so PC I can’t say the word Christmas either in reference to the holiday period itself, or in relation to the word break. Whew, I navigated that one nicely. I'm such a PC superstar. Everything will be fine because thats what everybody says should happen. If I close my eyes and dream maybe something good will happen. I love warm and deep caring communities. Not Christian caring of course. The nonsecular, nonoffensive kind of caring. ]
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My response: Have a Merry Christmas living in la la land.
A letter to Husky fans and supporters on conference realignment
Dear UConn Friends and Colleagues:
It is difficult to write to you about athletics or any other conventional university items in light of the Newtown tragedy. We will never understand it; hopefully there will be some healing in the future, although that seems very far off right now. I ask that you consider giving one of the greatest gifts of all to the survivors of Sandy Hook Elementary: the opportunity to attend a top research university like ours. Please make a gift to a young child, so that he or she might have the honor of being a Husky some day.
As you know, conference realignment continues at a rapid pace and UConn has new challenges we must face.[This caught us by surprise and we continue to react] I do not know when or how things will settle; no one does. [This caught us by surprise and we have no plan or vision.] There is more change to come that will reshape the landscape yet again. [We have no idea what is happening because we are on the outside of ongoing discussions in other conferences]. I assure you that the BIG EAST presidents are both unified and optimistic, working to strengthen the conference in imaginative ways that will see us through to a bright future for our students, coaches, and fans. [We will continue to hang in with the pack as security from predators because it easy to rely on others and we have no strategy. “Imaginative ways” translation…we are coming up with gimmicks]. Commissioner Mike Aresco is an outstanding leader at an extraordinarily complex time, and our university partners represent powerful, high-quality institutions that we are proud to join with in this conference. [Translation – UConn’s destiny lies in the hands of Aresco because we don’t know what to do and he seems to have some idea].
I realize that this is aggravating to hear, but as in all things, we can only affect what is in our control. [Translation – Nothing is in our control]. As a result, we strive for excellence at UConn daily across all departments, something very much in our control. We stand tall at UConn and we need not beg, plead, nor despair. [Translation - We will focus on academics. Let’s not focus on sports, because we have no plan and we really are a research university.] That is not who we are, and my reading of our university history -- from 1881 to today -- conveys the pride of every generation, in good times and bad. [Things are bad, and besides for about 100 years UConn was a Podunk Ag University, so what’s the difference in the perspective of time. Hey, have you tried the Dairy Barn?]
There are profound concerns about the future of collegiate athletics of course. I speak often to presidents across the nation, and we are hardly alone in our worries. Even many seemingly "secure" universities are fearful of the changes to come, not only in the realm of realignment, and hope for a long-term stability that seems elusive right now. [Translation – We blew it, but others are worried they might blow it so take solace that others might end up like us too, so it’s not our fault.]
We here at UConn have incredibly powerful and compelling teams, decades of accomplishment, joyful traditions at games, and great plans in the works, such as our men's ice hockey team entering Hockey East in 2014, the top conference in the nation, and our new building projects, like the UConn Basketball Development Center. [Wait, I need to say we are relevant in sports, so Ill add that in. The Basketball Development Center proves we are moving forward and throw hockey in too. Maybe I position us like Northeastern University…good hockey with an ex-football program.]
I know that it is difficult to read much of the internet content right now about athletics, which seems to be dominated by negativity. Many bloggers, journalists, and even fans from elsewhere would like to see UConn hurt, and hence write with a cynical tone [The pressure is getting to me and I acknowledge people want my head. But let’s make them enemies of UConn, even if they are actual UConn fans.]. This flip discourse is again, not in our control. [Call it “flip” to be dismissive and not thoughtful. You have no idea how hard it is for me and my team. ]The truth is that this is a top national research university with a terrific athletics program that will flourish, no matter what conference we are in and no matter what the media chatter looks like. [Translation – Ill choose to be hopeful and hope things work out].
I wish you could see my mail and answer my phone, to get a true sense of how dedicated and upbeat our best fans are. [Translation - I have a circle of supporters too.They understand how hard this job this is for me, and they want to see me be successful beacause I'm a woman. They get it and the others don’t.] Far from being depressed or dragged down by negativity, they are more committed than ever before, and know that it is their very commitment that will determine our future [I have no role in this. It’s really everybody else that has to be successful, because I have no plan other than wishful thinking.]They know that we will be more than fine, even if there are months and maybe even years of conference uncertainty ahead. [Translation – we have no current plan or direction, so Ill start slipping in the concept of years.] We still get to play and we still get to win. [Translation – filler sentence with no meaning or substance, completely avoiding the issue of quality national competition.] Our true fans and supporters so love our coaches and students, and enjoy their tremendous efforts on the field and court. [Translation- You are not a true fan if you criticize our performance or incompetence.] That is what I appreciate, and what all university presidents hope for. [Translation – we are all circling the wagons and will all keep patting each other on the backs telling ourselves our wonderful an supportive we are of each other. We’ll stick together, because if we don’t we all will be responsible for our tremendous failure on our watch. As long as they support me, I’ll support them.]
When it comes to athletics, I normally write to you - so often these volatile days! - about student-athletes and our need to focus on them. Again, there is much cynicism around this topic. I cannot speak for other institutions, but here at least, focusing on our students guides what we think and what we do. We care deeply about student academic success, and the pride that we feel about all of our sports is both immense and genuine. [Translation – Refocus to education as a red herring. Add flower fluff about pride and deep caring.]
So, Huskies: Let's all hang tough and please keep some perspective, as hard as it is in a time of great change. Win or lose, conference struggles or not, UConn is a research university. So if you are feeling low, just head to our university home page and glory in the amazing new faculty we are hiring at a rapid pace, our incredible student successes across disciplines, scientific awards and invention by our faculty, and all that matters most at your flagship university. [Translation – There is nothing going on positively in UConn sports. Did I tell you we are a research university, and that’s what’s important?]
I was hired because I'm an optimist, and I cannot help being just that. I never see the productive value in cynicism and negativity, when there is so much to be proud of. [Translation: I’m optimistic. Why? Because, I am. Do I have any vision or plan? No, but optimism over comes a plan] It's a tough world out there, but you can count on me to be the Number One Cheerleader for this superb place I call home. I hope to see you at many games this year - basketball, hockey, and spring sports are not too far off, despite the temperatures out there! Support our beloved university, our outstanding coaches and students, and all really will be well.
I realize that it is difficult to have a truly happy holiday if you are at all close to Newtown or are simply touched by it, as so many are, around the world But do please have a safe and restful break, and be thankful that we are so tightly bound to each other by this great university community [. [Translation – I am so PC I can’t say the word Christmas either in reference to the holiday period itself, or in relation to the word break. Whew, I navigated that one nicely. I'm such a PC superstar. Everything will be fine because thats what everybody says should happen. If I close my eyes and dream maybe something good will happen. I love warm and deep caring communities. Not Christian caring of course. The nonsecular, nonoffensive kind of caring. ]
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My response: Have a Merry Christmas living in la la land.
