Letters To The Editor

Let’s back Seahawks

It’s a painful subject that I’m almost too passionate to talk about. And apparently all too many of the fair-weather fans that wore No. 12 have some related problem as well.

I mean, where are they all? Has it really been just 10 years ago that not only did the Kingdome rock with a quake and a roar that would intimidate the very best opposition that came to our state? But this wave of Seahawks frenzy did not ebb until it at least reached Alaska.

Did you ever go see them practice at Eastern in Cheney? There will never be a chance like that again, right? Wrong! Imagine … a chance to quip with the Tez (Cortez Kennedy). Or be on the sidelines while John Friez bunches one to our pal Joey Galloway. Plus, there’s probably a youngster in your life that would be positively influenced upon meeting some of these players.

Let’s see, we have a very wealthy, community-oriented friend in Paul Allen. He is willing to put up big bucks and set this franchise back on course. But this was requested of him, and he and legislators need to hear our support. Please, give them a call. It’s free. And please, forlorn fans, give our team another look and another chance. It will be good.

Call 1-888-PRO-HAWK and 1-800-562-6000 legislative hotline. Mike Hart Elk, Wash.

Don’t ignore the rest

In following your coverage of the ‘96-97 season of high school girls gymnastics, it was obvious that U-Hi was the only team worth writing about.

Now, with your ‘U-Hi Retains Balance’ article from February 6, 1997, it appears that unless you are on U-Hi’s team, regardless of your ability, talent or achievements, you simply don’t exist. The article emphasizes Coleen Pierce, being the hero for her 9.3 floor exercise that allowed U-Hi to ‘squeak by’ CV by .15 points.

Nowhere was it mentioned that, at that particular meet, another student from CV, Lindsay Linerud took the all-around, beating all of U-Hi’s team, including Pierce. All this glory and prestige for someone who competed twice but has never even placed in a state competition. Lindsay placed two years in a row, beginning when she was only a freshman, and is not even so much as mentioned in this article.

Headlining articles, throughout the past year, I guess she should consider herself lucky to have been noted. I’m sure that there are many other students who would have appreciated some morsel or scrap of recognition that U-Hi or The Spokesman-Review might have been able to throw their way. I guess a person needs to transfer to U-Hi before all their hard work, determination and achievements will ever be appreciated. It seems to be the only way to get some recognition. H. Gardner Spokane

Where’s the logic?

Somebody please help me, I am dumbfounded. I prize myself in using logic very well, but I must be off base here.

Last year, in the first year of the Arena’s operation, there were many Chiefs hockey games sold out days in advance. Several concerts were sold out within hours. I made a brash statement at the time, that I’ll bet those extra 2,000 seats would be installed by the start of this hockey season. Especially with the WHL All-Star game that was coming and the pending bid for the Memorial Cup.

I understand the Arena has been a financial success in its first year of operation. Wouldn’t it be a greater success with 2,000 more tickets sold to numerous events?

I’ll admit that I never learned the new math and I’m not a financial expert, so there must be a very good reason for not making too much return on the taxpayers investment. Perhaps there would be a danger that these public facilities would turn a profit, like Paul Allen’s Rose Garden in Portland, and the bureaucrats wouldn’t have to come begging us taxpayers for millions of dollars to finance new arenas. Allan Le Tourneau Spokane

Mack seems selfish

Despite all the talk of lack of passion and making the right decisions, the end of Tavares Mack’s basketball career is a hard one to figure.

I, too, was once in doubt about my place on a high school basketball team as an 18-year old senior. Ten years later, I’m glad I stuck it out.

Despite reduced minutes and a lesser role than I was used to, I received a chance to play in the State B tournament. Most players who laced up the sneakers don’t get that chance.

Don’t get me wrong, Tavares is a fine young man, but this lack of focus seems a bit selfish.

Sure, his best friend transferred and maybe he wasn’t the star he was predicted to be, but he had the chance to be a leader on a young Pac-10 team that is only a few off-court distractions away from being a top-five Pac-10 team, instead of battling to stay out of the cellar.

Besides Tavares, the one who suffers the most from these decisions is Isaac Fontaine. Fontaine is on the brink of stardom and has more than a legitimate chance at a spot on an NBA roster. Isaac has made a tough shot, dished the sweet pass, and patted the younger players in the back when it was needed the most in the clutch.

He played two tough games against Oregon and Idaho on an ankle that most players wouldn’t even have practiced on. The chips are down for the Cougs, but Ike wouldn’t think of giving up. All this seems to be overshadowed by all the distractions though.

For young men and women that are in this situation that I was in 10 years ago, there’s a lesson in this. Learn from Ike. Don’t give up. Give 100 percent, and no matter the final score, you’ve had fun and have earned the respect of your peers and fans.

If you find yourself in his shoes, don’t give up the chance to be the supportive leader - the chance that Tavares Mack didn’t make. Sean Lewis Colfax