Sports letters 3/30/03

Thanks for the coverage of state final-four games

To the editor

I would like to thank the Southeast Missourian for the coverage last weekend of the Delta Bobcats' participation in the Class 1 girls final four in Columbia. Although I feel the coverage during the regular season was sometimes sporadic, the coverage last weekend was excellent. Thank you for your coverage of local, small-school sports. This is what a local paper is all about.

However, our local television station did not even mention Delta in their Saturday or Sunday evening sports broadcasts. Is this because it was a girls game or small-school sports (which translates to small advertiser income), or were they unable to get this information from reading a newspaper or the Internet? This total lack of interest and coverage in local, small-schools sports by KFVS will not be forgotten.KENNETH COOK

Chaffee, Mo.

Ron Cook leaves behind legacy in girls basketball

To the editor:

When I learned of Ron Cook's retirement as head coach of the Jackson Indians, I felt mixed emotions.

I was happy the highly successful coach was going out a winner, but sad that one of the truly good guys in high school sports was hanging up the whistle. He always conducted himself with class both on and off the court. He was a fierce competitor who was driven to win but at the same time was compassionate to his players and opponents. I feel uniquely qualified to talk about him since I coached the Central Tigers for 10 years and was victimized many times by this talented coach.

Our teams engaged in some classic battles over the years, but no matter the outcome Ron would always shake your hand and congratulate you if you won and encourage you if you lost. He was always available and willing to help other coaches if asked. In 1989 when our Tigers were fortunate enough to win the district championship over his Indians, he graciously shared his scouting report on our sectional opponent. It was just one example of his tremendous class.

There is no doubt Ron is responsible for the strong interest and great quality of girls basketball in Southeast Missouri. He was one of the driving forces in the creation of the HealthSouth Holiday Classic girls basketball tournament held at the Show Me Center. I feel honored and fortunate to have coached against him during his career, and I hope to be there someday when he is inducted in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Congratulations on an outstanding career, and enjoy your retirement, Ron. You've earned it.MARK RUARK

Cape Girardeau

Editor's note:Mark Ruark was Central's girls basketball coach from 1985 to 1994 and from 2000 to 2001.

MSHSAA bill not the bad idea it's made out to be

To the editor:

I would like to respond to the letter from Fredericktown athletic director Kent Gibbs concerning HB631.

Mr. Gibbs wrote that he felt his comments were factual, but then in his letter he gave numerous distortions of what is in HB631. To see what is in the bill, look up HB631 at www.house.state.mo.us.

Fact: Regarding home-schooled students, the bill makes no mention of any changes to the MSHSAA citizenship, amateurism or maximum age eligibility requirements, and "credits allowed" is an irrelevant concept for home-schooled students.

Fact: Regarding academic requirements, both nonpublic and home-schooled students must meet academic requirements that were given in the bill.

Fact: Special education services are provided in Missouri only through age 20. The current MSHSAA eligibility standards allow 19-year-olds to compete. One additional year allowed IEP students is not as drastic a change Mr. Gibbs makes it sound. Additionally, the MSHSAA could be found in violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act if it does not conform to the changes in this bill.

Fact: The bill does not eliminate the transfer rule.

Fact: The bill states that "the commissioner of education shall have the authority to promulgate any rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this section." Other than promulgating rules to carry our specific items in this bill, no changes to the MSHSAA rule-making authority are made.

Mr. Gibbs did allude to the true issue concerning this bill: the power of the MSHSAA and member schools. He wanted to know what type of rationale a supporter would have for wanting this bill. That's easy to provide: Parents of nonpublic school students and home-schooled students pay property taxes to support their local schools, and their children should have the right to avail themselves of extracurricular activities at their local public school if they so choose.

There's nothing for other Missouri students to fear from having extracurricular activities contact with home-schooled and nonpublic school students. The ones fearful of change appear to be the MSHSAA, the athletic administrators and the coaches who don't want to give up any of their power.TOM ABELES

Benton, Mo.