Letter: Hatchell should not be a scapegoat

TO THE EDITOR:

Dear Chancellor Carol Folt,

Please let this letter be our endorsement of the character of Coach Sylvia Hatchell. 

We have known Sylvia her entire life and have found her to always be an honest and upright person in all her dealings. Sylvia grew up in Unity Baptist Church here in Gastonia and the community in which we live. 

Because of our work with her at Unity through the years, we are very much aware of her character.

Sylvia has always been an ambassador throughout the world for UNC and all of its establishments. 

She took a failing Tar Heel women’s basketball program and made it into a level of national importance. 

She has helped to bring women’s basketball to where it is today. 

We believe women have been discriminated against in this field, and Title IX says they are equal. We are sure you are aware of all the accomplishments she has made and the awards she has won. 

She would not have been able to accomplish all this without devotion and integrity.

Not only is she an ambassador for UNC, she is an ambassador for others — Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; opening her home to friends and their families, giving them a place to stay while their loved ones are in the hospital at Chapel Hill; never forgetting her roots by giving support and assistance in any way she can to the people in West Gastonia where she grew up; speaking to various organizations and schools; encouraging students to work hard and be the best they can be -— showing her compassion and integrity. 

We encourage you to renew Coach Hatchell’s contract because she is outstanding, upstanding and has a lot more to give to the UNC women’s basketball program. 

Don’t discriminate against her because of her gender, age, Christian beliefs or because people she trusted were supposed to be in control. 

Don’t make Coach Hatchell and women’s basketball the “scapegoat.”

Dean Mabry 

Gastonia 

Libby Mabry

Gastonia