Fan Speak Feb12

Conference champs

CONGRATULATIONS TO Central swimmers, divers and coaches for winning their conference meet Feb. 2.

No-call list

I WAS wondering why Jackson boys basketball didn't call its score in on the home loss to Farmington on Feb. 3. I like seeing schools call in their scores -- win or lose -- and even giving quotes just so people can read it the next day in the newspaper.

Bogan's opportunity

I ENJOYED your story on Will Bogan from Bell City in the Feb. 5 issue. I hope the young man does something with this opportunity.

(The story erroneously referred to Joe Bowling as Bogan's foster father. He is Bogan's legal guardian.)

More on B.J.'s contract

I AM not sure why people are so disgruntled that B.J. Smith has not yet received a contract extension as Southeast's women's basketball coach. First of all, it would be highly unusual for a coach to receive a new contract at this point in the season anyway. It would be prudent to see if coach Smith can bring home a championship before deciding on the terms of a new contract. All would agree he should, without question, receive a contract extension. But the university could fatten his new contract a bit if he accomplishes a championship season.

No more years

A FEW weeks ago, I would have agreed with columnist Marty Mishow's suggestion that Gary Garner probably deserves one more year as Southeast's men's basketball coach to take advantage of his apparently strong recruiting class. However, this season has gone from one of mediocrity to disaster. There is now simply too much negativism associated with the program. There needs to be an infusion of new hope and spirit that only a new coach could bring.

Coach/private investigator

I HEARD coach Gary Garner is pledging his full support for the Southeast men's basketball player who's been accused and charged with rape and assault, and I understand that. But then he said he has a lot of sources in Kansas and they don't believe the player did it. Is Garner saying he has more sources in Kansas than a prosecuting attorney? I would think the prosecuting attorney would make pretty darn sure of his facts before bringing charges. Garner has time to be an investigator? Doesn't he think his sources might be biased?

Student body missing

WHERE ARE the Southeast students, and why do they continue to stay home during basketball games?

Congrats to Redhawks

GREAT job to Southeast Missouri State track athlete Miles Smith. And congratulations to the women's basketball team for all their success. I am always impressed to see them running their three-mile run in the preseason as I go to work. It looks like it has paid off.

Wrestling with integrity

I WAS sad to read Jackson wrestling coach Steve Wachter's remarks in the Feb. 2 edition about the Jan. 31 meet at Farmington. Wachter's team lost on an improperly broken tie. By his own admission, Wachter agreed to the decision and failed to appeal that decision before the 30 minutes allowed by the rule book. Wachter says he intends to put it as a win in the scorebook. I've always known coach Wachter to be a man of integrity. This sends a message that a win and an undefeated season are more important than following the rules.

(Wachter was told by the Farmington coach, who realized he had used the wrong tiebreaker format, that Jackson could count the result as a victory.)

Legal experts

IN RESPONSE to Marty Mishow's comment that he doesn't understand why a case would be reopened with the Southeast basketball player after two years. Coach Gary Garner and athletic director Don Kaverman expressed similar sentiments. All of a sudden, these three men are legal experts. Pressing charges against someone two years later is not uncommon. A lot of cases aren't charged for serveral years, and family members get angry and restless thinking the officials aren't doing anything. But they have to wait unitl they have the airtight case and sometimes you cant get that right away. There are all kinds of circumstances.

New direction for men

I CANNOT believe Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman said the school does not renew people's contracts in the middle of the season regarding coach B.J. Smith but says something will be done regarding coach Gary Garner's contract, possibly before the season is over. Garner is a very nice person -- good as they come -- but no way is he a Division I basketball coach. Kaverman needs to tell Garner good-bye and needs to give Smith a contract extension. Southeast has made an excellent decision on the new football coach, has an excellent baseball coach and an excellent track coach. Kaverman needs to get a young, dynamic person from a major program.

Trouble at home

THOSE WHO talk about how bad things are with coach Quin Snyder and the Missouri Tigers need to turn their attention to their own hometown team because Southeast coach Gary Garner is no better. Southeast really needs to think about firing him. The Redhawks are terrible. They don't need to be a Division I team. They need to drop down to Division II.

(One important difference between Snyder and Garner: NCAA violations.)