AD Knowlton pens letter about “resilience in unprecedented times”

In what are undoubtedly unprecedented times for every school across the country, the Cal Golden Bears athletics department is no different, having to cancel their winter championships and spring sports during the coronavirus outbreak that’s gripped the whole world.

Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton took time during the outbreak to give an update from the athletics department and sing praise for athletes who had their seasons untimely ceased as well as urge safety and precaution for us all during this tough time in American history.

Knowlton, in a letter penned on Cal’s official website, sang praises for multiple teams and athletes including the men’s swimming & diving team who captured their third straight Pac-12 title earlier this month. He also noted Ryan Hoffer, specifically, after he won three individual events and was selected as a semifinalist for the AAU Sullivan Award.

Also joining Hoffer on the Sullivan Award semifinalist list was women’s swimmer Abbey Weitzeil, winner of the 50 free at the Pac-12 women’s swimming championship.

He also gave special praise to all of those who, amidst the outbreak in California, still contributed to the Big Give on March 12. All of those members of the community who contributed including student-athletes and former athletes helped Cal finish top 5 in terms of total dollar raised among those in the Big Slice contest.

Perhaps most importantly, however, Knowlton closed his memo by accepting the challenging times that are currently happening as well as acknowledging the trying times are still to come by urging safe and smart decisions from everyone. He stated that the entire Cal athletics department will continuously look for ways to improve and support the Cal mission during this time as well.

Read all of Knowlton’s message, here.

Like he said, though, here’s hoping we all can return to normalcy soon and get through this safe and sound.