LETTERS: PROUD OF HIS RECORD

To the editor:

These last few weeks have afforded me the opportunity to reflect upon the events that have led to my resignation as head athletic trainer at Southeast Missouri State University.

I came to Southeast with high hopes, dreams and a vision of instituting a sports medicine program that would be the envy of other universities, regardless of politics and social differences. Unfortunately, those hopes, dreams and visions will remain just that.

Recent articles and reports in the media have suggested that I am guilty of something. I am guilty -- guilty of believing in excellence, of following orders and strong suggestions, of returning injured athletes to competition, or wanting to build a quality program and of giving 110 percent of myself to something I believe in. All of this was accomplished through integrity, hard work, honesty and discipline, traits in today's society seen only as words, not actions.

But what I am not guilty of is doing anything that would ever harm or compromise the health and welfare of any athlete under my direct supervision.

Through my years of experience with the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, International Olympic Committee, USA Wrestling, PRCA, NCAA and Duke and Arizona State universities, I have learned that people aren't always going to agree on procedures and methods of treatment. However, I have always followed a formula of techniques and protocol in common practice for the optimal treatment for top professional and collegiate athletes.

I appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of Southeast athletics. I would particularly like to commend the efforts and cooperation of the Center for Health and Counseling, the Department of Public Safety and, for the most part, the coaches and student-athletes of Southeast. It was because of those people that my job and the friendships that arose from it were so enjoyable.

DAVE GROSSMAN

Jackson