Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Letters

Ex-Eagle stands behind women’s basketball coach

As a former player at EWU from 2006-2010 (and former assistant coach with the Eagles from 2012-14) I was shocked to see such a negative article written about Coach (Wendy) Schuller. I went to many games this season and saw a great team that had success and was having fun doing it. I find it appalling that when negativity is spread about the program an article shows up on front of the sports section. I understand you want people to read your work, but I believe you should think twice before you write an article about a PERSON that is not just a coach, but a hard-working mom and wife of three young children. She works hard for her team AND family.

When you write an article that makes her out to be a bad person, it affects her as a mom, her family, and her players that are sticking around because they LOVE playing for her. It is strange that you took the time to interview players who had a negative relationship with Coach Schuller, but you didn’t talk to current and former players who had positive experiences. She coaches the same now as she did when I played. I have nothing but positive memories during my time. Her coaching style is clearly working. She just needs the right kids to be a part of it. I am disappointed in what you chose to write an article on. Maybe the next time Coach Schuller and EWU have success, you should write an article about that.

Jessica Huntington

Tri-Cities

Brady sends wrong message

In response to: “Spokane fan raises funds to bail out Brady, Patriots” (May 13)

I am appalled that someone would go to the trouble of raising 1 million dollars to get Tom Brady and the Patriots off the hook. Under the name of Michael J. Whitman, he says he thinks the fine is excessive when I don’t think it’s enough. It’s just a slap on the wrist to men and organizations who make millions.

I believe it’s time to ask ourselves what is the meaning of sports and how can they serve our growing need for character in our heroes. Our young men and women look to these figures to ascertain for themselves what is possible and how it can be done. The message figures like Tom Brady are giving these young people is that winning by any means is all that’s important. What we need in our sports are figures like Roger Federer, the tennis champion, who demonstrates that one can win and win again, by demonstrating the qualities of a true gentleman, carrying a degree of humility while loving and being grateful to the sport which gave him the opportunity to shine. There aren’t enough like him.

Anya Lawrence

Elk, Washington

Patriots’ aid boggles mind

And I thought fans voting to increase their own taxes in order to pay for luxurious playpens for over-privileged owners and overpaid athletes was the height of sports-fan stupidity.

I see I was wrong.

Holding fundraisers to pay off the Patriots’ NFL penalties defies understanding. The NFL’s punishment was, if anything, too lenient. Brady should be banned from professional football and his titles and records stripped; the Patriots should be fined 100 million dollars and deprived of draft choices for 10 years, and their wins, including the Super Bowl, voided.

THEY CHEATED! And not for the first time.

The team’s cheating may have cost other teams wins which could have resulted in wins and millions of dollars in revenue for them, but, worse, it cheated fans, severely compromised the sport’s integrity, and they have not shown the tiniest bit of remorse.

What does that say about the character and values of the owner, players and staff of the Patriots? To me it says they are not worthy of anyone’s support.

Steve Blewett

Spokane

Letters policy

We welcome letters of up to 200 words on all sports and outdoors topics. All letters are subject to editing. Writers are limited to one letter every 30 days. Please include your signature, street address and telephone number where you can be reached for verification.

Send to: Letters to the Sports Editor, The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201, or fax to (509) 744-5655, or email to sports@spokesman.com.