Hofstra is forgetting the community
Erin Furman will graduate from Hofstra University later this month.
Hofstra University's decision to cut its football program is detrimental not only to the players but to the entire community.
As a four-year member and captain of the pep band, I have attended every home football game since my freshman year. I proudly played my clarinet in our Homecoming parade and cheered the team on, despite even their worst losses. For those of us in the pep band, Saturdays in the fall mean football.
But it's not the pep band I'm worried about. We have many other opportunities to play. Rather, it is the ripple effect this decision will cause.
The university has cited financial costs and poor attendance at games among the reasons for eliminating the team. But the board of trustees has overlooked all the other organizations and people affected.
Let's start with the players and coaches. They lose their sport; for most, football was the reason they chose Hofstra.
Athletic training majors will no longer receive hands-on training with a football team, which limits their experience. Journalism majors who hope to become sports reporters will have one less sport to hone their skills on.
Fraternities and sororities use float-building for the Homecoming parade as a bonding experience and recruitment tool. They also welcome back alumni at the event.
And since alumni account for a portion of the attendance at all games, a number of them will be disappointed.
Then there is Spirit Support - my department. Having no football team means less opportunity for the dance team, cheerleaders and pep band to support our school's athletes and demonstrate pride in our school.
Finally, the Hempstead community accounts for a significant portion of attendance at games. Of the average 4,260 people at home games this fall, roughly 500 were students. Naysayers use this statistic to point out a lack of student involvement, but what it really shows is the community's interest in local college football.
The quintessential image of a well-rounded, well-respected college includes football. Cutting a program that turned out more than one top NFL player not only does a disservice to students, clubs and Hofstra in general, it deprives Long Islanders of a community resource.
