Letters to the editor

Let’s say that I am an exceptional high school athlete and been offered a scholarship to a major conference (Pac-12). I realize what a great opportunity I have for my future. Millions of other people are wishing they had this opportunity. If I stay out of trouble and work hard, I have an opportunity to achieve in life. Future employers are likely to give me an edge in hiring for their appreciation of my achievements.

Now I have been invited to a party Saturday night. Trouble is: There is no closing time for these parties. Often, the guys who did not achieve the athletic status that we have believe they can demonstrate their machismo by dumping down beer and straight shots of hard liquor on a regular basis. This can go on until the early-morning hours and everybody becomes out of control. Many of these parties break out in violence and assaults.

Now I have a decision to make. I have heard of athletes who have had their careers derailed and face criminal charges, all because of one night that they were likely temporarily insane on alcohol or drugs. Others lose their edge with speed and reflexes on the field of play.

I think I’ll stick with the school-sponsored events for meeting girls and get my kicks winning with my teammates. They say that the euphoria of winning is one of the greatest thrills in life, and especially winning in life. There will be plenty of time for partying when I’ve achieved my goals in life. Those parties will be with mature adults without violence and insanity. It’s a sacrifice worthy of strong consideration.

Allan LeTourneau

Spokane

An imagined chat between King Bill Moos and Vice King Mike Leach:

Leach: Waaaa! How do these stupid cops and their flunkies think I can make my players tougher if they can’t practice it by roughing up the local populace.

Moos: Now, now, Leachy, I’m sure they’ll come around if we just keep twisting facts and throw in some whining … err, I meant winning.

Leach: Winning! Are you crazy? We’ll never win if we aren’t treated like gods instead of commoners. We should be able to do what we want, when we want and where we want. We play in Pullman, Washington, for crying out loud. They should all bow down to the whole team, or at least anybody who struts and lifts weights. Except me, of course. All I can do is strut.

Moos: Yes, Leachy, and you do that very important thing to a T. I’m positive that I can get you another big raise if you just keep up the verbal strutting and win even a couple of games this year.

Leach: That won’t happen if these idiot locals can’t take a licking or a robbing and keep their mouths shut.

Moos: (Heavy sigh) Well, let’s just hope we can strike fear into the whole bunch. Maybe then we’ll come out on top.

Leach: I certainly hope so (sniff, sniff). I might have to start sniveling if we aren’t put up on a pedestal.

Moos: Start? Oh, I see. No, the Vice King could NEVER be guilty of stooping to such a thing. Never, ever in a 2.75 million-dollar year.

Ken Carpenter

Moyie Springs, Idaho

Colfax, what a great town! Individual drivers will get a ticket for going a few miles over the speed limit, but the Whitman County Court will let WSU football players off the hook for assault, robbery and who knows what else.

Additionally, Mike Leach, his coaches and Bill Moos are people who should lead by setting and enforcing high standards. WSU and Whitman County courts really are not helping these young men who are beginning to think they get away with most any infraction of the law.

Leach should work with the Pullman police instead of undermining their actions

Tony Burke

Ritzville

I found interesting the article “Rout of weak: UW blasts Portland State, waits for challenge” (Sept. 18), written by Christian Caple of the Tacoma News Tribune and printed in The Spokesman-Review. Caple lamented the perceived lack of attendance at the first three home games played at Husky Stadium this month and that the Huskies’ opponents were less than top-tier competition. I believe Caple’s angst is misplaced on a couple of points.

Caple writes that “people aren’t paying attention to watch” the early-season beating such as the one UW applied to Portland State. Not true. Announced attendance was 57,151. Average announced attendance for the three games this month was more than 58,7000. Not too shabby, I think.

Cable writes that “nobody chooses to play for UW so they can face the kind of competition – or lack thereof – the Huskies saw in these first three weeks.” Again, not true. Every high school player knows top-tier programs schedule second-tier and nontraditional competition to begin the season and it’s part of the deal. It’s good for the Husky players to open the season against nonconference competition. In addition, it’s exciting and challenging for the players and coaching staffs from Portland State, Idaho and Rutgers to face the Huskies at Husky Stadium.

I think Caple needs to lighten up a bit. The Huskies’ nonconference schedule is over and I think it was a success by all measures.

Fred Antonius

Spokane

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