OCR Text |
Show Letter to Sports Editor I read with interest the unsigned letter to the sports editor on May 6 regarding the "disqualification incident" at the Davis District Track Meet. It was somewhat refreshing to see someone some-one interested enough in this great sport to respond in writing. However, the various insinuations and accusations in this letter should be addressed. First, let me say that over a coaching career of 16 years, it has been my unhappy lot to witness the disqualification of many young men and women for violations of established rules. During Dur-ing these years I have served on games committees at all levels of competition, including state championships. I think I have seen almost every conceivable situation covered by the rule book. A track official is like any other sports referee; he has to call what he sees. He can't make things up, and he can't listen to everyone's point of view or interpretation as was suggested by this anonymous writer. Imagine, if you will, a basketball official appealing to the crowd to help him make a call. How about an umpire asking the coaches to help him decide if a sliding runner is safe or out? In this incident, the Woods Cross runner, a really fine young man, committed an obvious infraction witnessed by almost everyone. It was fortunate this happened here and not in the state meet. The games committee had no choice but to uphold the protest. This was not a pleasant decision, but they never are. I understand the frustration of the Woods Cross faithful because I have seen my own teams lose championships over similar rulings. May I take this opportunity to congratulate the Woods Cross coaches and team for the fine job they have done this year. I know several of these young men personally, as my coaching staff and I have coached and helped them during the off-season. They really are good people. One last comment -- unsigned letters usually reflect one of two things: either a lack of knowledge or a weakness of conviction. convic-tion. The discerning reader would do well to ignore them. Lynn Dubois Head Track Coach Viewmont High School |