FanSpeak

Poor start hurt attendance

I ALSO was disappointed with the attendance at Saturday's SEMO football game, but you have to consider the season as a whole: Fans got excited at the prospects of the team winning an OVC title and making the playoffs, and they showed their support early in the season with record-breaking crowds. And what happened? We were let down. If your team starts out 0-5, then yeah, a lot of fair-weather fans were going to fall off the bandwagon. Once that happens, it's hard to get them back in the fold. I think that's what happened.

SEMO sports good for Cape

I AM so tired of all the people complaining about SEMO athletics. Many of SEMO's major sports bring in revenue at hotels, restaurants and other establishments. In addition, what else is there to do in Cape besides go to the movies, which are nothing but crap; go out to eat and become more obese; or shop at a mall with stores that specifically target teens? Quite frankly, the only things that get me excited here in Cape are SEMO athletics, especially during the fall and winter. I probably wouldn't be here if it weren't for the great entertainment provided by SEMO sports, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Cape is a great community if you plan to retire, live a sedentary lifestyle or teach your children how to fear God, but it offers very few perks for those of us trying to enjoy a socially active lifestyle.

Way to go, Tigers

TO THE Central soccer team: You guys are great, and the town of Cape is proud of you. You played a great game against the eventual state champs. The only problem was that the coach forced the players to leave as soon as their game was over instead of allowing them to watch the following game with their families. Many of the other parents were angry about that.

More local talent

I THINK the reason Southeast doesn't get a huge local following for football is its policy on recruiting local kids. Two of the top linemen in the state in 2002 were not even offered any kind of scholarship help at SEMO. One ended up at SIU, and one is at Rolla. I really believe both could have helped SEMO, but they just don't recruit in the Bootheel. So I think besides a better win-loss record, they need to do a little better in public relations.

As far as we know, Southeast doesn't have a specific policy on recruiting local athletes. Most college programs try to get the best athletes possible, regardless of where they are from. Southeast football had six starters from area high schools this year and two -- tight end Ray Goodson from Jackson, the team's leading receiver, and kicker Derek Kutz from St. Vincent -- were first team all-conference. And the squad's leading tackler, linebacker O.J. Turner, is from Central.

Great season questioned

DID SEMO's football team really have that great of a season? Sure, they could have won a weak and balanced OVC with one more win, but they also would have finished sixth if they had just one more loss.

Where's the other editions?

NOW THAT the Central soccer team has finished fourth, will the Southeast Missourian change the name of the commemorative magazine to "Almost Purrrrrfect?" Bell City's volleyball team won a state championship, the Notre Dame volleyball team finished fourth with no regular-season losses, and last year's Notre Dame boys team won a state championship, but no commemorative editions were made for them.

Attendance was right on

CONSIDERING THE Southeast football team finished with a record below .500, I'm surprised so many people showed up for Saturday's game. I love football, but when a team has such a mediocre season, and all season long the TV station has been talking about how SIU is so awesome just 45 minutes away, it's hard to get excited for a game between SEMO and Jacksonville State, no matter how historic it might turn out to be.

Pro ball in Cape?

I SEE where Southern Illinois is looking to get a professional baseball team. How come Cape Girardeau can't do that? We're a big enough town. It would create three things: jobs, tourism and revenue. Those are three things Cape desperately needs.

The reason is clear

WOW, THE SEMO basketball team beat a Division II school in Kentucky Christian. I can see why Dobbins and Kaverman did not want to make any cuts to basketball: Beating such a quality, high-profile school like this really brings in a lot of new students.