Older players good for sports
Gilbert Quiñonez’s column “BYU’s slippage
through NCAA loopholes hits volleyball hard” (April 9) goes
way too far in insinuating that BYU is intentionally attempting to
cheat and gain advantage over its competition. In all types of NCAA
sports, there are many athletes much older than the 19-21 age range
(which you infer should only be the acceptable age range).
Allowing players of varying ages to compete does not undermine
the sport, but rather gives the opportunity to many more players
who otherwise would NOT have the chance to attend college, gain an
education, and experience volleyball at one of its highest levels.
Isn’t this equal opportunity and nondiscriminatory practices,
for which UCLA is an advocate?Â
“Older” NCAA volleyball players actually raise the
caliber of play and make the sport considerably more exciting than
it is otherwise. For you to say it is unfair for these players
to participate in the NCAA is simply discriminatory.Â
Accusing BYU of trying to blatantly cheat is downright spiteful,
irresponsible journalism and frankly reeks of sour
grapes. Every volleyball team is expected to compete within
the rules, and every school, including UCLA, has the right to bring
in players, that although older, may contribute to its athletic
program.
David Barney Orange County
Dorrell is the real deal
Nice job on the Dorrell situation in Diamond Leung’s
column “Dorrell not to blame for last season’s football
flops” (April 6). I’m an alum and season ticket holder
since 1998 and have tried to explain to fellow alums and fans that
he is the real deal and needs at least three years to turn (former
coach Bob) Toledo’s mess around. You and Dave Ball were also
correct in pointing out the selfish Toledo-era players still
poisoning the locker room. Thank goodness many have left on their
own.
I was at the Silicon Valley Slop Fest and on the way out almost
got into a confrontation with two so-called alums and fans who
called Dorrell an idiot and recommended firing him. Who needs
fans like that? Hopefully columns like yours will help bring
some balance and perspective to many fellow alums and fans for whom
the word “spoiled” is far too kind.
Michael J. Smith, Ph.D. UCLA alumnus