SCTCCCA Writes Letter in Support of Clemson Track / XC

I write you this letter as the current president of the South Carolina Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association on request from the entire organization regarding the recent decision to discontinue the Men's Track and Cross-Country program at Clemson University.

As an association, we would like to pass on our regret and sadness that a university that many of us love, and to which we have given significant portions of our time and money, has decided to remove such a large piece of the history of that university. The effects of this decision may not be obvious to those making the decisions, but they will be significant. Dan Radakovich cites multiple factors that lead to the decision to discontinue the Men's Track and Cross-Country programs in his statement including an evaluation of local and national participation in the sport, the impact on diversity among student-athletes and staff, and financial concerns.

It is the belief of this association that the facts do not line up with this statement, and that this decision does not show good stewardship of Mr. Radakovich in his management of the the entire athletic program at a state-supported school.

In the letter from Mr. Radakovich, he cites "local and national participation in the sport" as one factor leading to his decision. In the state of South Carolina in the 2018-19 school year, 13,962 athletes participated in outdoor track and field, and another 6,091 in cross-country.

To imply that local and national participation is a concern moving forward is a gross misrepresentation of the data at hand. I don't think it's inconsequential that the track and field and cross-country communities in South Carolina represent 20,000 athletes and households that pay taxes that fund Clemson University. Some of these athletes are solid academic students who will be a benefit to the university academically as they always have been in the past. Another factor cited by Mr. Radakovich is "impact on diversity among student-athletes and staff". I don't think it's any secret that the track and field team has the second most diverse population next to the football team, so this seems to contradict the statement made by Mr. Radakovich.

I believe the spirit of the Title IX legislation was to increase equality, and this decision is being made in the name of Title IX is reducing equality as a whole in our community. For a university that has been making waves with statements of "Unity" and being "All In", this statement that cultural equality is being trumped by gender equality is a bad look when there are other ways to create balance for Title IX purposes. When it comes down to it, I personally love Clemson University. I have two degrees from this University, and I believe in its mission and vision educationally and holistically.

I am also an active IPTAY member and have loved watching the job that Dabo Swinney has done in this community. The thing I love about Dabo Swinney is that he does what is right. He doesn't play politics, he doesn't meddle and isn't manipulative. He is transparent and does what he believes is right all the time, standing by his athletes and his program no matter what.

I cannot say that I have the same perception of Mr. Radakovich and his management of the athletic programs at Clemson, and this is a major example of not considering the big picture as we move forward. I, and many members of the track and field community in our state, have loved Clemson for the fact that this university is associated with doing things the right way.

This letter is written in the representation of the 412 members of the South Carolina Track and Cross Country Coaches Association who commit a large portion of their life to our sport, and who commit their time to over 13,000 South Carolina taxpayers who largely believe this move is not in the best interest of our state. I hope the leadership at Clemson University will reconsider this decision and maintain this program that means so much to so many of us.