FanSpeak

Players acting selfish

THOSE FOOTBALL players in Benton (Ill.), they ought to protest against the school board and the superintendent. They choose to protest against the paying end -- the teachers. They seem to care about only one thing: themselves. I think their parents ought to instill in them that they ought to be backing up the teachers, because the teachers have to make a living and keep up the standard of living. So be a little unselfish.

Stop corruption at root

ALL THIS hoopla over Baylor and Mizzou and supposed indiscretions and coaches getting away with it. This is nothing new. Commentators keep talking about the root of this -- the desire to win. The root of this starts way back in grade school, especially in high school. I teach in a high school setting, and coaches get away with things in the classroom and on the court and behind the scenes that the regular classroom teacher would never get away with. They cuss at students. They grab them and shake them. They threaten them. In this area we have coaches who have broken the rules and it's like this known secret. The sad thing is that parents and administrators let this go on because their desire to win and it just doesn't matter. Well, it needs to stop at the high school level now.

New recruiting approach

I'M READING the Aug. 16 paper, and here's an article about another SEMO basketball recruit who isn't eligible to play. After all the hoopla that he would be joining us, we find out after the school year begins that he didn't pass his classes this summer and he's going to go to a Division II school. Since Garner has been here this has been a recurring theme. I'm not talking about rumor and innuendo, I'm talking about facts that have been printed in the Southeast Missourian. Coach Garner needs to be recruiting students who can play, not students that think they might be able to play if they pass summer school.

Hold players accountable

THIS IS in defense of the manager of the Heartland Pride Select softball team. Obviously, many parents have a vendetta because of his high standards. I congratulate him on not joining in this debate. To his accusers: If team rules are broken by the players, then the players must be held accountable for their actions. Coaches must also take responsibility for the actions of the players. Accusations can be made by both sides in a debate.

Where is the schedule?

I WAS wondering if you all are going to have the Missouri football schedule in the paper coming up soon.

The schedule will appear in our preseason section Thursday.

Enforce the rules

I DON'T know why student athletes sign a citizenship form. It means nothing to most coaches. The players are out drinking and partying and they still make the team. Also, what's up with a player not having to try out and still make varsity?

Need to investigate

ANOTHER SEMO male athlete ineligible to play, according to the NCAA. Why don't our sports writers do an expose and find out how much scholarship money is wasted on these players? Doesn't the athletic staff know who will be eligible when they try to sign them? If they seem to have a possible problem, wouldn't it be wise to forget them and find a person who can actually play?

Special treatment

IT IS amazing that there are students going out for a high school sport that don't have to go through the tryouts. All the other girls are doing drills for three-plus hours for five days straight, and this person makes varsity by sitting on the bench.

What about the streak?

I CAN'T believe you didn't say anything in the article about ATPR regarding who beat Robbie Standridge in the race Saturday night to end his winning streak. There was much ado about his winning streak. After Daron Clayton did that on Saturday night, was nothing more to be said? Seems like this deserves a couple of lines at least in your article.

A list of the top 10 finishers from each division at the track is published each week.