Letters

Miami doesn't need to get rid of football. It just needs to follow the rules.
KATIE JUDGE, HIGHLANDS RANCH, COLO.

Missive to Miami
Your open letter to the president of the University of Miami was a dose of reality for this 1959 alumnus (Broken Beyond Repair, June 12). We've paid too high a price and infected with warped values too many innocent young men. Despondently, I concur with your counsel to president Foote to discontinue football, at least temporarily.
N. JOHN GARCIA, Charlotte

Right on. As an alumnus of "Suntan U," I have both cheered Foote's initiatives to improve the university's academic reputation and watched in horror as the football team destroyed the school's fragile image. My oldest son graduates from high school this year, and the last thing I want is for him to follow my footsteps to Miami. And, yes, I'll start giving to my alma mater once the university has the courage to get rid of the football team and to try to become a first-rate school, rather than a training camp for pro football.
RICH FRIEDMAN, Putney, Vt.

As a member of the Miami football team, I see no reason to think coach Butch Davis won't run our program with honor and integrity. He should have an opportunity to do so.
DANIEL J. MITAN, Coral Gables, Fla.

You failed to mention that since Tulane reinstated basketball in 1989, following a point-shaving scandal, the school has gone to three NCAA tournaments and one NIT, and its coach, Perry Clark, won Coach of the Year honors in 1992. Before it dropped basketball, the school had never even been to an NCAA tournament—all of which proves that it's possible to do the right thing and still end up a winner.
LARRY JONES, Philadelphia

Had I been around and an alumnus of Chicago when Robert Hutchins disbanded the football program, I would have called for his resignation. If the president of the university can't control his own football program, then what other programs does he not have control over? Instead of calling for an end to the football program, call for a closer evaluation of the individual in charge.
R.C. GRABOWSKI, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Is SI willing to put its money where its mouth is and give up circulation and advertising revenue by refusing to publish any stories about Miami?
STEVEN M. LANDRY, Bel Air, Md.

I agree with you that problems exist with Miami's football team. However, dropping a program that generates enormous revenues and has had such success is a bit extreme. Give Butch Davis a chance to succeed.
JOHN R. SCHENA, Saugus, Mass.

What got into your head to suggest that Miami drop football? Let the team face sanctions from the NCAA just as others have in the past. I don't condone the misconduct; but I, like you, am not the NCAA.
THOMAS R. DE STELLA, Coral Gables, Fla.

Why single out Miami? It's no different from Oklahoma, Auburn or Texas A&M, where scandals came and went. Mr. Wolff, this isn't 1939. The whole college football scene is out of control.
BOB LADKA, Valencia, Calif.