FanSpeak Sept26

Mixed message

I WOULD like to tell you about a flaw in your stats for the Jackson football team from the Sept. 18 article. You reported that Jason Meystedt had 42 receiving yards, but in the article it reported Joey Starke threw to Meystedt for a 43-yard pass. I'm just wondering how Meystedt lost a yard in his stats?

(Indeed, the reporter at the game recorded the pass play as 43 yards in his notes, but Jackson's official statistics recorded a 42-yard reception. We apologize for the confusion.)

Stephen, Steve or Steven?

THE SPELLING of Stephen Callanan's name is not Steven. I am ashamed for you that the simple fact could not be checked before the story was printed. Newspapers will not gain credibility with mistakes such as this.

(We regret any erroneous spelling on the Vianney quarterback, whose first name is listed as Steve in the Vianney roster and on the Vianney Web site as well as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.)

Covering Mario

THE CALLER shouldn't complain about former Jackson running back Mario Whitney on the sports page because he's one of the names that our family knows, and we don't follow a lot of football. My spouse and my sons go to a football game together occasionally. They might be more likely to go to a Southeast Missouri University game if Mario comes back. There is name recognition, and I think the person who called in just really shouldn't be critical just because their own kid's picture isn't on the front page or something.

Rams unimpressive

THIS PERTAINS to the St. Louis Rams' game Sept. 19 against Atlanta. I have never seen a team act more like they didn't care. They really need a new coach because he just can't figure out what the other team is doing. He can't make changes and win.

Dog days come late

IF THE St. Louis Cardinals think they're going to the World Series, they better think twice because their team is just down for some reason. I don't know why. The pitchers ain't pitching and the hitters ain't hitting. They need to do something. Everytime they come up for a clutch hit, they've got somebody who doesn't play every day and they can't score any runs.

Unhappy with admission fee

IT WAS a great surprise when Jackson softball played at Notre Dame and fans were charged $3 to get in. No other school charges for nontournament games. They also charged for children. These are supposed to be fun to watch, not fundraising events. I think all the teams around should boycott and not play at Notre Dame.

Immature coaches

I AM ashamed to see immature actions not on the part of students and fans but from volleyball coaches. I completely understand dedication and sacrifice, but to demean players who have to work through the summer and others who have the privilege to go on a family vacation does not seem fair. Dedication can be found in many ways, but responsibility to one's family and job is a quality that also needs to be praised and promoted.

It's called sacrifice

SO, SOME football players must work to support a car and therefore must take a pass on their summer conditioning. Perhaps the lesson of "sacrifice" is being lost. Save money, take a taxi and dump your car. Sometimes if you want to improve yourself, that is what is required. And don't blame the coaches. If sacrifice is too hard for you, pick something else that doesn't require practice and extra effort. It is obvious your opponents are making that extra effort.