Letters

Allen Iverson's cornrows may sell tickets, but Ray Allen's sweet jump shot and composure will one day bring Milwaukee a championship.
—KELLY ROSS, Westwood, Calif.

What Price Glory?
As a former high school athlete (before Nike, Adidas, et al.), I was appalled when I read A School For Scandal (Feb. 26), which reveals everything wrong with big-time, so-called amateur athletics in the U.S. Leaving the serious accusation of molestation aside, there is so much exploitation that one hardly knows whom to blame. A high schooler driving a $47,000 car? It's amazing how much major corporations, school officials, parents, etc., are willing to be participants in the process.
ROBERT L. LOWE, Chicago

We've known about greed and corruption in college programs. Now we learn they may be rampant at the high school level. The collusion of coaches, educators, parents and sports agents to profit and win at all costs is despicable.
JO SCHILS, Battle Creek, Mich.

I wonder if Nike or Adidas wouldn't serve Compton better by donating some paint and library books to the schools instead of plying the basketball programs with athletic gear.
CHUCK VIEBROCK, Novato, Calif.

When I finished your article, my immediate reaction was sympathy for John Doe and his family and disgust with the Dominguez High coach, the traveling team coach, the agents and others. Then I realized the actual culprits were the shoe companies, whose role as suppliers of product for potential endorsers makes them not unlike drug dealers preying on students.
AL CHECHIK, Bayfield, Wis.

Earnhardt Encomiums
Rick Reilly's article about Dale Earnhardt in the Feb. 26 issue sums up what NASCAR drivers and their fans are about (THE LIFE OF REILLY, Feb. 26). We accept the danger as part of the thrill. While the day of his death was a sad one for motor sports, one can imagine the Intimidator watching from above and thinking, Damn, that was some good racing.
DOUG SAMUT, Succasunna, N.J.

As a Jeff Gordon fan I did not like Earnhardt, but I did respect him as a driver and as a great man. We'll miss him.
ANTHONY TURNER, Fort Worth, Texas

From the cover to the Leading Off photos to Mark Bechtel's article and Rick Reilly's column, your coverage of Earnhardt's life and death was honorable and, for this fan, memorable.
CLIFF BROWNING, Montgomery, Ala.

Allen's Fan Club
Finally, Ray Allen is recognized for the outstanding basketball player and individual that he is. In this age of spoiled and pampered millionaire athletes, he's a breath of fresh air. Then again, this is something we UConn faithful have long known.
BOB GIACOMI, Waterbury, Conn.

That Time of Year
My first thought on seeing the cover of the swimsuit issue (Winter 2001) and the caption " Elsa Benitez Heats up Tunisia" was, Wow, she could heat up Antarctica! You did it again: picked a winner for the cover. She sure warmed up a cold Nashville day for me.
LARRY WRIGHT, Madison, Tenn.