To the Editor:
I want to thank those members of the Tufts community who came out in full force to support our women's soccer team in their quest for the national championship last weekend. Over a thousand students, staff, faculty and members of the administration gathered together for an experience that will not soon be forgotten. The chants, crowd roars and foot stomping added a level of excitement to the outstanding soccer being played on the field.
I also want to thank the team; Martha, Dre, Janet, Carmen, Yeaty, Tex and the rest for giving us so much to cheer for. Your performance was inspiring. Sol Gittleman, in an email to Martha after the game said it best: "The performance of the women's soccer team was spectacular, nothing less. They showed character, courage, tenacity, and the kind of reaching down deep I have encountered very rarely in my life."
Having been at Tufts for many years, I can say that this is not the first time that the Tufts community has rallied behind a team and I know it won't be the last. A successful sports team has the ability to draw us together as a community, as many of us witnessed last weekend. The disappointing result was almost inconsequential. The team had already captured our hearts. Standing shoulder to shoulder, pressed against the ropes, screaming in support of our team made us all proud to be Jumbos.
Bill Gehling
Director of Athletics
