Fan Speak April9

Running is good for you

PEOPLE OF many shapes run or walk in local running events sponsored by the Cape Road Runners. Many look like typical Americans. But if a person runs or walks 1,000 miles for several years, their bodies undergo a physiological change. They quit looking like typical Americans and start looking like typical runners. They have thin arms, necks and legs. This crowd doesn't have any double chins, and they are always alert. They are ready for the start, and they will finish the race with grace.

Advice for young coaches

HERE IS some advice for new coaches. Work equally with all the players, and treat them with respect. Don't favor one player to the detriment of the others. Do not take too personal of an interest in a female student or female player. You may be lucky enough to be hired by a school district that turns a blind eye, or you may be hired by one that expects professional conduct at all times, and you could lose your job.

All-Southeast Missourian

I THINK the selection of any all-star team should include players from teams throughout the entire geographical area regarded as Southeast Missouri. It seems odd that the team selected was from such a limited area. KFVS has no problem covering Illinois and Kentucky, so I would think that a little consideration of players from a wider area would have been appropriate. I can think of many logical choices from Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Charleston, New Madrid County Central, Malden, Dexter, Caruthersville, Hayti, Portageville, Perryville, Fredericktown and several other schools. After all, how can you justify doing a feature on Michael Lance of Twin Rivers and not place him on the team?

(The feature on Lance must have been published in one of our media partners, which cover many of the schools mentioned above. Of that group, only Perryville is in the Southeast Missourian coverage area.)

No coaches locked up

BASKETBALL SIGNING day is Wednesday. There is no coach in place for either the Southeast Missouri State men's or women's basketball teams. All three of the men's finalists were available to interview more than two weeks ago. Recruiting could greatly suffer because of this, and the bottom line is recruiting has been the main reason for the women's success and the men's downfall. This is a no-brainer and the administrators in charge of allowing this to happen should be fired immediately.

Consistent spelling

IN THE Jackson baseball score from April 1, Geoff Enders is included in the story, but in the box score, his name is mispelled Goeff. Try to stay consistent with your spelling.

(Thanks for calling our attention to it. We regret the misspelling.)

A vote for Barnes

THE LOGICAL choice for the Southeast Missouri men's basketball job is Rod Barnes. He is a proven winner in the Southeastern Conference and will bring an exciting style of pressure defense and up-tempo basketball that Southeast Missouri will embrace.