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Show Nov. 9, 1976 Signpost Page 7 What do you think? Sports versus Academics by John Watts With the recent resignation of Dick Gwinn and Dale Gardner, much discussion has taken place concerning the sports program at WSC. With this topic being of such common concern, several statements and opinions of the studentbody will be presented in attempt' to understand how the students feel about the sports program versus the academic program. King Merendino, a senior majoring in History, has a deep conviction for the improvement of the academic facilities at WSC. "I fail to see the relevance of varsity sports when all they do is utilize free living expenses and seldom win games. I feel the players definitely try hard to win but they always lose. This reflects a problem with the sports program itself." "Intramurals should be expanded over the varsity sports so everyone who wants a chance to participate may do so, not just the elite." "Weber terminated the baseball program a few years ago without serious repercussions, so why not the football, golf, or tennis teams also." Merendino made a point of emphasizing the fact that some sports bring in money from the alumni in the community, "but with all of the recent resignations in the athletic department there must be something wrong or not worth while in the program," stated Merendino. Ron Guertin, also a senior, expressed similar views but for different reasons. "The school should channel more of the available money toward a graduate school program." "Even better housing facilities would be beneficial, especially for married students," said Guertin. "This should possibly be the area of greatest concentration because Weber no longer has on-campus housing for married students like they used to." Mary Woodhead, the former editor of the Signpost, stated, "If they are going to have a sports program they should cut down on the number and concentrate on just a few important ones. In this way they could direct more money toward further faculty research opportunities, higher salaries, and updated books for the library." "Improving the academics of the college should be the number one priority," declared Woodhead. "However, if there is to be a sports program then the expenses will obviously be justified." Doug Allen, a football player and follower, displayed a different point of view. "I think there should be more money put into the sports program." "Academic acknowledgement is important but sports has to be high on the priority list to acquire and keep a winning team. Better recruits could be obtained if the players had better facilities provided for them such as weight lifting equipment, better housing and scholarships." Jeff Gale, a senior majoring in Political Science thinks that, "they should pump all the money they can into athletics." "Maybe even try to get into a larger conference because money flows to big athletic winners." - "Besides," says Gale, "it's easier to gain a reputation in sports rather than the academic area." With many of the comments expressing concern about the community, a WSC graduate of Automotive Engineering was contacted for his viewpoints. "Athletic events are needed at any college. It provides a common unity for the people in and around the school. History departments, Political Science departments, and Technology departments, all provide small groups for association. However, a school team of some kind creates a cohesive common backing and good reason for supporting the school." Well, that's the way it appears to these people, how about you? Where should the money go? As I see it by Dorothea Masur There can be little question that Art Linkletter is known to us all. Also little argument could persuade us .against a deep sympathy over the death of his daughter due to drugs. If his fight against LSD is effective, we much admire him as we do those who battle cancer ordrinking-and-driving. But is anyone of these a raison d'etre to invite Art Linkletter as graduation speaker? It seems to me an earlier approach by the entire commencement committee would eliminate most refusals by preferred speakers and it is my understanding that Dr. Harold Wiese is already meeting with his committee. I had previously been briefly acquainted with Mr. Linkletter and consider him an excellent personality and good entertainer. 'However, as commencement speaker John Wayne or Robert Redford, who also speak on a variety of serious topics, could as easily fill those qualifications. It is, AS I SEE IT, more in keeping with the occasion to provide the graduates with a man of considerable intellectual status and achievement. There are all sorts of occasions during the year for an educated entertainer. For graduation, the stress, while not excluding an entertaining and personable character, should be someone to inspire courage, morality, and high achievement; more positive than the loss of a daughter and more demanding than one who can hold our interest.A Jonas Salk perhaps, or a Dean Rusk; the head of HEW or B.F. Skinner; Dr. Milton Friedman or Dr. Saul Bellow, recent Nobel Prize recipients, could, having touched on our morale responsiblities, relate them to the world of academic, business, government service, or science. FRANKLY SPEAKING .by phil frank JUW VONT YOU T OUT A TON HAVS HEAIPE59 - YOU TOOK QUIT A OT ON 7W4T UST piAr... mNER$o T. ... Letters to the editor College Med.a Serv.ces Box 94 1 1 Berkeley, Co 94709 Dear Editor, It has been a long campaign, everyone should agree, over two years from Nixon's resignation to last Tuesday's election. But, when it was finally over, I had a good feeling about the future of the United States and Utah. I was especially relieved that Professor Telford's predictions were off in many races. But since they were made a month ago, it isn't hard to see why they erred. A lot has happened in the last four weeks to change the elections. In fact, a lot has happened in the last four years to change politics. I felt sadness in some of the races. Senator Frank Moss ID-Utah) will be missed. I can't help but wish that more college students had voted. The 18-25 year-old vote would only have helped Moss and maybe even Rep. Alan Howe (D-Utah). Since young adults tend to be more forgiving than other groups in Utah. . It is over and yet much is beginning. There is a challenge for us. all to help solve problems and develop potentials. It is my sincere wish that we do all in our power for these ends. Douglas Park Dear Editor: I didn't know I was "off-set from center." I have been called a lot of things in my days, but never "off -set from center." Perhaps you see something in me I don't. One of my teachers had the audacity to suggest that I perhaps should investigate the validity of such a critique. One of the members of the Signpost staff said she knew I was a little weird, hut she wouldn't have gone so far as to say that. Well, perhaps our Black Laufl'er TRIES to he (lilteren!. but I ;is blessed uith lni!: different by Divine mterv en; mi;, obviously. The Divine lu'iiit.'. oui beloved printers ( 'opv Kditor EDITOR'S NOTE: " Offset from center" is another printer's terminology. To get the same result from the current printer, "Flush left" should have been written and circled on the copy. L.L.i.1 -i.L '. Photo Ode Muell (U K t'OI'V K1MTOK 9 |