I am a former soccer player at UNC-Chapel Hill and am delighted to see an end to years of stress and aggravation to Anson Dorrance and his family. Ruth Sheehan's Jan. 16 column implying that the lawsuit had merit, that other players were afraid to speak and that the truth will never be known was upsetting. The hundreds of former players, managers and coaches have spoken. We spoke when the lawsuit was filed in an open letter published by local and national newspapers. We spoke by not joining the two. We spoke by offering to testify.

The women involved in the soccer program are not weak or easily intimidated. We are intelligent, strong, successful women. The unbelievable achievements of our program could have occurred no other way. We are leaders of business and our communities. We are mothers. We are respectful and loyal, not blindly, but where that respect and loyalty have been earned.

We are loyal to Anson Dorrance and the women's soccer program because we know. We do not have to speculate. We were there. Talk to us. Then you, too, will know.

Lisa Duffy Blalock

1987 UNC graduate

Laurinburg