Friday, Feb. 25, 2005
www.theloquitur.com
PERSPECTIVES | 11
Golf committee Member quits alumni member resigns board because of Dzik because of Dzik Dear Dr. Iadarola,
Dear Dr. Iadarola: Please accept this correspondence as my formal resignation from the Golf Committee effective immediately. As you know, I previously agreed to be a part of your fundraiser and was in a position to meet all financial obligations concerning same. further, I was looking forward to working with Kevin Scanlan this year and for many years in an effort to contribute all resources for the betterment of our institution. Be advised that I was shocked, disgusted and appalled to read the article in the Philadelphia Inquirer concerning Coach John Dzik. After confirming the situation personally, I have decided to take this action forthwith. In an effort to have you reconsider your position I think it is imperative that I briefly memorialize my concerns. Please be advised that I attended Cabrini College from 1984 through 1988. Please be advised that as a senior in high school I was recruited by several colleges, some of which were larger schools and at the time were more well respected basketball programs. However, after meeting with Coach Dzik, I decided to attend Cabrini. Coach Dzik at the time was also the Dean of Admissions and processed my admission and assembled an excellent financial package. During my four years at Cabrini, Coach Dzik and his staff treated me like a family member. they were integrally involved in my academic, personal and social life. As you may know by looking at the banners in the basketball
gym, during my four years we attended three NAIA National Championships in Kansas City. In my Senior year, when our program entered Division III affiliation, we were able to secure an at large bid and attended the NCAA tournament. Please note at that time our conference did not have an automatic berth in the tournament for our conference championship. All of the banners which adorn our gym today are a testament to Coach Dzik and what he has accomplished for the institution. Obviously, since entering Division III Coach Dzik has continued his winning ways enabling Cabrini to be one of the most winning programs in all of our country. I am sure you will be receiving multiple letters and inquiries as to why the most successful coach in the country will not be having his contract renewed. Unfortunately at this time it makes no sense to me and I submit this will be an absolute public relations nightmare. Also, you should expect anyone associated with Coach Dzik to take the same position. Be advised that I respectfully request that you immediately reconsider your position and find a mutually agreeable solution to this dilemma with Coach Dzik. In the event that this matter is resolved amicably, be advised I will reconsider my position and immediately make all efforts to assist the golf committee and my college. As always, should you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office. Very truly yours, JOHN A. AIVAZOGLOU Class of 1988
Since I have attended and graduated Cabrini College (Class of 1994) I have seen and witnessed many changes at the school, both good and bad. However, for the most part, they have been good – UNTIL NOW. When I was elected to the Alumni Board of Directors last year I was looking forward to being able to give back and make a difference at Cabrini. Now, after what you have done regarding John Dzik, I will be sure family, friends, colleagues and those who inquire are aware of what Cabrini College has become. I find it to be a total disgrace that you would treat someone who has been such an important
piece in the development of so many individuals, both athletes and non-athletes alike. For years, John Dzik has been responsible for the growth & development of Cabrini College, athletics and the student population. It is because of him and only him that I attended Cabrini College. I look back on it as a great time of my life and I am thankful for the coaching, leadership and friendship that I have received from him. I am proud to say that he is not only one of my mentors, but more importantly a friend. I think that you and the entire Development Office TREMENDOUSLY underestimated the Alumni and what your decision has done to the overall public perception of Cabrini College.
As a previous member of the Board (resigned immediately after learning about this issue) I was asked on numerous occasions to assist in the schools development. I have decided that I will no longer give money or my time of day to anyone at the school that had a part in this decision…for that matter the school period . Knowing what has happened, I am almost ashamed to tell me people that I am a Cabrini College graduate. Sincerely, David L. Kerchner Class of 1994 Member, Alumni Board of Directors (Resigned)
Change in athletic’s direction dissapoints Cabrini graduate Dr. Iadarola: I am deeply saddened by the recent turn of events at Cabrini College, not necessarily because YOU decided to go in a different direction with the men's basketball program, but because of the timing and the manner in which it was handled. I have taken the opportunity to privately tell Coach Dzik what he has meant to me as a recruit, a student, a co-worker, and ultimately a friend. Since your actions show you are not concerned about John as a person, I am not concerned with sharing my feelings with you. What I would like to share with you is the financial conse-
quences this fiasco will have on YOUR institution. The yearly monetary contributions that I have been providing Cabrini College will end immediately. My participation in alumni events as well as the support of the current athletic teams will cease immediately. However, the worst part of your decision, is Lindsey (class of 2018) and Ryan (class of 2020) will not have the Cabrini College education and experience that I enjoyed. Having worked in the Cabrini admissions department under your leadership, I know how important family and friends are to the recruiting process, I am sorry to say Cabrini will no longer be
receiving my support. Maybe this is not a big deal to you, as I am only one alum, but judging from conversations I have had and the letters that I have read, I am not the only one with these feelings. As of right now, there are approximately a couple of weeks left in Coach Dzik's career at Cabrini due to your decision. (which no so coincidentally corresponds to the length of my further affiliation with the college) You are the one that started this and the only one that can fix it. It's up to you! Larry Kilcullen Class of 1990
Dzik brought diversity to Cabrini Dear Dr. Iadarola, I am writing this letter with total disbelief, shock, hurt and pain. When I heard that the college made the decision not to bring back Coach John Dzik for another year to be the head basketball coach I was just devastated. All I could say was that the college has made a great mistake. I graduated from Cabrini College in 1996 with an accounting degree. During my time there I was a student athlete, leader and advocate for the college. I will be totally honest with you in saying that I would have never gone this small Catholic college if it had not been for Coach Dzik. It was Coach that came to my house like a father and exposed me to
life at Cabrini. Being an AfricanAmerican male at that college it was tough. But it was because of special people like Coach Dzik that through his example and his words that kept me at that school. Playing college basketball was just the vehicle that allowed me to get an education. It was because of John Dzik inspiration, his passion, his love, his commitment to his players and the students that made Cabrini special. I will be quite direct in saying that if it had not been for the likes of Coach Dzik you would not have the minority percentages that you have today. There have been a lot of minorities that have come to Cabrini College and have successfully graduated. And if you ask them to name a person that helped them get to this point, 99% of
them would say Coach Dzik. I realize how important those type of statistics are to organizations such as Middle States. As a student at Cabrini and even now as an alumnus of the College I have been nothing but a champion. I have served several years on the alumni board, and represented the college in several publications. But today I am just too disgusted the way that you have treated Coach Dzik for all his commitment and service. You have done a good job for the most part while you have been here as President but today you have really done a disservice. I know that you and Coach Dzik did not see eye to eye on some things but you should respect what he has done for the college. I am no longer proud to be a Cabrini Alumni. Effective
immediately please remove me from all distributions and solicitations. I will no longer be the Champion or even the ‘Poster Boy’ for your school. I will ask that you please do not include my picture in anymore advertisements for the college. I will also no longer contribute financially to this institution and will encourage every alumnus to do the same. I hope and pray that you will not do the same thing to another great person at Cabrini in Martha Dale. I have watched you strategically move her out of Alumni Affairs Office and into this new role as you did the same for Coach Dzik. I know that the college is going to be celebrating soon and that you have Martha leading it up. But I pray that when it’s all over that you will
not do Martha the way you have done Coach Dzik. I think about your Office of Institutional Advancement and all the individuals that have left over the recent years. To me that really says something about you as an administrator. (Robin, be careful) You and the Board of Trustees really need to reconsider what you are doing. The impact of this although you may think is small now but in the long run it will be big. I don’t know if this letter will change your mind but I had to share my thoughts on this matter. God bless and take care. Sincerely, Rich Grace Class of 1996, Former Member
Alumni
Board