I am a product of Oregon Ultimate. That doesn’t mean that I just once put on a snazzy jersey and threw forehands for points. It means that a great deal of my character comes from what I learned representing my college on and off the field at tournaments around the country.
Being a part of Oregon Ultimate taught me lessons in self confidence, camaraderie and respect. They are lessons that spurred my growth from adolescent to man and they’re lessons that I still take from every day. The team meant so much to me that I extended my time at the University of Oregon to play another year and have a chance to compete for a national title – the ultimate goal for every college ultimate player.
I understand that the current members of the team have made some severe errors in judgment, but I do not believe the punishment the committee has condemned them with fits their offenses. By taking away the possibility of the team competing at nationals, the committee is taking away the dreams that all the players have been working to realize for months, if not years.
Please rethink the decision and reinstate Oregon Ultimate for college regionals and nationals. These young men deserve a chance to redeem themselves on their field of play.
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