Dear Editor,
My name is Lisa Gallant, and I am a 2008 graduate of SCAD. I received both my Master of Architecture and my B.F.A at SCAD, in addition to being a four-year starter for Women Soccer. I was co-captain for two of those years, as well. I was also a part of the 2005-2006 team that brought Women Soccer to the National tournament for the very first time. I am sharing these particulars so you will know I was a dedicated artist-athlete and a proud SCAD alumnus. And because SCAD provided me the opportunity to be all these things!
I am currently employed in my field of architecture, but it has been a tough road since graduating from SCAD. The recession hit my industry very hard, and I had to fight for every opportunity. I got that fighting spirit from my time as a Student-Artist-Athlete. I knew I could tackle anything because SCAD taught me how to be a professional and SCAD soccer gave me the drive and motivation I would need to accomplish anything. The balancing act that all SCAD athletes must learn teaches us value skills that we take into the working world. None of us show up to play sports at SCAD with the delusions that we will go on to be professional athletes. We come to SCAD to follow our artistic passions and play the sports we love, because it is the only place where we CAN do both!! That is the caliber of athletes this school attracts. And that fact alone is proof of the incredible asset these students are to the school. You have people willing to put in the full-time effort it takes to represent SCAD both on the field and in the classroom simply for the love of what they do! Please consider the devastating effects cutting these programs will have on the school and the student body.
I am writing you in hopes that your publication will consider sharing the voices of the many SCAD athletes and athletic alumnus that are standing together in support of all the athletic programs, their associated coaches, trainers and staff at SCAD. We wish the school would reconsider disbanding the volleyball, baseball and softball programs, as well as consider bringing back basketball, crew and cheerleading. We want the school to be aware of how important these programs are for so many past, current and future SCAD students.
Respectfully,
Lisa Gallant
