The Sept. 8 Gazette sports article on the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame inductees devoted the first 10 paragraphs to the two men honored and included summaries of their careers and excerpts from their acceptance speeches. [“UMass legends Victor Cruz and Chaz Williams among school’s Hall of Fame Class of 2025” Sept. 8]. The two women inductees were first mentioned in paragraph eleven of the article — the only one that gave details of their accomplishments.
Each alumni athlete in this year’s Hall of Fame class have made substantial contributions to their sport and community since leaving UMass. Each deserved fair recognition by the Gazette. As a former UMass athlete and consultant who has worked in the area of social justice and athletics, I’ve heard calls to “save women’s sports.” To me, creating and preserving athletic opportunities for girls and women means dedicating equal funding and coverage to women’s sports, and ensuring that female coaches, athletes, and athletic staff encounter safe and affirming environments where they train, compete, and work.
Charmaine Wijeyesinghe
South Hadley