815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs,
New York, 12866
SKIDMORE PHONE
518-580-5000
Skidmore Aims to Serve Both Students and the Community
August 18, 2005
I have followed the discussions of Skidmore's proposal to construct a
combined soccer-softball field on Denton Road with interest.
Unfortunately, the College's principal reason for pursuing the project
has sometimes gotten lost in the public rhetoric. Simply put, we're
doing it for our students.
Every parent whose son or daughter plays sports understands their
value, as well as the commitment and sacrifice they require. Because
we compete in NCAA Division III, Skidmore's students receive no
athletic scholarships or other privileges. They take the same
challenging courses as other students, participate in campus
activities, volunteer in the community, and frequently hold part-time
jobs. They play not for glory or career aspirations, but because they
love the game and value their relationships with teammates. So
ensuring that they can practice and play at a level commensurate with
our divisional peers and their own skills is very important both to
the College and to me personally. No parent would want less for his or
her child.
Accordingly we have undertaken a major enhancement of our athletics
program. We've engaged a new athletics director and are reaching out
to alumni and friends for increased support, upgrading uniforms and
gear, and enhancing facilities—a benefit not just to our athletes
and campus community but also to local school teams that use our
facilities.
The Denton Road property that we purchased in 1987 specifically for
athletics is critical to our plans. Teams often begin practice in the
afternoon when classes are over, which in most seasons means that
unlit practice fields are too dark. Currently some of our strongest
soccer opponents refuse to play on our existing turf, and our softball
facility does not meet NCAA requirements. The new facility will allow
these teams both to practice—though generally no later than
8 p.m.—and to compete on fields that meet NCAA standards for
dimensions and safety.
Certainly, we understand the concerns of our neighbors regarding
lighting and other issues. Believing creative thought matters, we have
found that mutually beneficial solutions are almost always attainable
when people seek them with good will. Trusting that the Greenfield
Planning Board members share that outlook, we are eager to partner
with them in resolving the issues raised. We are confident that the
Planning Board—representing the interests of all Greenfield
citizens—will render a fair judgment. Skidmore will honor the Board's
decision and will continue to work constructively with the Greenfield
community.
The College views our place in the Saratoga region not only as central
to our identity but also as a privilege. Skidmore has always striven
to be an outstanding neighbor and citizen. Along with our positive
economic impact (most of our annual budget directly enters the local
economy, not to mention the spending by our students and parents), we
contribute thousands of hours of volunteer community service by
students, faculty, and staff; memberships in civic and religious
groups; pro bono consulting; sponsorship of lectures and cultural
activities (consider the Tang Museum, the Summer Jazz Institute, the
Boys Choir of Harlem residency, our leadership in Saratoga Reads!);
and, not least, free athletic events.
I truly believe, and will work to ensure, that the best is yet to come
for our students and for our valued relationship with our
neighbors.
(This essay was published in the Saratogian on August 18, 2005.)
Creative Thought Matters.
Skidmore College · 815 North Broadway · Saratoga Springs, NY · 12866
