Letters To The Editor
EWU fails its women
I am concerned about the Eastern Washington University athletic department’s commitment to gender equity. The only head positions in which EWU employs females are women’s basketball, women’s track and field, tennis, and the head athletic trainer.
Two women’s head coaching positions that were open this year (volleyball and soccer) were filled by men. In addition, the combined salaries of the people in the four positions listed above do not come close to equaling the combined total of the men’s basketball and football coaches. Three of the four make less money than some of the assistant football coaches!
This is NOT gender equality.
Also, why is state money that was received for gender equity being used to build a new football locker room? Wasn’t their existing locker room just improved two years ago? Why can’t new women’s locker rooms be added to the north end of the pavilion along the wall opposite of the equipment room? It seems like this would be more cost-effective and allow the gender equity money to be spent on the female sports like it was intended to be spent. Sherree Smith Cheney
Kudos for golf pro
Thank you Chris Wille (June 3 golf section) for the well-written feature article on Painted Hills teaching professional Patti Marquis. Her talent and irrepressible enthusiasm for this game do indeed make her a treasure.
Another thing that also makes her special is the positive influence she has had on so many junior golfers within our community. From the youngest student to the teenager, from those less sports-oriented to the gifted athlete, each can find its own level of success with Patti. With infinite patience, humor, and respect, she teaches not only about golf, but a little bit about life, too. As parents, we appreciate and thank her for her efforts and for her caring. Dean and Elizabeth Grafos Spokane
About letters
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. Send to Letters to the Sports Editor, The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside, Spokane 99201, or fax to (509) 459-5098, or e-mail to sports@spokesman.com.