Save Cal Men's Lacrosse!

I was a Cal student from 2014-2018 and a member of the first recruited class of the Cal Beach Volleyball Team.

What I remember most about the Cal Men's Lax team during my four years at Cal was their love of their sport, their team, and their school.

As a D1 athlete I had access to the new facilities in the high performance center - state of the art equiptment incuding new locker rooms, lifting racks and ice baths.

My friends on the Cal Lax team made me realize how lucky I was to have access to these resources.

They did not have their own locker rooms, lifting racks or ice baths but they didn't let it stop them from completing their training in service of their program and school.

They hauled bags of ice up four flights of stairs to create their own makeshift ice baths in their apartments, they weight lifted at odd hours in the student gyms, they ran the stadium stairs on their own time to stay in shape when practice was cancelled because of shared field space.

All to say - it was evident how proud they were to represent their school and be a part of the Cal community.

I am disheartened to hear of the poor treatment of this team, Cal should be investing MORE in the students who want to work hard and be a part of something bigger than themselves in service of their school.

I am a Cal Men’s Lacrosse alumni and it is incredibly disheartening to hear of the repetitive abuse of the program. The coaches, players, parents, and alumni all share so many valuable relationships and bonds from being part of the Cal Men’s Lacrosse community, and it is extremely disrespectful for the new generation of Berkeley students to start their student-athlete careers with so many barriers placed on them by their own institution. In addition, students who have been members of the program for years are ending their careers with less practices and home games in Memorial, which directly takes away from the amazing experience of spending time with Cal Men’s Lacrosse teammates and coaches. By avoiding to accommodate our program’s desperate pleas for aid, you are directly creating a negative experience for the entire Cal Men’s Lacrosse community, when we have had a flourishing and successful community in place for years. Also, I was honored to have had the privilege to play in Memorial Stadium as a national landmark, and it is painful to hear that the student athletes are barred from playing in the stadium. Memorial Stadium is a turf sports field and lacrosse plays on turf fields, so there is no reason that a specific sport should be banned from playing in Memorial. The Women’s lacrosse team is granted access to the field, and it is discriminatory to the Men’s team that they cannot play on the field. This greatly takes away from the experience of playing games at home in Memorial, a place that is sacred to the players who have the privilege to play in it’s walls.

It affects the welfare and happiness of my life.

I am not a UC Berkeley alumni but please allow myself to explain why I am signing with this petition.

In 2020, I had the opportunity to play against the Bears in the Memorial Stadium. Your bears were ranked #2 and my Chapman was #3 in the nation, and since you had beaten us in the previous year at our campus, my team was eager to return the favor. The energy was electric and the Berkeley fans showed up in waves. We lost that day (still go Panthers), and with the benefit of hindsight I can appropriately say that was the most intense lacrosse game I have ever played in. The settings, the fans, and the respectful bitterness between our two teams created an environment that was picturesque.

Hardly two weeks later, both teams’ seasons were cancelled due to the lockdown to prevent the spread of covid-19. I can’t speak on the behalf of the UC Berkeley lacrosse team, but I was devastated.

As an athlete, you only have so much time to be a part of the game that you love. And to play said game in college, at a level that can rarely be replicated, is a privilege that college athletes truly appreciate.

The way UC Berkeley revoked the field access for its lacrosse team reminds me of the devastating feeling I felt when my season was cancelled.

To withhold such opportunities from a historic program who proudly represents their school on and off the field is wrong. If I was a player for your university, I would feel betrayed and confused as to why the school I choose to represent does not have my program’s best interests in mind, let alone any interests at all. It is hard enough to succeed as an independent club, but when the university is working against the club, it will only create friction and dissent and leave all parties unsatisfied.

Please do not deprive these students, and this team, of the opportunities that they have worked so hard to make possible.

Cal Men’s Lacrosse is the main reason I attended the Engineering School at UC Berkeley. The ability to play high level competitive lacrosse while pursuing my degree was an incredible opportunity and the corner stone of my college experience. The program has rich history and is well respected within the club lacrosse community, making the national championship tournament all 4 years of my tenure. Although club sports are typically viewed as a more casual pursuit, competing in club lacrosse at the level Cal historically has requires a great deal of dedication and support. I do not think any teams limited to 2 practices a week can or have made the national championship tournament. I have been incredibly disappointed to hear how the university has been treating the program recently. It makes me embarrassed to be a Cal Alumni. I sincerely hope the university takes this plea to heart and turns things around!

I grew up in Berkeley and played lacrosse at Cal. Representing Berkeley on the field was the foundation of my college experience. MCLA lacrosse is not the same as other rec team. It’s more similar to rugby than other rec teams. Lacrosse needs to be respected and funded properly.

Playing for and being a part of the Cal Lacrosse team was a foundational part of my student experience at Berkeley. The community has given back so much to me and many others over the years. As a student run organization that relies on a cooperative and collaborative model with the Rec Sports office it’s a shame to see how far out of alignment the relationship has fallen.

Cal Men's Lacrosse program provides student athletes the ability to play high-level, collegiate lacrosse at a prestigious academic institution and has been for the last 60 years.

The program has enjoyed a synergistic relationship with the school since inception and only recently has been unable to function and is at risk of completely collapsing.

UCB leadership needs to step in and resolve the root cause of this dysfunction.

I had the privilege and honor to coach Cal Men's lacrosse Club Team last season. I was delayed onboarding and payment for a year. The effects of the incompetence has gone past my time at Berkeley. My background checks when trying to find new employment have not matched my resume as I was not considered an employee for the entire year at Cal due the year delay in on-boarding and payment. Having to explain this to another institution was a tough process that could have been easily avoided. The incompetence from a Club Department of such a prestigious school was a complete disappointment to me. The young men and Coach Webster are the highest caliber people that I have ever met and have helped create an amazing program. The fact that the RCS at Berkeley would strip these student-athletes of basic necessities needed to build a successful program was absolutely ridiculous. How is Coach Webster suppose to hire new coaches or retain coaches when the pay which should be guaranteed is delayed for a year. How was I suppose to pay my rent each month with no money coming in? Having parents have to step in to pay for league fees and Travel expense is absurd. Coach Webster continues to break through adversity, building a strong team year and year out even with these circumstances that are in front of him. RCS if you don't realize yet, it is hard to build a program when you are recruiting against other schools that have the backing of the RCS department. These other schools have a field for 5 days a week no problem, travel expenses figured out early, league fees paid, games not cancelled on short notice, coaches staying being able to build chemistry. Don't forget this is a program funded by the players and alumni, since you are stripping them of what they are paying for, should they get some money back? I don't know but usually when you don't get what you pay for you get some sort of refund. I have experiences this first hand and you are treating these student athletes unfairly and something needs to change fast. Coach Webster and Coach Deanyo thank you for everything you do for these Student-Athletes. I have played and coached at both Division 1 and 3 level. The Cal Mens lacrosse program is top of the line due to the amazing coaches, players, alumni, and family

(Processed)

The Cal Men’s Lacrosse Team has and will continue to be an integral component to a successful education and life experience for many Cal students. Access to this Club Sports program was a deciding factor for my son attending Cal. Personal relationships and academic mentoring from fellow players and coaches over four years, including Haas School of Business anchored his graduating from Cal.
Simply, as a continuing financial contributor and fan, I can’t imagine why supporting this established healthy program with joy, respect, and basic assistance is not the norm for Cal.

My brother is player

Cal Lacrosse has an important history with growing the game here in the Bay Area. I remember competing against them while in college, and continue to support them at games throughout their season. It would be terrible to see them go.

My son's play MCLA lax at Cal Poly and Oregon. These club sports are an important part of their college experience, still getting to compete at a D1 level while attending their college of choice. They are self funded. They play sports while achieving high academic standards, and represent the universities well. Animosity by administration toward the programs is not in the university 's best interest. The administration has no purpose for existence outside the presence of the students, including the athletes. It is the administration's function to support them. Period.

Cal should continue to be able to have a lax team! It is an important part of the community and has a storied history.

Former player. Cal Lacrosse contributed more to my college experience than any other group I was involved with during my time at the University of California.

As the proud mom of 2 Cal Grads, I am equally dismayed and angered by this situation.

During Ryan's time at Cal, Coach Webster and the team he created was a source of inclusivity, much needed physical and mental escape from intense studies and pandemic stress, and wonderful friendships that Ryan will have for a lifetime.

He and many other Grads had multiple options after graduation...other prestigious grad programs or lucrative jobs…but they CHOSE TO RETURN TO CAL FOR A 5th+ YEAR (due to COVID eligibility), just to play for this amazing team and coach one more year.

UC Berkeley benefited from those returnees in the form of additional tuition fees received.

Cal Rec Sports benefited from ours and many parents’ large donations every year, monies meant to support the Cal Men’s Lacrosse Team. However, that money didn’t make it to its intended purposes in a timely basis, or at all...including Coaches stipends and other monies owed.

As a team captain and 5 year team member, Ryan had a front seat to witness Cal’s lack of diligence and respect.

To clarify, Cal Men's Lacrosse was and is monetarily self-supporting.

They are just asking Cal Rec Sports employees to do their job and give their students/athletes/teams who proudly wear the Blue and Gold, the administrative support they are paid to do.

CAL, PLEASE DO BETTER FOR ALL YOUR STUDENT ATHLETES…NCAA, Club or Rec. They are ALL hardworking student athletes who deserve and need your respect and support.

I have been involved with the program for close to 10 years as the PA announcer. Over those years, I’ve have had the over-whelming opportunity to meet countless young men and experience in person their growth as leaders, teammates as well as their undeniable display of sportsmanship.

Games on weekends at Memorial were true events and opposing school’s players would stand in awe that they were out there, posing with teammates and taking selfies. The Cal Straw Hat Band would keep the rowdy crowd pumped up throughout the games. Obviously these games and experiences meant a lot to me because I keep coming back year after year, without any real skin in the game.

I can’t believe you have to fight to keep this program running (as well as the other rec clubs). Who are these clowns running these departments and why are they still employed there? The lacrosse program runs itself financially, with the fantastic support of the players, parents and alumni. Ned deserves better than this!

I grew up going to Cal lacrosse games in memorial stadium and it is a shame that they are not able to play there anymore. There is no reason why they are getting targeted by RCS

I am a boys youth lacrosse coach and the captain of the Palo Alto Ducks men’s post collegiate club team. Lacrosse is BOOMING in the Bay Area and there are many young men who grow up dreaming of playing this sport at an institution like Cal. Getting rid of this program runs against the grain of the local lacrosse community

Having an organized, consistent club team outlet at UC Berkeley provided a framework of consistency for my time at Cal. It is contradictory to the values of this world renowned institution how extensive the lack of resources and support this team and its coach has e been receiving for quite some time. . Clear concise communication is the first step in righting this wrong.

What has happened to the cal lacrosse team is shameful. How UC Berkeley has allowed this to fester is unacceptable. I have two uc Berkeley graduates and will not donate a penny to the university until this is resolved

I played against Cal in Memorial stadium in the late 80's. Amazing experience. Sad to see some college sports, which are so important to student athletes, treated this way.

I am a Cal Lacrosse Alum, and I have coached lacrosse collegiately (26+ years) ever since I graduated from Cal. I strive to give my UCSD players a life experience like I received playing Cal Lacrosse, because it was, without a doubt, the most important experience I had as a student.

Having coached MCLA in the UC system, I understand better than most all the administrative challenges listed in this petition. The Cal Lacrosse team has functioned out of necessity as a self-funded program. But the University administration should still have the student athletes' best interest at heart when it makes decisions on essential resources. Cal lacrosse players have strived for lacrosse and academic excellence for decades, and the program has been one of the longest standing, most successful, and storied programs on the West Coast. While today players strive for excellence in lacrosse and academics, later this translates into excellence in life and community. However, all of this requires some basic and fundamental support from the university- in fields, required administration, and freedom (or at least absence of barriers) to solve problems due to lack of additional support.

I hope that the University can remedy this dire situation so that the program can once again flourish. I am distraught that the petition is in regards to the deterioration of the most basic university support, when we should instead be discussing the numerous benefits and positive potential impact for the university if it threw full support at the Cal Men's Lacrosse Program.

It hurts to see the lacrosse community struggle. Give them what they deserve

The way Cal Lacrosse has been treated has been unacceptable and needs to be remedied immediately

The coaches and players in the men’s lacrosse program deserve the University’s full support. Over the years the team has been a significantly positive influence on many hundreds of players and their families. The head coach is inspirational and promotes Cal’s dedication to the highest academic and social standards; he is a major contributor to insuring that Cal continues its position as the nation’s number one public university.

Lacrosse is a competitive skill game, created by the Native Americans, which has grown in over 100 years to a nationwide and worldwide sport that engenders lifelong friendships and networks for both male and female student participants from youth recreation leagues through middle,school, high school, college and pro league teams. The Cal Bears are part of that sports legacy and should continue to be supported by the Cal Berkeley Athletic
Administration.

My son is a freshman attending UC Berkeley and the Men’s Club Lacrosse program was a key consideration factor for him when selecting this University. His participation with this team has been a tremendously rewarding experience for him and I want this to continue. Lacrosse is a foundational component of his overall Berkeley experience now and I expect this to continue over the next several years. The team deserves a fair and professional working and operations model within the Recreational Club Sports Department model. The student athletes, coaches, parents, and community surrounding Cal Men’s Lacrosse deserve complete support from the University to address the current challenges at hand.

(Processed)

As a former player and supporter of the team as well as the University as a whole I have been disappointed in the support the team has received. The Cal Men’s lacrosse team has been a force in West Coast Lacrosse for generations and its functioning has been hampered by poor support. The team raises its own funds, it needs to receive the proper support from the University.

Cal Lacrosse has tirelessly and selflessly supported the University in building a successful program spanning over 60 years, and it deserves the same level of cooperation and support from the University.