UT players are excellent sportsmen

3/25/2006

University of Toledo's Stan Joplin has rightfully been credited with an exceptional coaching job this past season. His players excelled on the court and in the classroom. However, there is another equally important area in which Coach Joplin's players shined and that is sportsmanship.

I attended about half of UT's game this season and never saw even one incident of poor sportsmanship.

Quite to the contrary, there were many occasions when a UT player received a hard foul or was knocked to the floor, and each time the player merely got up and went about his business without a hint of retaliation.

I even saw Tino Valencia get up and pat an opponent on the head after that player had knocked Tino to the ground.

On the flip side, there were many occasions when an opposing player received a hard foul and looked as though he wanted to retaliate, only to have the potential confrontation diffused by the UT player offering him a handshake.

So add one more credit to Coach Joplin's list of accomplishments.

His players are excellent sportsmen, which just might be the best compliment a coach can receive.

Michael S. Scalzo

Tejon Road

I know many in the community who do not support Eugene Sanders remaining as superintendent. His resignation was accepted by the previous board. He has continually applied for positions elsewhere. It is important that he follow his professional goals and find the right fit. We support him in his job search effort.

In contrast to the mayor touting the school system's achievements under Mr. Sanders, such as the rules game of continuous improvement, look at 16 schools in academic emergency with 15 of those more than 90 percent African-American. Toledo's public schools are being ignored by this simplistic call for the same old, same old.

We are aware that Mayor Carty Finkbeiner is passionate about Toledo and praise him for this.

It is not about individuals, careers, and salary levels.

It is about Toledo's future work force.

The TPS board should move forward with a search for a new superintendent who will openly and honestly address an emergency community action plan to truly respond to the multidiscipline needs of our children.

Robert Brundage

Maplewood Avenue

To finance the Iraq war, the United States sells bonds to foreigners. The $200 billion cost, divided by 27 million Iraqis, comes to about $7,400 per person.

Our loss in blood and treasure is mind-boggling. There seems no end to this fiasco.

LEO KESSMAR

Northwood