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What do you think about the student vote to move UC San Diego to D1 athletics ? It ’ s good for sports , but I worry about the small , laid-back feel of the campus , which was always so focused on mainly academics — I worry D1 will put pressure on the school and change its focus for the worse , not for the better . Alison Black , ERC ’ 05 , M . Ed . ’ 09 , Ed . D . ’ 16
UCSD has had a long reputation as an academically focused institution , which one could argue has contributed to the school ’ s less socially engaging student body , in turn diminishing alumni affinity and engagement . [ D1 ] creates an opportunity for not only students and alumni , but the San Diego community to rally around the school ’ s achievements outside the classroom , build comradeship , and support and promote the school nationally . Brian A . Joubran , Warren , ’ 02
I liked it better when we were Division 0 back in 1965 . Recreational athletics was all there was . Everybody played and nobody watched . Tom Tweed , Revelle , ’ 70
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What does the vote say to you about UC San Diego ? On one hand , it ’ s interesting to see UCSD take this move — it could be a sign of a maturing campus . On the other hand , it looks like a chicken-and-egg situation — students are willing to pay for eggs but very few of them actually want chicken ( based on apparent student support for the current athletic program , including teams that already compete on a Division I level , like men ’ s volleyball ). Ryan Olson , Marshall , ’ 00
The vote to become Division I at UC San Diego stems from a lack of central community , which is further individualized by creating specific colleges . While many students cross paths , they do not have any unifying thread which would further develop interdisciplinary interaction . The students and alumni are looking for a sense of pride that goes beyond the abstract or academic by creating a competitive team spirit . Ronnie Das , Sixth College ,’ 09
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How can we do D1 the Triton way ? I think we can move into D1 in a way that marries itself with UC San Diego ’ s uniqueness , both intellectually and entrepreneurially . For example , what engineering projects can magnify athletes ' competitive advantage ? UC San Diego is already a leader in biosensors , both in lab research and in companies started by alumni and nurtured by campus connections . D1 athletics is a perfect venue for this collaborative spirit to grow . Ping Yeh , Muir ’ 99 , M . S . ’ 01
The purpose of intercollegiate sport ( and all spectator sports , in my opinion ) is to act as a human development tool . For the athletes , elite competition is the fulcrum they use to push themselves to the limit . For spectators , facilitating and witnessing this elite competition is a fount of inspiration . Let ' s keep these values in mind and not devolve into the mindless tribalism that other schools seem to have fallen into . Stephen Hubbard , Sixth College ,’ 09
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What is your personal outlook on a D1 UC San Diego — what are you excited for , or concerned about ? I realize that the road to Division I success is not an easy one — it will be a lengthy struggle for our athletic teams to reach the point where success is possible . However , I look forward to the day where I can open a newspaper as a proud alumnus and see my university on the front page of the sports section , celebrating its latest accomplishment . Rohan Grover , Revelle , ’ 18
I believe we are finally ready to strike the ultimate balance between top-notch academics and world-class athletics . College memories are tied to great experiences , and having D1 athletics and the opportunity to compete at the highest level both in and out of the classroom will only enhance those memories and add life to the campus . Derek Danziger , Muir ’ 95
Even with my reservations about the student mindset : Go Tritons !!! Nicholas Ekdahl , Warren ’ 84
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