- Publish date:
19TH HOLE: THE READERS TAKE OVER
DOS, DON'TS AND DUKE
Sir:
Bravo to Curry Kirkpatrick for setting student values straight in the cover story on David Robinson of Navy in your special college basketball issue (The Mightiest Middle, Nov. 19). Austin Murphy's article Animal House, in the same issue, provided a fine picture of what a host audience for a college sports event shouldn't be. It has been a long time since a sports magazine has so well defined what to admire and what to scorn in the college arena.
MAURA C. WOLF
Old Tappan, N.J.
Sir:
As two of the "animals" of Duke University, we revel in the attention given us Dukies for our sometimes unruly enthusiasm. Given the intense academic pressure at Duke, no opportunity for its students to voice their collective support in a clever, albeit rambunctious, way is ever missed. Although we offend coach Dean Smith, of University of North Carolina fame, our bestial behavior is nothing more than a powerful statement of our loyalty to the team and coach Mike Krzyzewski.
DEAN WILLIAMSON
W. CLARK GOODMAN
Durham, N.C.
Sir:
No account of the antics of the wild and crazy Duke students would be complete without a mention of their favorite target: alumnus Lefty Driesell. Lefty got the full treatment, be it the obligatory skinhead wigs or the chant of "499, 499..." as he tried in vain to beat the Blue Devils for his 500th intercollegiate victory on Feb. 9, 1985. The "Lefthander" will be missed by the Duke Animals.
CHARLIE HALLORAN JR.
Raleigh, N.C.
PORTRAIT OF KNIGHT (CONT.)
Sir:
There is no coach in the game more dedicated to his team than Bob Knight ('You Love Him And You Hate Him', Nov. 19). He preaches good hard-nosed basketball, and he demonstrates this through his actions. I played in high school for a coach with methods very similar to Knight's, and never have I met a man who cared more for his team as players and as people.
A few quotes taken from heated practice sessions cannot dent my image of Knight. I hope that he will be around for many years, and that others will learn from his example.
PETER IOVINO
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Sir:
Judging by his vocabulary, Knight has no respect for God, himself or anyone else, which leaves him very shallow personally.
Why do parents subject their sons to four years with this jerk?
WILLIE BABIONE
Willard, Ohio
MUCH ADO
Sir:
In COLLEGE FOOTBALL (Nov. 24), I am quoted as saying that Vice-President Bush wanted no "foo-foo" accompanying his football visit to Notre Dame. Because I have a hard-earned reputation for literacy, let it be noted that the word I used was "froufrou."
RICHARD CONKLIN
Notre Dame University
South Bend, Ind.
•Our source for this one was Chicago Tribune columnist Skip Myslenski, who thought he had faithfully recorded the quote the way Conklin uttered it. But we thank Conklin for setting the record straight; surely Bush would not have bothered to disclaim any interest in a fool or ninny, the first definition of foo-foo in Webster's III. At the same time, we suspect that the Vice-President was not ruling out a rustling of skirts, the first definition of froufrou. On the other hand, what he perhaps did eschew was "fussy details or showy accessories and amenities esp. in a social setting."—ED.
HELL ON WHEELS
Sir:
Yes, the Duke students are very clever (Animal House, Nov. 19); they also have an affectionate relationship with many of the people who visit Cameron Indoor Stadium. Former Maryland coach Lefty Driesell used to autograph fake bald heads. Brent Musburger wore a BOG (Bunch of Guys) cap and Al McGuire fed peanuts to the "animals." Most of the top referees have developed a good rapport with the students.
On Feb. 17 the Duke and North Carolina women's basketball teams will play at Duke. The Duke fans are planning to fill Cameron Indoor Stadium with the largest crowd in the state ever to watch a women's basketball game. The proceeds from the game will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses in Durham and Chapel Hill. Duke's basketball fans are the best in the world.
KENT THACKREY
Fundraising Chairman
Ronald McDonald House
Durham, N.C.
•And among the most driven. Before last year's men's game against UNC, even Duke University Transit got into the spirit—ED.
PHOTO
This is not a real bus destination; it's Duke's way of telling the Tar Heels where to get off.
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