Jenny Thompson, one of America's most decorated swimmers, has turned down the Charles Holmes Pette Medal, the highest honor given by UNH's Alumni Association, as a sign of protest against the university's decision to eliminate men's swimming.

"How can the university honor me for accomplishments in an endeavor which they clearly do not respect," said the Stanford graduate.

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UNH eliminated the men's team along with men's and women's tennis and women's crew. They announced the move as a part of a larger restructuring and fundraising effort. Athletics Director Marty Scarano went so far as to say in a release from the university that the plan "recognizes the greatness we have already achieved and the belief that we will have the means to become even greater."

Gregg Sanborn, the Alumni Association's executive director, said he was "disappointed" Thompson did not accept the medal, "but we respect her decision."

Thompson, currently enrolled at Columbia for medical school added, "I grew up in New Hampshire and was proud to be an Olympian from the state. The message from the largest university in the state is that it doesn't support Olympic sports."

Several members of the teams protested at the statehouse and met with Governor John Lynch to give him a copy of Thompson's statement. and to plead their case

Michelle Garnsey, a member of the women's team told the Associated Press, "The men's swim team doesn't cost that much more money in the end. We already have the pool time, we already have the coaches, and we're already traveling to meets."