FanSpeak 5/16/04

More to it

I WOULD like to understand the real reason coach Mike Kiehne resigned from coaching the Jackson varsity basketball team after such a successful season.

Let it go

IF COACH Kiehne was asked to resign, what were the reasons to ask for a resignation? The Jackson Board of Education should at least give the public the satisfaction of an answer. But then if everyone knew the real reason, it might not be good. So, let it go.

By any name, build a winner

IN REGARD to Southeast Missouri State University changing its nickname and adding a mascot, I hope they're able to get everything taken care very soon. This whole thing is a mess and it seems to be dividing our community. Some are for the change and others oppose it. Whatever happens, I just hope that no one will boycott the sporting events at our university. Our teams need the support now more than ever, especially with some of them going through a rebuilding process. It's no time for people to stay home because they're upset of a change in nicknames or mascots. Whether they change our nickname, just get it done now so we can all move on and concentrate on more important issues, like winning OVC championships.

A lack of class?

I READ that an assistant basketball coach at Southeast Missouri State took a job at another school for more money. To have the head coach and the resigning assistant coach both state that publicly shows a lack of class for the entire basketball program. Most people take "better jobs" for financial reasons. That is obvious. Maybe it is time to bring in a head coach who can turn around that program both image-wise and record-wise.

Hiring etiquette

THE HEAD boys basketball coaching position at Jackson should have been offered to the current junior varsity coach. When the opening became available, not only do they not offer it to him, they actually "recruit" a coach from another school.