Letters

I've had it up to here with your magazine's calling East Carolina a cream-puff football team. In 1983 East Carolina went 8-3, losing to three Florida teams—Miami, Florida State and Florida, which, respectively, were ranked 4, 5 and 6 when ECU played them—by a total of 13 points. At the end of the season, SI had ECU ranked 18th and everyone wondered why the Pirates didn't go to a bowl. How soon SI forgets.
DAVID ALEXANDER
Greenville, N.C.

Your insult to the Claremont-Mudd football team was not appreciated by its students. Obviously a Division III school cannot compete with teams looking for a bowl bid. It should also be noted that the week your article appeared, Claremont-Mudd won the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship with a record of 8-1.
R.J. PESTRITTO
Claremont, Calif.

UNBEARABLE?
I am a lifetime hater of the Chicago Bears, and Willie Gault has done nothing to convince me to make an exception in his case (Gault Is Divided Into Many Parts, Nov. 24). Thanks to Bruce Newman for giving us a look at this self-centered man. The Bears deserve him.
JOSEPH KOX
Adams, Wis.

As a high school wide receiver and track runner, I have always had tremendous respect for Gault's natural talent—his God-given speed. However, after reading your article, I have lost my respect for his attitude as a team player.

I have always believed that football is the ultimate team sport, and Gault is clearly not a team player. He wants to be the best receiver in the league, but he refuses to give fully of himself toward achieving that goal. Kudos to Jim McMahon and the rest of his teammates who see Willie for what he truly is, a selfish individual.
BRAD SAGE
Concord, Mass.

Not only are Gault's "perimeters really, really wide," so, it would appear, is his head, per se.
ERIC GANE
Tillson, N.Y.

I like Jim McMahon and I think he's a great quarterback, but it saddened me to read about his attitude toward Gault. I think Gault has a lot of courage.
CHRIS HUSKEY
Chattanooga

BIG WHEELS
I enjoyed your article on skateboarder Tony Hawk (Chairman Of The Board, Nov. 24).

Being a skater myself, I know how good he really is. I don't think people understand how hard some of his tricks are.
ANTHONY COPPOLA
Baltimore

Hooray! What an excellent piece. Armen Keteyian showed a side of skaters rarely seen. More, more, more!
CHRIS SAUNDERS
San Antonio