December 2003

For EVERYONE connected to the football team, the 2003 season has been difficult to put it mildly. The players, coaches, parents and fans have had to call upon their faith, patience, and perseverance to pull them through a trying time.

A very demanding schedule starting with Big Sky foes Northern Arizona and Sacramento State on the road was a tall order for a team making the adjustment to a new coaching staff and a new offense. Additionally, an ongoing major challenge is that most Gael football opponents offer more grants-in-aid than Saint Mary's.

By most forecasts from longtime Gael watchers, this was going to be a transition year with all that term entails. But it's doubtful anyone envisioned the degree that injuries would devastate the squad. Going into the final two home games of the year, more than 30 different players have suffered physical problems that diminished their playing time.

Yet, the Saint Mary's football family has handled the adversity of the 2003 season with dignity, while trying to set the groundwork for better days ahead.

To the players and their parents, I say thank you for choosing Saint Mary's and representing the College well at all times. To the coaches, I offer my encouragement. Installing a new system and becoming successful is a process. We are less than one full season into that process.

And to our supporters, alumni, and friends, I assure you that being competitive is an important goal for football as it is for all our intercollegiate sports. We pursue such an objective in the context of our Lasallian mission, not sacrificing academic standards. To achieve competitiveness, we must examine every aspect of the program, including scheduling and funding. And that is being accomplished.

Few would argue that football occupies a special niche in this institution's history. And that niche has been built on significant success and overcoming adversity. Join me in seeking solutions to difficult questions. I know we have a mutual goal - the best for our deserving student-athletes.

Go Gaels!

Carl R. Clapp
Director of Athletics