When Lacrosse Is About More Than Lacrosse
Some see a larger signifance to Whittier’s decision to end the storied program
While all sports are important to the community of Whittier College, the men’s lacrosse program holds a special place and fulfills a unique purpose. The Whittier College men’s lacrosse team was established in 1981 as one of the earliest members of the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League. The Poets won a record 10 WCLL championships between 1985 and 1999, dominating the league. Whittier’s lacrosse program has continuously played an important role in the growth of lacrosse, primarily an East Coast sport, on the West Coast.
Whittier College lacrosse went on to join the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1999. Since then, Whittier College has had the distinction offering the only NCAA men’s lacrosse program in California. This history and context has been somewhat lost in the tumult following the abrupt news announced in mid-November that Whittier would be discontinuing the program, along with football and golf. But it didn’t go unnoticed by national publications covering collegiate athletics. Inside Lacrosse featured the news prominently in piece headlined: Whittier, Lone California NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Team, Drops Program.
Lacrosse All-Stars also published a story detailing the program’s storied history, writing, “This is extremely disheartening because the school was the only NCAA lacrosse team in the state of California.
In November, students at the small liberal arts school in Los Angeles County were caught off guard by the news that three significant sports were to be discontinued after the 2023 season. The football team, men’s and women’s golf, and men’s lacrosse, which posted an 8–5 record last season. The announcement came just before Thanksgiving break and finals.
Dozens of students gathered in front of Mendenhall Hall, home of the school’s top administrators, on November 17 to protest the cuts. Men’s lacrosse team captain, Jack Mahoney, said that the team is “disappointed with the lack of transparency” over the process and decision. “I think it’s really hard for administrators to determine the value of those who are on the team, although our cost is net negative I think the impact of our sport in the classroom and field is invaluable,” said Mahoney.
“I think the impact of our sport in the classroom and field is invaluable.”
Concerns over the future of Whittier’s lacrosse program grew for some of the players when their coach for the 2021–2022 season, Curt Fox, quit suddenly at the end of last year. “He was really cutting ties, telling basically everyone to transfer but wouldn’t tell us why,” said Kale Lanza, a senior on the lacrosse team. With Coach Fox leaving, Lanza was responsible for recruiting new players and ensuring that everyone else stayed. “I had to lie to all these kids and I can’t bear it,” he said. “It makes me feel like an awful human being.”
At the beginning of the 2022–2023 academic year, the Whittier College men’s lacrosse team introduced a new head coach, Bobby Dabrieo. Dabrieo had previously coached California Polytechnic State University’s club team, sparking rumors that Whittier College lacrosse may be returning to WCLL. Some players contend that Dabrieo was over his head at this level of competition and on October 21st, the night before the team’s first fall scrimmage of the year, Dabrieo held a team meeting at which he announced his resignation, leaving players without someone to lead them into their forthcoming game.
On December 5th, the men’s lacrosse team met their new coach, Ryan Kirkpatrick, who will take the reins for the final season as an NCAA Division III program. Kirkpatrick is a Whittier College alum who graduated in 2011 with a degree in Kinesiology. He was a standout athlete in football and lacrosse. Kirkpatrick was an assistant coach with the lacrosse team from 2012–2017 and helped guide the team to an NCAA tournament berth in 2016. “He came in with a lot of passion and energy” said third-year lacrosse player Connor Hoemann.
In wake of the announcment that Kirkpatrick will be coaching the team, captain Alex Coco says the players are determined to make the most of the season. “We’re really just looking forward to laying it all out and playing like we have nothing to lose,” said Coco.
“We’re really just looking forward to laying it all out and playing like we have nothing to lose.”
Whittier College has estimated that cutting these programs will save $700,000 a year. Miguel Santana, director of Whittier College’s Board of Trustees, has stated that the money being saved will be put to benefit the rest of the student body as well as invested into the schools growing Esports offerings. These cuts, though, come at the cost of losing at some part of 120 students’ tuition each year — the number of students participating in the affected programs. Many students not only come from out of state, but have travelled internationally to pursue their athletic careers at Whittier College. The men’s lacrosse team, as the only NCAA team on the West Coast, filled a unique recruiting function.
Alumni from the lacrosse team at Whittier College responded to the decision on November 17th with a letter addressed to the president Linda Oubré, expressing their feelings that cutting the lacrosse team would have a negative impact on the Whittier community. This letter stated: “The tuition from these students alone brings in more money than the programs spend, so it is inconceivable how this move will save the school any money.”
Whittier College relies heavily on student’s tuition and donations coming from alumni to meet its budgets. In response to the decision made by the Board of Trustees, more than 60 alumni have said they will cease all donations. Doug Locker, the founding member of Whittier College lacrosse, signed it as well.
“We will be protesting this atrocious decision by ceasing all donations to Whittier College, participation in alumni events, and halting any recommendation of Whittier College to prospective students,” the letter states.
In a November 21, 2022 open letter to Whittier College Faculty, Trustees and Community, Katy Murphy, a Whittier College graduate and Director of Admissions from 1978–1990, wrote that, “Whittier is at a point where there are opportunities to success, and the decision to eliminate the varsity sports perhaps will be the definitive factor in a failed future.”
In the letter, Murphy, whose resume includes a stint as the National President For College Admissions Counseling, says she has been frustrated in her attempts to offer advice and guidance on how to better recruit and retain students.
“The decision to eliminate the varsity sports perhaps will be the definitive factor in a failed future.”
On December 7th, a second town-hall meeting was held in the school’s Graham Athletics Center. Well over a hundred student-athletes gathered to share their thoughts, as well as have their questions directly answered by President Oubré, Dean of Students Deanna-Merino Contino, and Chairman Miquel Santana. “I’ve spoken to them [Alumni] over the entire summer and this year, and they’re so willing to help. They’re willing to help, but the fact that no one knew about it is why we’re where we are now,” shouted Kale Lanza, the senior lacrosse player as Contino pulled the plug on his microphone. The administrators in attendance did not respond to Lanza.
Additionally, students questioned why coaches were left recruiting first years for the 2022–2023 seasons. “You let coaches recruit knowing their sport would be cancelled?” Connor Hoemann asked, to which President Oubre responded, “Yes.”
Some student athletes have made clear they now intend to transfer. “I’m going to Utah, definitely transfering out,” said second-year Jayden Warlem. Along with Warlem, five other players have indicated they will be going to Utah to finish their academic careers.
Many had hopes that there would be a change, or wished that the college had communicated better so that players could have done something about the situation sooner. “I wish things could be different but you know, you can’t do anything now,” said second-year Owen Wallace. Some are looking to continue their athletic careers elsewhere, and already receiving offers from other schools. Others, are thinking of hanging their cleats up for good.
First years, specifically, are having a hard time with this predicament, as they were promised a home for the next four years. “We finally started getting to know each other, and get close to the rest of the team. And now we’re being forced to leave,” said first-year Jackson Archibald who is also leaving Whittier for Utah.
“We finally started getting to know each other, and get close to the rest of the team. And now we’re being forced to leave.”
