Radcliffe Athletics

To the Editor of The Crimson:

I would like to correct an error in the May 7 article on the Radcliffe lacrosse team. Mr. Sadowsky begins by stating that crew, begun only six years ago, is the oldest Radcliffe varsity sport. In fact, the majority, including swimming, sailing, field hockey, and basketball, are far older, the last two both being over fifty years old. To imply that Radcliffe women were not involved in athletic competition in past years is grossly unfair to large numbers of Radcliffe athletes.

In addition, many of the Radcliffe teams have done quite well before becoming involved with Harvard three years ago. The sailing team, for example, has been competing intercollegiately for the last thirteen years, during which time it was considered by Radcliffe to be a varsity sport. The team has gone to the sailing nationals for the last nine years and won four times while placing second or third four others. Although sailing is omitted from most lists of Radcliffe varsity sports, it should, in fact, be one of the few included. Along with the crew it is the only team I know of which prefers to be called a Radcliffe rather than a Harvard women's team.

The Radcliffe jock has a long history, and with the Radcliffe sailing and crew teams she is far from dead. Sarah Herrick '76