Letters to the editor: Gonzaga, Nigel Williams-Goss should hold heads high

Williams-Goss sparked our hopes

To Nigel Williams-Goss:

At the end of the NCAA championship game, the television cameras showed coach Mark Few talking to you as the reality of the loss set in. We all know that you wanted the trophy, for yourself, your team and your school, perhaps more than anyone has ever wanted it before. Your emotion and disappointment were clear. I can’t imagine what it felt to be in your shoes at that moment. However, I hope that it was a passing moment, and wanted to take time from a couple of thousand miles away to explain why it should be.

I moved away from Spokane in the summer of 1999. During the years since, I have watched with pride as tiny Gonzaga, from my childhood home, took on the basketball world. There have been many ups and downs throughout those years, but no team has made fans believe the way that yours did. No one, for a single second, questions the heart and commitment of every player you shared the court with. Based on all reporting, the leadership of that team was you.

Throughout this basketball season, I watched as people around the world took notice of Gonzaga. They didn’t just talk about games won, shots made, or free-throw percentages. They noticed the high graduation rate of Gonzaga athletes. They saw that loyalty meant more to the coach than chasing money. They noticed that you, Nigel, are an All-American, not just on the court but also in the classroom. I listened as television commentators stated that, if you wanted to, you could become president of the United States one day.

In life, no matter how hard we work, we can’t always control which way the ball bounces. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time on the clock. Other times, the ref calls an inappropriate flagrant on Przemek Karnowski, giving him his fourth. During those moments and the pain of watching your dreams slip away, it is easy to be burdened with a feeling of loss. It can be normal to be left with questions of “what if” and doubt your own effort.

This is not a loss. With or without a trophy, this is a win for you, Gonzaga, Spokane and for those of us that love to see people overcome the odds. The Gonzaga team, through your leadership, gave people hope. You showed that having heart and dedication won’t always make you a winner … but it will get you noticed, and oftentimes, earn you a lot of love and respect along the way.

Hold your head high, young man. You have a very bright future and have earned a lot of fans that will continue cheering for your success.

Brady Beaver

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Title game revealed flaw in system

Like almost 100 percent of people from the Inland Northwest, I am indeed grateful to Gonzaga University.

Winning six straight games in neutral venues is a tall order that the Zags almost pulled off. Neutral venues are the beauty of March Madness, three dozen or so bowl games and the College World Series.

But the final game did pull back the curtain on the Achilles’ heel of college sports and their title-hog power conferences, so:

1. Name an ACC team that has never seen a Final Four.

2. Name a WCC team that has.

3. Name how many suddenly baby-blue-clad Wazzu diehards you tolerated rooting for the title-hog Tar Heels.

I rest my case.

Mike Reno

Post Falls