In defense of Harris

Dick Brauner wants Mark Few to resign (Letters, Dec. 13) because of Elias Harris’ flagrant foul?

Mr. Brauner, you must not be a parent. If you are, I hope your children are perfect, because no matter how much advice and wisdom you provide them to help them grow up to be responsible citizens, sometimes they make mistakes. If you have a child who partakes in underage drinking or gets in a fist fight, then, according to your way of thinking, you should resign as a parent. Since that can’t happen and you are responsible for your child’s act, you should go to jail. Are Tiger Woods’ mom and caddie partly responsible for Tiger’s actions?

Coaches try to prepare their athletes for many aspects of college life and for competition. Unfortunately, they can’t control every response to every challenge these athletes face. They teach kids to be tough, both mentally and physically, and this GU team is being touted as tougher than past teams.

So in the heat of the battle, Elias Harris blocked out too aggressively, but I understand it was a hasty, irrational reaction to taking an elbow to the chin only seconds before. It was one moment, an impulse, not a pattern of Elias Harris. It does not define him, Mark Few or Gonzaga basketball.

I believe Coach Few knows that Elias will learn from his mistake, believing that he is, and will be, a responsible young man in his bright, promising future.

Gonzaga men, keep playing hard. You and your coaching staff are a pleasure to watch.

Janet Skaife

Head women’s softball coach, Community Colleges of Spokane