FanSpeak 1/2/05

Wins equal fans

NO OFFENSE to the sports marketing department at Southeast Missouri State University, but none of their brilliant ideas will work as much as winning. Unfortunately, the men's basketball team hasn't been much to market again this year, so don't expect much more than about 3,000 fans per game along with the same dull atmosphere they've had for the last three years.

If only. ...

IT'S FUNNY that the men's basketball coach at Illinois, Bruce Weber, was passed up by Southeast Missouri State when the school was looking for a new coach. Southeast hired Gary Garner instead, and Weber went to SIU and built a national powerhouse. Weber now is with the best team in the nation.

Looking for answers

WHAT HAS happened to the Chaffee High School sports program? Chaffee at one time was a powerhouse in football and baseball and was respected by surrounding schools. The past few years have been downright embarrassing. Come on, Chaffee. Rebuild the programs and become powerful and respected again. You can do it.

Officials deserve recognition

YOUR COVERAGE has been great on the teams in the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. However, how about a story on the officials? While not the most popular group involved in the tournament, they work very hard and I think would be an interesting read.

(The tournament program listed the officials as Scott Amick, Rick Dohogne, Jon Jones, Tim Harmon, Tim Heuring, Kerry Lasters, Danny Manning, Ron Oller, Jim Pinkston and Jay Pyles.)

Televise the tourney

AS AN avid fan of the annual Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament, I have not missed but a day or two in the last four or five years. However, this year, work required me to miss two days. With all of the notoriety this tournament receives every year, why not have it televised or at least have every game broadcast on one or more FM radio stations. I believe, as a spectator, that people in the area would also enjoy this if they too are unable to attend every day.

Point taken

I'M APPALLED to read the story, "The best of local sports." No. 4: the death of a Jackson basketball player. How is this a good thing?

(Agreed. The wording was not appropriate for the listing, which actually was the most important and impactful stories related to Southeast Missouri sports in 2004. The tragedy had an impact on Jackson's athletics program as well as the entire community.)

Where's the volleyball?

IN THE Dec. 30 Southeast Missourian with the 2004 Year in Review of local sports, I was very disappointed to see that all Southeast sports were mentioned except volleyball. Southeast football was in there among "the best" of 2004. How about Jessica Koeper, who went to Jackson High School and was named second team all-Ohio Valley Conference? Not only her, but at least mention something about the volleyball team.

(Again, the wording "best of local sports" may not apply to Southeast football, but the team's 3-8 record is something to mark, as thousands of fans attend the games, and the program incurs the greatest expense of any of the university's athletic programs. The volleyball team finished 11-17, but was not the only Southeast team not mentioned in the listing. The women's cross country was third in the OVC, the men were sixth; the men's track team finished second in the OVC outdoor meet; men's golf was 11th in the conference; women's softball finished 16-36; women's soccer finished 11-6-2; and women's tennis finished 1-21.)

You forgot Youse

HOW COULD the Southeast Missourian forget to include Megan Youse in "the best of local sports"? She was the top female track athlete from Southeast Missouri State right behind Heather Jenkins.

(Youse finished in the top three in the discus and shot put at the OVC meet, behind Jenkins.)

Bring on the praise

I THINK it is time the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team receives some praise. Their season has started out slow, but I know I wasn't the only fan impressed to see them stomp St. Louis University.