19TH HOLE: THE READERS TAKE OVER

USC'S EXAMPLE
Sir:
James H. Zumberge, the new president of the University of Southern California, deserves credit not only for revealing that his esteemed school has been guilty of abuses in its athletic programs but also for his apparent determination to correct those abuses (SCORECARD, Oct. 27). But often it seems that such good intentions eventually succumb to the fear that honesty won't fill the stadium or produce national championships.

As one who is concerned about collegiate sport, I hope SI will follow Zumberge's progress on this matter. If USC faces up to its transgressions, its leadership will win it far more lasting recognition than the 63 NCAA team titles the Trojans have won to date.
MIKE MCGINTY
Evanston, Ill.

Sir:
It surprises me that the theme of all articles concerning academic violations is one of chastisement. I would expect someone to champion the cause of the highly talented but academically inferior athlete whose only path to pro football is through four years of experience at the college level. After all, the colleges are the farm system of pro football. Is there any way to establish either a non-academic or a low-level academic program for the non-studious player? The athlete who isn't admitted to higher education is essentially being "cast aside" in advance.

On the other hand, many of us sports fans are making it comfortably through life without a college education, so I see no justification for insisting that a pro athlete get one. It isn't true that a player who doesn't make it to the pros will forever be unable to function just because he hasn't got a college diploma.
DICK TREMBLAY
Wilbraham, Mass.

Sir:
An academic affirmative action program should be a positive remedial force in improving the prospects of deserving students. It shouldn't serve to fill the victory-at-any-cost demands of athletic departments that give only casual attention to the academic needs of the marginal student-athlete. If a player is struggling in the classroom, make him or her sit out athletics and concentrate solely on studies and getting a degree.
MARK RIEBE
Broomall, Pa.

Sir:
Being an athlete myself and having lived only three blocks from the University of Southern California campus, I've gotten to know a number of "academically marginal" student-athletes who came out of USC with more of an education than they entered with. Even those who left without a degree or a pro sports contract still had gained from the experience of interacting with individuals from different economic and cultural backgrounds.

College isn't for everyone. Neither is success. But because of their athletic ability, these young people have won the chance to see what an academically and socially successful person can attain. Some will be motivated by this exposure, others will not. That is one of the harsh realities of life.
DORSEY M. JAMES
Providence

SERIES REACTIONS
Sir:
Long live Philly Fever! The picture of the Phillies' Mike Schmidt on the cover of your Oct. 27 issue is just fine. And, to make it even better, you followed your article on the first five games of the World Series with a story on the Eagles-Cowboys showdown. Thanks for so much Philly in SPORTS ILLY.
JOEL POTTEIGER
Shillington, Pa.

Sir:
Even I, a Royals fan, had to appreciate that photograph of the dramatic conclusion of Game 5 by Walter Iooss Jr. It was beautiful. Tug McGraw's determination. Bob Boone's jubilation. Jose Cardenal's despair. The whole stage set by a menacing scoreboard. That shot captured the essence of baseball. I'm almost sorry I ripped it into a hundred little pieces.
MIKE PATTERSON
Omaha

RAINDROPS
Sir:
I enjoyed seeing Sonic Guard Paul Westphal "swingin' in the rain" on the cover of your Pro Basketball Issue (Oct. 20). However, I might add that, according to my atlas, 13 of the 23 NBA cities have more precipitation per year than Seattle's 32-inch average, including Atlanta (49 inches), Boston (38), Chicago (33), Cleveland (32+), Dallas (34), Houston (45), Indianapolis (39), Kansas City (35), New York (42), Philadelphia (41), Piscataway, N.J. (40), Portland (40) and Washington, D.C. (32+). The myth of the Seattle rainfall is enjoyed by each of the 50 or so people per square mile who inhabit the state of Washington.
BOB NEILSON
Lacey, Wash.

MUD IN YOUR EYE
Sir:
We read with interest your SCORECARD item (Oct. 6) about the World Mud Football Championships in Holland Patent, N.Y. and the Olympic Mud Games in North Conway, N.H. Your readers may be interested to know that Dartmouth's Phi Delta Alpha fraternity is celebrating the Silver Anniversary of the Phi Mud Bowl, an annual contest between brothers and pledges. Phi Mud Ball is a spectacular variation of rugby, American football and Gaelic football. At this writing the brothers lead in the series 25-0, averaging 21 points per game, and the pledges, perpetual underdogs, have yet to score. Now that's a Mud Bowl!
THE BROTHERS OF PHI DELTA ALPHA
Hanover, N.H.

Sir:
Here at the University of Michigan, the Phi Delta Theta vs. Sigma Alpha Epsilon mud football rivalry dates back to 1934. Our Mudbowl has become synonymous with Homecoming and it may be the oldest and best of college fraternity mud contests. Our field is dug up and watered every day for a week, so that by Homecoming morning the mud is almost knee-deep.

It's also worth noting that Mudbowl founder E. Reed Low, Michigan '37 and a member of Phi Delta Theta, took part in 45 straight games before his death in May.
MARK BENTLEY
Vice-President
Phi Delta Theta
Ann Arbor, Mich.

FOOD FOR FANS
Sir:
While reading Jim Kaplan's VIEWPOINT (Oct. 6), I took note of his plea for an alternative to junk food at baseball parks. In late 1979 the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association converted one of its regular snack stands into a Nutrition Center that features items for health food devotees, vegetarians, those on a diet for health or weight reasons and those who just want to get away from the usual food found at parks. In short, the Nutrition Center has something for everybody.

To the best of our knowledge, we are the first public attraction anywhere to attempt this, excluding those with restaurants able to offer complete menus. Our Nutrition Center has been an astonishing success. We have even received the Creative Cuisine Award from the Los Angeles affiliate of the American Heart Association. And in the beginning we didn't think it would work!
RICHARD J. HERCZOG
Vice-President, Public Service
Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association
Los Angeles

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