It's not just the Libraries at VSU...

Submitted by tossawayintheend t3_10y0fhm in vermont

My GF played soccer at Johnson in the 90's and she just received this email from the new Women's Head Coach there. They're really fucking the Coach and the players over by saying, "Nope, you're NCAA level anymore."

From: Peterson, Norm <john.peterson@northernvermont.edu>

Date: Thu, Feb 9, 2023, 10:05 AM

Subject: Request for Help from Johnson Women's Soccer

To: Peterson, Norm <john.peterson@northernvermont.edu>

Hello!

This is Norm, I am the Head Women’s Soccer coach at Northern Vermont -Johnson. Soon to be Vermont State University-Johnson

I just finished my second year here, and am proud to say that we returned to the Conference playoffs for the first time since 2018. We had 15 returning players and a strong recruiting class lined up – bright days are ahead, except….

You may have seen this in the news

https://vtdigger.org/2023/02/08/vermont-state-university-community-surprised-dismayed-by-library-and-athletics-changes/

The President and senior staff (not located on the Johnson Campus) made the decision to remove Johnson from the NCAA and move us to the USs Small College Athletic Association (USCAA). Lyndon and Castleton would remain in the NCAA. The impact on our team will be severe. We will have players transferring and a much harder time recruiting. With campus numbers already small, I’m nervous about how this decision will ultimately impact the future of the University.

-Students here will pay the same tuition to compete at a lower level than students on other campuses

-The USCAA model was not attractive enough to keep sports open at VTC

-Coaches were hired at a NCAA institution, what does that mean for coach retention?

-There is no cost savings for this

I’m asking two things:

If you agree, can you reach out to the President and ask him to reconsider or at least postpone implementation until more discussions can be had?

President Parwinder Grewal

parwinder.grewal@vermontstate.edu

802.728.1252 (Reception for President)

Send me a note to text if you want to connect – the below number is my personal cell.

J “Norm” Peterson

Academic Advisor

Head Women’s Soccer Coach

Northern Vermont University-Johnson

802-777-9914

John.peterson@northernvermont.edu

Edit: To add respect for the student athletes also affected by this

9

Comments

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AvianQuill t1_j7vv6e3 wrote

Thanks for posting this. I have a family member currently on this soccer team and everyone is devastated by the news.

4

lantonas t1_j7wvsuu wrote

Could be worse, could be Vermont Tech being dropped to club sports.

2

faceswithfires t1_j7ywtkf wrote

Why is this an issue? You still get to play the sport and it's not like there's prize money or anybody's getting a soccer scholarship to Johnson State

1

Fantastic_Painter_15 t1_j7znob2 wrote

Low level of competition, lack of competitiveness, inability to recruit as well, inability to hire more qualified coaches. That’s all massively detrimental to the collegiate athlete experience. This isn’t a participation league, it’s collegiate athletics. How is this not an issue?

1