Letters to the Editor

Editor,

Ohio University administration's recent decision to fire men's basketball coach Larry Hunter sends mixed messages that we find extremely disturbing. My husband and I have watched our two sons participate in several of Hunter's summer basketball camps. We have watched him and his staff work diligently and professionally to teach young people a love for the game and, more importantly, what it takes to play with good sportsmanship.

Hunter's patience with, and dedication to, these young people each summer have made him quite a hero in our eyes.

Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers' coach, said in a recent interview he thinks one of the major problems in coaching is that players want to be individual stars, not team players. When Hunter had his players' names covered on their basketball jerseys this past season, he was sending his players an important message and teaching them one of life's crucial lessons. Playing as a team is more important than individual stardom.

We doubt they will ever forget the lessons they have learned from him, yet what must they think about it all now? From the time children first become acquainted with sports, the message parents and coaches relate is that winning is not everything; how one plays the game is of the utmost importance and academics should always come first. Hunter exemplifies all of the above and celebrated his 500th win this past season. No one knows better than he that winning is more than the numbers on a scoreboard.

Additionally, when our economy is slowing and tuition rates are rising, how can the university administration economically justify the decision not to let Hunter finish the last year of his contract? Next year's season looks so promising - why fire him now? The end of next year's season would have been the expected, economically smart, opportune time to reconsider what would be best for all involved.

Hunter will find a new coaching position quickly; his reputation speaks for itself. OU's loss will be another university's gain. A new man, promised a potentially huge compensation package, has been hired to coach Ohio basketball next season. None of this comes as any great surprise. What bothers us most about all of this is the reflection the decision to fire Hunter cast upon OU in terms of the mixed messages it sends. In today's society, universities need to be more mindful than ever about the messages they send. Our young people are listening.

Kathy and Dan Pittman
Athens, Ohio