Ice Rink Should Be Salvaged

To the Editors:

I am writing to express my dismay at the news of the closing of the Williams Rink. As a member of the much- adored Plague for four years, I can attest to the seriousness of its loss. Oberlin’s recent trials on the athletic fields, particularly in men’s sports, have been abysmal, as
its squads fail to finish at or above .500 year after year. The Oberlin hockey team posted a winning record every year that I was a member, and upset schools (e.g. University of Toledo in 1998) with much larger, better-funded teams. Furthermore, the hockey team had a large and boisterous following. On many a Friday night, the stands were packed with a cross section of students, all screaming madly, pounding on the boards and screaming invective at opposing squads. Clearly, it would be fiscal lunacy for the College to fork over the $250,000 to reopen the rink, but the College should give pause and consider the example of the hockey team, versus, say, the football squad. With a minimal budget, no coaches, no recruiting, self-imposed practices, carpooling, etc. the hockey squad not only provided both player and fan with a fantastic extracurricular experience and a chance to gather as a community, it also managed to consistently win.

–Ted Carleton
OC ’99