Letters To The Editor

Sun., Feb. 6, 2000

Coaches should be held accountable

I know I am a prejudiced but proud grandfather, but we have watched our granddaughter, Tricia Lamb, play basketball through AAU, junior high, high school, Spokane Stars, NCAA Division I to making first team All-Pac 10 as a sophomore. We believe she has been an inspiration to all small-school athletes who set their goals high and realize they can be achieved.

A new coach arrives and rations out small minutes of playing time, a large amount of verbal abuse and ridicule and this accomplished and successful basketball player requests her release from the Washington State women’s program. We need the Will Hutchens, Ryan Floyds and Tricia Lambs at our local colleges.

What I am asking, is why can a coach do this and not be punished the same as the wrestler who head-butted the referee? Why are the athletes the only ones who pay? Dwayne Shahan Colfax

Punishment doesn’t seem consistent

So John Rocker is suspended until May 1 for expressing his “freedom of speech” as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

Meanwhile, Darryl Strawberry and Steve Howe, to name two, were allowed to stay in baseball despite repeated drug and other violations of the law. Also, remember Roberto Alomar, who got only a few days of suspension for spitting on an umpire? Some politicians and media people offend me every day with their remarks. Don’t get me wrong, I am no Rocker fan. I don’t like his arrogant display on the mound. I am quite sure the N.L. fans will be allowed to express their opinions when Rocker returns to action. Richard McCroskey Pullman

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Letters To The Editor

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