Letters to the Editor

Cheerleading Pride

I was extremely proud to learn that the UNH Cheerleading team has a rich history of being trendsetters (Fall 2009). A tradition, if you will, that continues today.

In 2007, Shaunna Norris Foley '96 and Jackie Briggs '06, former UNH cheerleaders, took over the head coaching positions. In their first two years with the program, the team won two full-paid bids to National Cheerleading Association Nationals, where they placed seventh and fifth respectively in Division I, All Girl, setting a school record. This year, UNH won another full-paid bid to nationals and will be competing in April. Not, however, before they finish cheering on their fellow Wildcats. The main focus remains to cheer on the football team, but in addition the team now cheers for volleyball and the men's and women's basketball teams. While some schools have separate teams for games and competition, UNH prides itself on having one team that continues to both foster the rich tradition of UNH cheerleading and challenge itself at the national level.

Mary LeRose '09
Indianapolis, Ind.

Operation Hat Trick

Congratulations! The Fall 2009 issue was the best publication I've seen from UNH in a long time. There were a number of interesting and well-written articles, especially "Lessons from Loss" by Sue Hertz '78. There is one thing missing from that article, though. How can UNH alums participate in Operation Hat Trick? I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to make a donation.

Holly Pfenninger Bostwick '74
Santa Fe, N.M.

Editor's note: More information on Operation Hat Trick is online at www.unhwildcats.com or by contacting Dot Sheehan '71, senior associate athletic director for external relations, at (603) 862-4677 or dot.sheehan@unh.edu.

Super Bowl: The List

A recent letter to the editor in UNH Magazine said that Scott Curtis '87 may have been the only Wildcat to play in a Super Bowl. Bruce Huther '76 played special teams and linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1978 and 1979 Super Bowl games.

Chris Merrill '73, '78G
Reston, Va.

Editor's note: A consolidation of corrections seems in order. A Winter 2009 article on the history of UNH football, "Beware the Underdogs," mentioned a number of UNH football greats, including Bruce Huther '76, Dave Rozmek '76, Ilia Jarostchuk '87 and Jerry Azuma '99, as well as more recent stars such as Ricky Santos '08, Richard "R.J." Toman '10, David Ball '06 and Corey Graham '07. Since then, letter writers Myles Friedman '64, April Blodgett '87 and now Chris Merrill '73 have added to that list the Super Bowl standouts Dan Kreider '99 (Steelers, XL), Scott Curtis '87 (Broncos, XXIV) and Huther (Cowboys, XII, XIII).

History Committee Lauded

For my role in initiating From the Ground Up, a history of the UNH Foundation, I feel very grateful and honored to receive the foundation's Volunteer of the Year award, and follow-up coverage in UNH Magazine. I also feel that five members of the UNH Foundation Directors Emeriti History Committee share in this recognition, as does Gail Sprowl, staff member, who has served the foundation from its beginning days.

Each of these men and women know the value of recorded history, and the benefit of gathering that history first-hand from founders and leaders. Their shared goal has been to preserve the history of the UNH Foundation, its origins and growth, from 1989 to 2009.

Together, as emeriti directors of the UNH Foundation, they hold a long and impressive record of service to the university, the UNH Foundation and the UNH Alumni Association. The directors are: Betty Hoadley '57, '72G, current USNH trustee and Alumni Association president, 2004-2005; Allan Prince, first treasurer of the UNH Foundation and interim president in 1996; Mel Rines '47, UNH Foundation chair, 1998-2003, and recipient of the Hubbard Award for Service to Philanthropy in 2007; Penny Wakefield '69, Alumni Association president, 1990-1991; Jack Weeks '55, USNH trustee, 1996-2000, and recipient of the Profile in Service award in 2002. The committee spent two years interviewing, composing and gathering material. Suki Casanave '86G worked with this committee as the writer of our book.

It is often said, "why wasn't a history written." Let us hope the next generation of the UNH Foundation has someone interested in writing one.

Valerie Cutts Wilcox England '54
Durham, N.H.