Letters: Rockets, UT made it a special season

4/3/2011

It is thrilling to see the UT women's Basketball team advance in the WNIT. For many, enthusiasm for this team of fine athletes began with a brilliant marketing idea. When season tickets were offered to the general public for $55, which included free parking and additional perks, we were able to take advantage of a chance to cheer on the Rockets. In this time of economic uncertainty, our family's entertainment budget is quite meager. Through the very long, snowy winter we sure got our money's worth. Thanks to players, the coach, and the UT community for giving us such good times.

ELIZABETH LITLE TUOHY
Toledo

• As a Syracuse University graduate I was happy to see the Lady Orange come into Toledo to play the Rockets. However, I had mixed loyalty. As a member of the Toledo Jewish community I had to root for the Rockets' star from Israel. So I hoped for a good game and that is what I got. My congratulations to the Orange for a well played first half and to the Rockets for a great ending.

STEVE FRIED
Toledo

• On behalf of the community I wish to thank the University of Toledo for their foresight and spirit in hosting the Rockets in the WNIT. As fans we get to enjoy and to share in the thrill of victory of our women's basketball team. These talented and unassuming young women are making the most of their opportunity they were afforded to play their very best and with heart against some of our nation's outstanding basketball programs.

The Rocket team and coach Tricia Cullop are now taking Toledo to the national stage.

Congratulations and thanks for giving your all! We are very proud of you and your accomplishments.

What a gift to the community and an investment in Toledo! Thanks, UT. Go Rockets!

CAROL PACK
Sylvania Township

• I searched the internet to find the score of the Rockets' WNIT game against Auburn right after the game.

None of our TV stations even recognized that the game was being played. Kudos to the Blade. They had it, as did the University of Auburn, but not the University of Toledo. Great coverage people.

DICK LAUMANN
Toledo


Can spoiled athletes ever have enough?
What is so hard with splitting $9 billion? Has greed replaced common sense, if these idiots had any? God forbid Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Peyton Manning have to get real jobs, and the Jerry Joneses and the other greedy owners might have to shop at Wal-Mart in their $500 suits. Both sides have had months to resolve this matter but continued posturing until the 11th hour.

As in most labor disputes, there are winners and losers. The losers are the fans that pay inflated ticket prices to watch their heroes every Sunday.

Can you imagine not having our weekly "fix" of football. Perish the thought. It's un-American.

And the winners are the lawyers that charge by the hour, and this may take a while before a settlement is reached. This whole mess leaves me with one thought: How much more money does a millionaire need?

FRED COHEN
Sylvania


You should have talked, Tressel
In life, we don't know if and when to talk or not for silence to be golden.

Silence certainly turned out not to be golden in the very sad soap opera of Ohio State football Coach Jim Tressel.

JIM MUHN
Maumee


Coverage of NCAA wrestling was missing
I returned from Philadelphia recently after watching 330 of our nation's most talented athletes compete for championship positions in 10 weight classes at a thrilling 2011 NCAA wrestling tournament.

A number of Toledo and Ohio-raised wrestlers were in that mix. News of the event was all over numerous national TV stations, ESPN, and many regional newspapers. Unfortunately, I could not find one word about it printed in The Blade.

DAN SCHAEFER
Maumee


Sharp family made a big difference
I would not like to bash the BGSU administration that has single-handedly brought down an entire support group — Joe Sharp's Boys and the Sharpie Shootout.

In 1987, I was a walk-on sudent-athlete at BGSU. The first person I met was Bob Rueblin, and the second was Glen Sharp, followed by Joe Sharp. Walk-ons were not considered of much value, but the Sharps treated me as one of their own. I cannot begin to tell you the impact the Sharp family has had on my personal life. Mr. Sharp's life lessons with a tooth pick in his mouth and telling it like it is still remains vivid to me, and Joe just being there in times of need said everything to me. I was not the most academic, athletic guy on the team. But the Sharp family helped me overcome life obstacles that have made me a better person today. My BG experience has been memorable to say the least — earning a full scholarship as a walk-on, 1990 team captain, 1991 team captain, 1991 MAC champion, and 1991 California Raisin Bowl champion. As many others, I would not trade a single day.

Joe Sharp is one of the greatest men I have ever been associated with and truly would not trade one day that we shared. If there is anything I can do for him I will without hesitation. You don't get many opportunities in life to meet people that have such a great impact in your life as the Sharp family has in mine.

BRIAN SHERMAN
Westerville, Ohio