Dear Dr. Iadarola,

While I'm sure my letter will have no impact on your decision not to renew the contract of John Dzik, I felt compelled to write you to express my utter disgust with the treatment of a beloved and revered member of the Cabrini community. I'm also equally sure that if you did (1)realize your mistake, (2)change your mind and (3) offer to renew his contract, he'd have no alternative but to respectfully decline. That's how poorly this situation was managed. You have literally painted yourself into a corner and have no way out. You have lost thousands of dollars for and done a monumental disservice to Cabrini College. Coach Dzik has given his blood, sweat and tears(I've witnessed all 3) to this college for 25 years and this is how his loyalty is rewarded?

I was absolutely floored when I received and email with an article from the Daily Times regarding Cabrini's decision not to renew Coach Dzik's contract after this year. For the past 25 years, Dzik has done nothing but represent himself and the College with distinction and honor. He has been a role model to all of us who have had the privilege to know and interact with him. I played for Dzik for four years in the mid nineties (while he was also the Athletic Director), and he was a very influential figure in my life and the lives of my teammates and classmates. I wasn't the best player on the team, but that didn't matter to Coach Dzik. He gave equal time and consideration to any student or player that had a problem, needed his help, or just wanted to talk.

I was fortunate enough to have strong parental guidance at home, but I witnessed many people who didn't have this luxury. Coach Dzik made it a point to reach out to them to offer his guidance. He was a father figure to some and a friend or mentor to others. He has been the face of Cabrini for 25 years. It's embarrassing the way he's being treated by an institution that owes him a debt of gratitude that can't be quantified.

The really shameful part of this in my opinion is that he isn't even being informed of a legitimate reason for the virtual discarding. Coach Dzik's record is exemplary. There isn't a performance related issue that would warrant looking for a new coach, so I'm going to have to assume that it is a personality conflict or a petty personal vendetta from somebody high up in the organization. I considered myself a proud alumnus of Cabrini right up until the point when I found out about the travesty that is essentially, the firing of a legend. He's had one losing season in 24 years, and currently has a winning record. He's currently 269 games above .500, and that is an astounding number. You should be naming a building after him rather than showing him the door.

While Coach Dzik has been a Division III Basketball icon, that pales in comparison to his record with the players he has coached. He has touched every one of our lives and has played a part in our success. I am proud to have played for him and even prouder to know him.

Respectfully,

Rob Uff

Class of 1996