A copy of my email to them both today. I was directed to a couple forums by a Bruin teammate and thought it would be worth sharing the point of view of a former athlete who has seen the ups and downs first hand, including this past season while training with Art & the throwers for the USA Track & Field Masters Div:

Gentlemen,

As a member of the 1987 & 1988 Championship teams (Decathlon/Javelin) I have to express my strong disagreement with the decision to not renew the contract for Art Venegas.  Many of us from that "golden era" have stayed in direct touch with the program specifically because we like what both Art and Anthony Curran have been doing.  We also know what causes the highs and lows.  I am disappointed that the larger picture was not the focus when it comes to the hundreds of titles and honors won by the men and women (especially throwers) during Art's time with UCLA...including the past decade.  One must realize that while we athletes always felt as part of a team, track is not truly a team sport, rather individual efforts at individual moments.  More importantly, the "head" coach affects that "team" less than any other sport, since he plays little direct role in any training/competing in the events he does not cover. The coaches of each discipline are nearly 100% responsible for their athlete's preparation, and indirectly, their recruitment.  When I was here, I can assure you Bob Larson had ZERO input to any of the sprint corp, jumps, hurdles or throws.  Nor did he effect recruiting for any.  Incoming athletes are interested in the overall program only after their interest of their specific coach has been addressed.  Athletes came to UCLA Track specifically for Art Venegas, Anthony Curran, John Smith, Bobby Kersee.....and soon we might have said the same for a new sprint coach.  Nobody was better at preaching the responsibility of being a Bruin than Art.....nobody inspired the parents of high schoolers more, and nobody bled Bruin Blue more.  I am a better man/father/businessman because of him and I've seen those who came after me do the same.  I am afraid the program may be set back 3-5 years  considering the potential loss of support from the deep pocketed donors that were on board due to Art, the athletes that may not return, and future recruits that may be lost.  If this is the case, it will be some time before it begins to rebuild. Keep in mind that the top high school athletes bring more of the same, and that momentum was ramping up next year and beyond.  Now it might be lost.

I will grant you these two issues the Athletic Dept is forced to overcome, and puts UCLA at a disadvantage:
- As a non-revenue generating sport, the budget is not there to bring in high grade asst coaches (though you have/had two of the best with Curran & Venegas)
- The academic requirements are strong and no lines are crossed like the other top programs are doing, which gives me pride nonetheless.

You can't be criticized for having both of these hold the program back a little, nor can you place them on the shoulders of a great Bruin like Art Venegas.

I can assure you those of us still on the track when this news became known were not happy and quite surprised, especially considering what the future held.