Show Letters to the Editor Sports Need to Be Expanded to Include All The Athletics Department Department Department Depart Depart- ment mission and philosophy is to provide programs that meet the needs interests and changing lifestyles lifestyles lifestyles life life- styles of our diverse student and community population by offering a variety of sports Presently the Athletic Department runs outstanding mens men's and women's basketball program Both placed in the top two of our region last year Our mens men's and women's soccer clubs have both placed in the top two in the region as aswell aswell aswell well as in the Intercollegiate Soccer League Club sports are self initiated and funded operating on shoestring budgets including minimal funding from the Student Association and In- In with constant financial struggles with hopes to continue the club program In comparison the in intercollegiate intercollegiate intercollegiate in- in sports such as our basketball basketball basketball bas bas- teams are recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association Association Association As As- and funded by bythe bythe bythe the institution Sports add a sense of pride and belonging open opportunities and reveal a side of college life that is strongly needed for the students as aswell aswell aswell well as the community Sports in increase increase increase in- in crease student retention by helping students enjoy their college experience experience experience ex ex- which improves their education Adding sports will not necessarily mean the increase However increase of one or two dollars could be added in the fu fu- fu ture As student leaders we feel its it's time to expand sports and we feel strongly that the is behind behind behind be be- hind us On January 11 and 12 we will be beholding beholding beholding holding a referendum to help the board of trustees and administration determine what the students want Please come out and vote Show your support for the athletic sion sIOn Hiram Molloy President |