Great leadership

I want to publicly thank Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt and his assistant Matt Williams for allowing 9-year-old Brody Gard of Jackson to be the "honorary coach" at the men's game recently. I also want to thank the entire team and assistant coaches for being so kind and gracious to Brody. Thanks to all you guys, this courageous St. Jude patient wore a beautiful smile all evening, an evening I'm sure he won't soon forget. SEMO should be proud of the representation it has with this fine coaching staff and every single one of its players.

I was told by a traveler on the Dallas trip when we went to play SMU on Dec. 29 that restaurant workers who served our team said it was one of the nicest bunch of basketball players it has ever been associated with.

Also, I was fortunate enough to attend every game this year for the Southeast football team, including the playoff game at EWU, and I experienced first hand what a great group of young men were on the football team. We received so many great compliments on those guys on every road trip from the hotel staff, stadium workers and even from the flight attendants on the flights to and from Spokane.

Kudos to coach Dickey Nutt and his staff and coach Tony Samuel and his staff for the fine representation your young men are to Southeast Missouri State University. It all starts with you guys and your leadership.

KIM HOPE, Cape Girardeau