ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 2, 1996 TAG: 9611040117
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Jack Bogaczyk's column in your Oct.11 sports section is so typical of his Bill Brill training. How would he feel if his family was subjected to the same scrutiny he wants for Virginia Tech? When my children get in trouble I don't want the world to know. Just because Tech is a state institution and the kids get scholarships should not be a consideration. I pay dearly for my kids, too, but I don't feel I have to report all the bad things they do to you or anyone else. That's between me and the police. I especially wouldn't want it reported before charges are filed, a trial is held and a verdict is rendered. Just remember, the Tech kids have families, too, and they are entitled to privacy just as you are. Do you think you or the newspaper are so important that you should be notified when something bad happens?
I am enclosing an article about the Tech football players visiting the young and the elderly at Montgomery Regional Hospital during their off week and their visits to elementary schools at other times, but I noticed you did not feel the information was worth printing because it was good news.
I don't know where your degree is from, but you would be well-advised to take some courses or perhaps get a graduate degree from the Bob McLelland School of Journalism. There was a writer who knew how to write under the Golden Rule. You and [ex-sports editor] Bill Brill never knew this rule except possibly on your private rules.
BOB BOWMAN
Daleville
Franklin County lost a fine coach
Franklin County High School lost a fine coach, a highly motivated coach, a dedicated coach, a coach with great integrity, and a true friend and booster of those he coached, when head football coach Horace Green was abruptly fired from that position at the conclusion of the Franklin County-Pulaski County High School football game Oct.11.
Coach Green is not the first coach to be sacked by the Franklin County school authorities. In fact, as your newspaper pointed out in staff writer Bob Teitlebaum's article of Oct.15, he is merely the last of quite a few.
It has been interesting to note the news media accounts of this tragic development, by both the press and the local television stations. Not one word written, or spoken, has cast any criticism at Coach Green as a coach, a teacher, or anything but a credit to his profession. Why, then, was he so abruptly forced out?
We continually hear of all the new and innovative things going on in Franklin County. It is truly an up-and-coming area of our state. It has much to be proud of in its accomplishments.
Could it be that good parents and the school board of Franklin County need to look at something other than their head football coaches to determine what their problem is?
G. WILLIAM GEARHART
Roanoke
Northside fans desert football team
I would like to express my disappointment in the many Northside High School ``fans'' who deserted our football players this past Friday night as Northside played Salem High School, surely Northside's most important game of this season.
As I watched our players battling to hold onto the first-place spot that we had taken the previous week, I was ashamed to see our ``fans'' leaving the stadium. I'm sure it was to the delight of the Salem fans and players to see our side of the stadium become almost empty as the Salem fans stood their ground and suffered the cold to support their players.
Against my better judgment, my 16-year-old son played Friday night with a 102-degree temperature because he wanted to be there to support his team. Sadly, the Northside ``fans'' who left early need to learn that the saying, ``When the going gets tough, the tough get going'' doesn't mean that you get up and walk out when your team needs your support the most.
SUSAN WILKINSON
Roanoke
Roanoke fortunate to have hockey team
On Friday, Oct.18, my 6-year-old son and I were very fortunate to attend the home-opening game of the Roanoke Express Hockey Club. What a great time we had and the Express won 5-4! Everything about the Roanoke Express organization exhibits courtesy, dignity and professionalism. The Express personnel work very hard to assure a wholesome evening of exciting family entertainment at a reasonable price.
The Roanoke Valley is fortunate to have such a positive community resource. Whether one is a hockey fan or sports enthusiast is not important. Attendees will have a good time. We were glad that we drove the 215 miles to attend a game. We plan to do it again. I would recommend a game to anyone in the Roanoke area. It is well worth the effort to attend a game and support the team. Best wishes for the continued success of the Roanoke Express!
BARRY WASSER
Woodbridge
Another Division I scholarship player
Apparently, Cave Spring girls basketball coach Linda Long inadevertently forgot to mention that Ali Colgrove, who played for Cave Spring and graduated in 1991, also was awarded a scholarship to a Division I school, Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
She played in over 100 [college] games and graduated within four years. Ali was an important part of Cave Spring's dynasty for three years and on the all-state team as a senior. Obviously, coach Long's number of players going to Division I schools now numbers seven.
KAREN COLGROVE
Roanoke
Please write Mail letters to:
Sports Mailbag
P.O. Box 2491
Roanoke, Va. 24010
Letters should include signature, full address and, for verification only, phone number. All letters are edited. Letters of 200 words or less are given preference.
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