Susan Polgar

Hungarian GM

“I have known Patrick Giblin for 13–14 years. He is a good person who has worked hard to present Webster University’s difficult and controversial decision in the most positive light possible… However, several glaring inaccuracies in the reporting require correction.

Program Costs:

Giblin said costs of the program included salaries for the director and assistant director, bonuses for both after every championship win, extensive travel, maintaining a large, dedicated space on campus, full scholarships for all students and more.

But there is only one salaried position — the Director/Head Coach. The program does not have an Assistant Director or Assistant Coach. Not all students receive full scholarships. While the current training space is spacious, the team previously trained in a room under 1,000 square feet and still achieved national dominance.

University Investment:

University officials stated they had to invest more than $1 million per year from the operating budget.

This is not accurate. Under the most recent Chess Director/Head Coach, since 2021, the annual chess budget was well below $1 million. With proper fundraising efforts, the program could potentially be fully supported through donations.

Visa Restrictions:

The university cited visa restrictions, claiming the team was mainly comprised of international students.

This is incorrect. Of the 6 members of the men’s team, 4 are either U.S.-born or have legal U.S. status, including our top three players. Only 2 players, from Italy and India, are international students, and neither faces visa issues.

Fundraising and Enrollment:

The university claimed it never met its fundraising goals or attracted enough students to the St. Louis campus since the program began in 2012.

Notably, the current administration never once asked me to assist with fundraising efforts.”

Susan Polgar

Hungarian GM

“Most concerning is — if the university was truly struggling to finance the SPICE chess program, why did no one in the current administration, especially President Dr. Tim Keane, ever inform me of any problems or reach out for help?

Furthermore, if Webster could no longer support the program, I should have been given sufficient time to relocate it elsewhere.

The damage caused by Webster University President Dr. Tim Keane to my professional reputation, the legacy of SPICE, and the welfare of our student-athletes is irreparable!”