Letters To The Editor

WSU football

Price does the right thing

Many of the WSU alumni (and I am one) have listened to coach Mike Price emphatically explain that his rules of conduct “are for real!” All of his athletes hear this constantly.

When one of his players, of any level of ability, blatantly breaks the rules and ends up in court and guilty as charged, can the coach say, “Maybe it does not apply this time.?”

I know Coach Price as well as any average Cougars supporter. Needless to say, I admire him for his ethics. If the bottom line in any family is broken, don’t we all suffer?

I have also seen Coach Price give athletes a great opportunity to be successful on the football field and in the academic setting. Such success has led many to fine lives of achievement and happiness. The percentage of WSU football players who earn a degree over a four- or five-year period is a tribute to Coach Price and Washington State University. Bob DeVleming Pullman

Tired of thugs at WSU

For the better part of 25 years, autumn and Cougars football were one in the same. I loved the season and the trips to Martin Stadium.

However, with the veritable parade of thieves, burglars, and sexual predators that Coach Price brings to the Palouse, not to mention the “athletes” who can’t score a minimum on the S.A.T., my interest has waned, at least for Cougars football. There are plenty of intelligent, socially acceptable athletes who can play D-1 football. Stanford is able to field a team of quality student-athletes, why can’t WSU?

Open your eyes, Mike, and raise your sights. Recruit men who will make WSU and all of us fans proud. Get yourself a team of bright young men who have a goal, not a police record.

Brains, work ethic, and a good 40 time will get you into a bowl game nearly every year. I get real tired of reading about the dark side of Cougars football. Look at it this way, Mike: A 4.3 isn’t all that fast if the field is the size of a jail cell. Rich Swanson Colbert

Price committed to players

Congratulations Allan LeTourneau on your brilliant letter concerning the disciplinary actions of some Cougars football players by head coach Mike Price.

Bad behavior used to be limited to professional sports, then it trickled down to college sports and is currently running rampant throughout the nation.

But that’s OK. Head-butt referees, steal, cheat and lie, and take a swing at your coach or maim someone while driving drunk. But hey, you’re a gifted athlete so we’ll just slap your hands lightly and send you on to college for bigger and better deeds.

You are absolutely right Mr. LeTourneau. WSU doesn’t need a Heisman winner who steals, who jeopardizes not only the future of his team, but his life as well.

I’m the mother of four sons, all of whom have attended college on athletic scholarships. Two of these young men currently play football for the Cougs. These young men were recruited by numerous schools yet what drew them to WSU was its coaching staff. Mike Price and his staff are committed to the athletes. His expectations for the team are very high, not just winning on the football field but winning in the classroom and their personal lives as well.

The whole team works hard on and off the football field, in and out of the classroom. The team spends countless hours with young children talking, signing autographs, etc. Mike Price’s Cougars are role models young children can look up to.

It’s always nice to win, Mr. LeTourneau. I personally went to the Rose Bowl, had a wonderful time and would love a repeat performance. I would hope our illustrious alumni and others keep those tremendous donations coming to a school and athletic program where honesty, integrity and ethics aren’t just words but a way of life. Linda Raymond Moses Lake

No sympathy if Cougs lose

Question: Which school will play the weakest non-league football schedule in 1999?

Is it Wisconsin playing Murray State, Ball State and Cincinnati?

Is it Kansas State playing Temple, Texas El Paso and Utah State?

Is it Minnesota playing Ohio University, Northeast Louisiana and Illinois State?

Or is it Washington State, playing Utah, Idaho, Southwestern Louisiana and Hawaii?

Since these schools have scheduled these opponents with the idea of picking up comparatively easy victories, it will be hard to work up much sympathy for them if they lose. Bob Kirlin Spokane

Other topics

NHL player shows class

I am writing this letter to share an experience our family had the other evening.

I have been involved with the game of hockey for about 30 years. My son Cody is 10 years old. He has been playing hockey for a couple years and we are both big fans of the game. One of my son’s favorite players is a local boy named Scott Parker. Scott played his junior hockey in thespot

WHL and is now with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League.

Anyway, Mr. Parker spends his off-season here in the Spokane area and had heard that he had a big fan in town. A few nights ago, Mr. Parker came over to our house to meet my son Cody. Talk about a thrill! This guy took time out to come over and spent a moment with a young fan. We had never met Scott prior to that evening. We asked some questions and joked around. He couldn’t stay too long, but he stayed long enough. My son will never forget his experience with a “real NHLer” in his very own house. I’ll never forget the look in my boy’s eyes.

I guess the reason I’m writing this is to say that not all professional athletes are insensitive to their fans. What Scott Parker did was a real classy move, and a big big deal for my son. It’s players like Scott that make fans like us stay in the game. Todd Watson Spokane

Galloway should honor deal

It is a shame that coaches cave in to the demands of spoiled athletes.

Joey Galloway is a very good football player; there is no doubt of it. There is one thing to remember, and that is that he did say he would play for the Seahawks for so many years for so many dollars.

I’ll bet if he hadn’t turned out to be as good a player as he is, he would not have allowed the Hawks to say “let’s renegotiate your contract, as you aren’t as good as we thought you would be.” Ed Weilep Spokane

We welcome letters of up to 300 words on all sports and outdoors topics. All letters are subject to editing. Writers are limited to one letter a month. Please include your signature, street address and telephone number where you can be reached for verification. Send to Letters to the Sports Editor, The SpokesmanReview, 999 W. Riverside, Spokane 99201, or fax to (509) 459-5098, or e-mail to sports@spokesman.com. S-R sports staff Sports editor: Jeff Jordan Assistant sports editors: Joe Palmquist, Gil Hulse Design editor: Geoff Pinnock Copy editors: David Oriard, Jim Price Outdoors editor: Rich Landers Columnist: John Blanchette Reporters: Steve Bergum, Chris Derrick, Hilary Kraus, Greg Lee, Janie McCauley, Jim Meehan, Carter Strickland, Dave Trimmer, Mike Vlahovich, Dan Weaver Stats desk: Kory Boatman, Brandon Loucks Contributors: Fenton Roskelley, Chuck Stewart, Jeff Finke, Paul Delaney.