FanSpeak 3/2/03

Cut the bickering

IT'S TOO bad a small school like Scott County Central can't appreciate a good basketball coach like Melvin Porter. Petty bickering between grown adults shouldn't get in the way of the education process.

A $1,000 mistake

THIS IS Josh Clinard, the kid who won $1,000 at the seMissourian Christmas Tournament. I just thought that I would let you know that your article back in December had an error in it. I am from Hillsboro, Ill., not Murphysboro, Ill. I would really appreciate it if you could clear that up for me. Thank you very much.

Consider it done.

Thanks for the addition

I'M GLAD to see your new outdoors column by "Horntagger." I visit his Web site on a regular basis to see what other outdoorsmen are talking about. It's nice of the Southeast Missourian to give the outdoorsmen of the area a forum. Without revenue generated by hunters, the conservation efforts in Missouri wouldn't be half of what they are. Thanks for realizing there are other sports besides baseball, basketball and football.

Unequal standards

IN YOUR article about halftime behaviors, I loved reading about how coaches throw their crutch or use language they wouldn't want their pastor to hear. As a classroom teacher, it appalls me when I hear that coaches are using profanity and things like that in the locker room. If a teacher used it in the classroom, they would be fired or at least disciplined strongly. A coach is still a teacher first. This is a double standard. What do your think kids learn from this? They learn that if you're in sports, your behavior is allowed to be different.

The record speaks

GARY GARNER'S career and OVC standings: first year, fifth place. Second year, second place. Third year, tied for first. Fourth year, fifth place. Fifth year, eighth place. Sixth year, currently eighth place. Doesn't look too impressive.

Teach them correctly

OUR FAMILY really enjoyed the article on parents and sports and remembering how to be a good role model. There's one point that also needs to be raised. Parents need to teach kids the proper attitude toward coaches. Some kids seem to always blame someone else for their errors, and their parents encourage that. In fact, the parents taught it to them.

Congratulations, Cody

I WANTED to call regarding sophomore Jackson wrestler Cody Rouse. I taught him when he was in eighth grade. He was a great kid, respectful of others -- just a nice kid with a supportive family who backed education and backed what was important. It seems that Cody takes that work ethic in class and in wrestling. Congratulations, Cody. We're really proud of you.

Watch your words

TO THE coach of the boys basketball team at Dexter: The comment made about home-court advantage was unnecessary. It just seems that he is making excuses for the loss.

Good sports speak up

WELL SAID, Jamie Hall. It is responsible journalism to refuse to print libelous statements and pointless personal attacks. But I'd like to challenge FanSpeak to an even higher road: Refuse to print blanket criticism of any team's fan behavior. Losing teams' fans routinely get revenge for their team's loss by publicly criticizing the winning team's fans in FanSpeak, no matter how sportsmanlike their behavior actually was. Haven't you noticed this trend?

Charleston who?

THERE ARE other towns in the area besides Cape Girardeau. Did you people realize that Charleston's boys basketball team has beaten the mess out of every team in Missouri this year?

Yes, we heard.

Porter deserves better

MELVIN PORTER deserves better than the childish treatment he's received from the Scott County Central administration. I personally know of a couple of openings in area boys basketball next season if he's interested in moving up.

No TV coverage

ON FEB. 21 the Southeast Missouri State baseball team traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for a rematch against the Crimson Tide. The Indians won on an inside-the-park home run. But did KFVS comment once on the game? No. KFVS snubs Southeast baseball. People in this community care about local baseball and the program that coaches Hogan, Tyson, Southard and Horton have.