A Letter To Husky Nation
March 20, 2020 | General
Husky Nation,
Just over one week ago I was in Las Vegas waiting to cheer on our men's basketball team – hoping against hope that we would start a run that would restore the promise that season had held. Ten days ago. In the ten days that have followed, everything has changed. I have had to tell our amazing student-athletes that their seasons were over – some before they had even truly begun. I had to look at our coaches and tell them that everything that they had been working towards was not going to happen. And I had to tell you, our fans, that the events you were looking forward to attending won't take place. I have used words like pain, disappointment, and sadness as I have communicated these messages. And with the directive to work remotely wherever possible, we have been sequestered from each other during this time – unable to be physically close and to personally connect with our students, our teams and staff in the way that we are accustomed to. These are difficult times.
But this is not about sport. And it is not about us as individuals, as teams, or as a collegiate athletic program. This is about our community. It is about coming together and making really difficult decisions that, while they are not to our advantage as a sports program, are absolutely for the best for our community, our state, our country, and our world.
It has been an honor to watch the heroes at our university, the healthcare providers and researchers on the front lines of this pandemic, make national headlines as the leaders and difference makers who are searching for and finding the answers that this country needs. We are so fortunate to work at this world-class institution and live in a world-class city. These are the people upon whom this season's accolades and awards must be bestowed.
Our students and our teams have repeatedly demonstrated their strength, resilience, and ability to overcome challenges. Wins, scores, and stats are no longer what matter and, in the context of this crisis, our disappointment in a game or a season is largely irrelevant. I've been so inspired by our seniors, who have handled these unforeseen circumstances with class and leadership. These young women and men have captured our hearts over the years, and I would give anything to see them compete again as Huskies.
We are all in this together and we can draw on the knowledge that with great challenges come incredible growth opportunities. I am confident that together as Huskies – student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans - we will emerge stronger than ever. When the time is right, we will join together in the joy of athletic competition and celebrate our ability to do just that. It will be epic.
I want to express my compassion, sympathy, and well wishes for all in our community who have been directly affected by this pandemic. In these difficult times, we are thinking of nothing more than your health, safety, and well-being.
I want to also thank our amazing fans, season ticket holders, and Tyee Club members. Your unwavering support gives us the ability to continue to provide our student-athletes with the critical resources they need to succeed. We exist to serve our students in all of their endeavors. That doesn't change. We will continue to ensure that each and every one of our students can continue to learn, grow, and achieve and that will happen through your steadfast commitment to the University of Washington.
We will all get through this. And, as always, we will do so together.
Go Dawgs!
Jennifer Cohen
Just over one week ago I was in Las Vegas waiting to cheer on our men's basketball team – hoping against hope that we would start a run that would restore the promise that season had held. Ten days ago. In the ten days that have followed, everything has changed. I have had to tell our amazing student-athletes that their seasons were over – some before they had even truly begun. I had to look at our coaches and tell them that everything that they had been working towards was not going to happen. And I had to tell you, our fans, that the events you were looking forward to attending won't take place. I have used words like pain, disappointment, and sadness as I have communicated these messages. And with the directive to work remotely wherever possible, we have been sequestered from each other during this time – unable to be physically close and to personally connect with our students, our teams and staff in the way that we are accustomed to. These are difficult times.
But this is not about sport. And it is not about us as individuals, as teams, or as a collegiate athletic program. This is about our community. It is about coming together and making really difficult decisions that, while they are not to our advantage as a sports program, are absolutely for the best for our community, our state, our country, and our world.
It has been an honor to watch the heroes at our university, the healthcare providers and researchers on the front lines of this pandemic, make national headlines as the leaders and difference makers who are searching for and finding the answers that this country needs. We are so fortunate to work at this world-class institution and live in a world-class city. These are the people upon whom this season's accolades and awards must be bestowed.
Our students and our teams have repeatedly demonstrated their strength, resilience, and ability to overcome challenges. Wins, scores, and stats are no longer what matter and, in the context of this crisis, our disappointment in a game or a season is largely irrelevant. I've been so inspired by our seniors, who have handled these unforeseen circumstances with class and leadership. These young women and men have captured our hearts over the years, and I would give anything to see them compete again as Huskies.
We are all in this together and we can draw on the knowledge that with great challenges come incredible growth opportunities. I am confident that together as Huskies – student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans - we will emerge stronger than ever. When the time is right, we will join together in the joy of athletic competition and celebrate our ability to do just that. It will be epic.
I want to express my compassion, sympathy, and well wishes for all in our community who have been directly affected by this pandemic. In these difficult times, we are thinking of nothing more than your health, safety, and well-being.
I want to also thank our amazing fans, season ticket holders, and Tyee Club members. Your unwavering support gives us the ability to continue to provide our student-athletes with the critical resources they need to succeed. We exist to serve our students in all of their endeavors. That doesn't change. We will continue to ensure that each and every one of our students can continue to learn, grow, and achieve and that will happen through your steadfast commitment to the University of Washington.
We will all get through this. And, as always, we will do so together.
Go Dawgs!
Jennifer Cohen
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Washington Men's Basketball Postgame Press Conference: B1G Second Round
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UW Athletics & Boundless Futures offer financial workshops for student-athletes.
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B1G Tourney Dub 🤝
Wednesday, March 11
