Fan Speak April2

Kudos to Bobcats

CONGRATULATIONS, DELTA Bobcats on a third-place finish in Class 1 girls basketball. Your families and fans knew you could go far. 2007 could be good, too.

Woe is us

ADD THE Southeast Missouri State baseball team to this year's list of sports disasters. Even with an easier schedule, they are barely competitive. Southeast's athletics program is at an all-time low. With the exception of track, all of the men's sports are at the bottom of what is probably the weakest conference in the United States, thanks to the administration.

Keep it up, Bobcats

I AM glad the Delta girls basketball team made it to state. Hopefully, the success will continue because it makes the whole town happy. I hope everyone involved has turned the corner, and we will stay on the right track.

No credit

IN THE coverage of Saturday's Noon Optimist girls soccer tournament championship, Jeremy Joffray made sure that Central didn't get any credit. Just a suggestion, but if your writers are assigned to a game or event that they obviously know nothing about, hand it off to someone who actually knows what they're doing.

Wider recruiting net

IF SOUTHEAST fans want the university's sports program to excel, they need to get rid of this local mindset. The baseball coach recruits heavily from the area, and the team gets worse every year. The basketball team has had more local players than most Division I schools over the past several seasons, and look how badly they've done. The best team they program has had since joining the OVC -- the 1999-2000 squad -- had no local players. People are calling for the hiring of a local high school basketball coach with no collegiate experience. There is a huge difference between high school and collegiate athletics. The truth is, the talent from the local high schools is pretty slim. The few excellent players that do come along always go to larger programs.

Sign up B.J.

LET'S HEAR it for Southeast women's basketball coach B.J. Smith. When will Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman make a decision on his contract? Give him a big raise and multiyear contract fast or else Smith will be coaching somewhere else -- and better -- soon.

Too much Stanford

IF SIKESTON is not in the Southeast Missourian coverage area, then I'm almost positive Stanford and LSU aren't either. Yet the women's game between them two was the main story on the front page Tuesday. I understand Stanford beat Southeast's women's team in the tournament, but the main story? The story should have been in a smaller form on Page 4B.

Underappreciated

ADVICE FOR women's basketball coach B.J. Smith: You have done more than anyone ever imagined could be done at Southeast Missouri State. Go to a school where you will be supported by your administration. I will be saddened, however, I don't see things improving until major changes take place starting at the top.

More baseball in St. Louis

BRING BACK the Browns. It is time for the idea to receive some attention. For those unfamiliar with the situation, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are not receiving much support from their community and are looking for a new home. It has been suggested that St. Louis could support another major league team. It would break my National League heart to see an American League team play in St. Louis, but the prices for Cardinals tickets are breaking my bank. I would like to go on the record as among the first sounding the cry to "bring back the Browns."

Stand behind B.J.

SOUTHEAST WOMEN'S coach B.J. Smith is doing a great job. We need to stand behind him.

Boo for free beer

THE SOUTHEAST athletic director has showed his true leadership by allowing free beer at Southeast baseball games. This provides a great example for our youth by getting them to come to games to see what they shouldn't do. Let's do the same at football and basketball games, and everyone can leave without knowing who we played, who is coaching or how badly we got beat.