Letters To The Editor

WORLD CUP OF FREESTYLE WRESTLING

Nice effort all around

USA Wrestling would like to thank the city of Spokane and the surrounding communities for their tremendous support of the Avista Corp. XXVII World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling, held at the Spokane Arena, April 2-3. As you may know, the event set an attendance record for all the World Cups that USA Wrestling has hosted, with more than 18,000 fans attending the two-day event.

Spokane has established itself as a hotbed for the sport of wrestling, based upon its support of this event, and its record-setting attendance at the 1996 Freestyle Olympic Team Trials, another wrestling competition held at the Arena.

I applaud the tremendous coverage The Spokesman-Review gave the tournament and the international activities surrounding the event. Your coverage was superb, before, during and after the competition. My hat’s off to sports editor Jeff Jordan and his entire staff. In addition, your news reporters did a great job covering the many cultural activities that an international sports event brings to the community.

It is especially appropriate to recognize your local leaders and sponsors who made the tournament possible. Star USA, led by Toby Steward and Barb Beddor, did a tremendous job in organizing and promoting the tournament. The many volunteers on the local organizing committee made sure that it was a world-class operation from start to finish. Avista Corp., as the presenting sponsor, and all of the other sponsors, provided the support needed for success.

USA Wrestling salutes Spokane, and looks forward to future wrestling activities there. Bruce Baumgartner, president, USA Wrestling Colorado Springs, Colo.

Event special for community

I want to thank you for the outstanding coverage The Spokesman-Review provided for the Avista Corp. World Cup of Wrestling. Your lead up to and coverage of the event was simply the best! The photographs and background stories completed this special event for our community.

I have attended sporting events throughout the United States and this was the greatest sporting event I have ever attended. Toby Steward and Barbra Beddor of Star USA and the Spokane community should be congratulated for bringing this world class event to Spokane and hosting the best World Cup of Wrestling of all times.

Saturday night was a special victory for the USA Wrestling Team and the Spokane community for a first class job of hosting this world event.

Thanks again for the great support. Dave Willis Spokane

Great wrestling coverage continues

Just a little note thanking you for the fine unbiased coverage of the World Cup. As a participant in many world and Olympic events over the years, I feel that your newspaper provided accurate, interesting articles about the cup. I hope I have the pleasure of being a part of future wrestling events in the Spokane area and that your newspaper provides its usual fine coverage. Thanks again.

P.S. I was the head official at the trials in 1996 and enjoyed your coverage then. Rick Tucci, FILA instructor Spokane

Can’t beat wrestling coverage

My wife and I have been involved with the sport of amateur wrestling at the kids’, high school, collegiate, and international levels for nearly four decades as volunteers.

Never in all of our years of participation as announcers for the sport have we seen media coverage to support my pet saying of wrestling being “the world’s oldest and greatest sport!” as we did in The Spokesman-Review.

Your coverage this past weekend of the Avista Corp. World Cup of Wrestling far exceeded any coverage we have seen in all of our years in wrestling … including that in the strongholds of wrestling - Iowa, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Even beyond Olympic and world championship coverage.

As you well know, this sport is a great teacher of life not only for the young athletes … but their families as well. Efforts, such as was exhibited by The Spokesman-Review this past weekend, will go a long way in letting people know of the real sport of wrestling, the true sport of wrestling, the dedication of the sport.

On behalf of many of us in the volunteer corps, thank you and your staff at The Spokesman-Review for your support and coverage. Shirley and Ed Aliverti Edmonds, Wash.

OTHER TOPICS

Just leave Chiefs alone

Now that the Spokane Chiefs season is over, I hope I’ve read the last article by staff writer Dan Weaver on hockey.

In an earlier article, The Spokesman-Review staff seemed amazed that WSU and UW played before 4,000 people in the arena while a few hours later, the Chiefs packed the arena, even though they were having a losing season.

My guess is the closest Dan has been to being an athlete was watching the Class B tournament in a bowling alley lounge. I’ve had the opportunity to read sports articles from other WHL cities and few if any match the The Spokesman-Review for lack of support, negativism and lack of content.

In his most recent attempt to write, he makes a statement about a “meaningless” game. I’m sure the young players, thankful for the ice time, the coaching staff already preparing for next year and the scouts watching the draft age players didn’t see this or any other game as meaningless.

So, Danny Boy, why don’t you just conjugate some verbs or undangle some participles and leave hockey to the thousands of fans who appreciate the hard work and effort of the entire Chiefs organization. Remember Go Chiefs Go! Dan, just go! Tom Pauley Spokane

GU coverage appreciated

On behalf of everyone at Gonzaga University, we want to thank you and your staff for the excellent coverage you provided the Bulldogs during our run to the Elite Eight.

We know the hours are long and the rewards sometimes few, but from the first tip in Santa Clara to the homecoming rally in Spokane everyone at The Spokesman-Review should be proud of the effort put forth in keeping the city consumed with the Bulldogs.

While the ride is over, the memories will live forever. Please know you are appreciated in helping preserve many of those memories. Mike Roth, A.D.; Dan Monson, head basketball coach Gonzaga University

Legion baseball healthy

Re: “Legion baseball program in jeopardy” from Todd Schutz (Letters, April 4).

American Legion baseball is not in jeopardy and is healthier than ever. In 1999, we will have over 45 teams with 700 players in our program and will play over 550 games.

Athletic Round Table has not withdrawn its support from American Legion Baseball, but like all the nonprofit gaming organizations in our area, their dollars to distribute to the community have been trimmed by the other “for profit ” gambling establishments in our area. They will continue supporting American Legion Baseball and their other endeavors as their revenues allow.

American Legion Baseball has never knowingly had a player in any league that could not afford to pay his fee cut from a team. American Legion Baseball and the community offer many different ways to help players who cannot afford the player fees. If a player or parent has a concern about the fee, please contact your coach for further information.

Anyone who has a question or a concern about American Legion Baseball can call us at 326-2889, and we will answer their questions concerning our program. Dennis Thompson Senior Commissioner, Spokane