LETTERS

DIVISION III FOOTBALL
Thanks for the great story about the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the Division III football championship (More Than a Win, Dec. 17). As a graduate of a small liberal arts Division III college, I can appreciate the sentiments of Daniel Sullivan, president of Allegheny College, quoted in the story. In this day of scandals at Division I institutions like UNLV, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, it is refreshing to see coverage of schools that boast of scholarship first and athletics second.
CHARLES E. AGEE III
Richmond

The quote attributed to Sullivan is typical of the holier-than-thou attitude assumed by many small-school officials in defense of their well-meaning but lackluster athletic programs.
GARY W. McKILLIPS
Atlanta

SPORTSMAN
Joe Montana's selection as Sportsman of the Year is perfect (An American Dream, Dec. 24). It is refreshing to have a hero who sets a good example, not just for other athletes but for everyone.
B.D. DANIEL
Bowling Green, Ky.

It is nice to be reminded that there are people in the public eye who are worthy of being the dreams of the future for the youngsters of today.
BETTY O'BRIEN
Mesa, Ariz.

If Montana is your Sportsman of the Year—as well he should be—then I nominate Leigh Montville as your Writer of the Year.
CHUCK EGNER
Thetford Center, Vt.

Montville's article captures Montana's importance to kids as well as to football.
BOB LELINGIS JR.
Berwyn, Ill.

Perhaps we should take a closer look at the criteria for Sportsman of the Year. Granted, Montana has had one of the best careers of any quarterback ever, but the greatest sportsman of 1990? He has averaged one interception per game this season, and were it not for Jerry Rice and John Taylor, his statistics would be average—if that.
ANDREW SCHOENEMAN
McLean, Va.

You made a good choice, but I can do you one better—Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers (below). Forty-three years old, 302 wins, 5,308 strikeouts, his sixth no-hitter—against the mighty A's—pushed for public office in his home state of Texas, fantastic role model. It would have been a proper gesture of respect for a man who has meant so much to his sport, his family and his community.
ED RIVERS
Alpharetta, Ga.

Surely there are better choices than Montana, such as the 14-year-old tennis sensation, Jennifer Capriati.
STEVE DOWNING
Savannah

Michael Jordan's not your choice?
JEFF LOWE
Charlotte, N.C.

WAYNE LEVI'S TOWN
Boo to Sally Jenkins's portrayal of New Hartford, N.Y., where golfer Wayne Levi lives, as a muddy, snow-packed place (FOCUS, Dec. 17). I grew up in that part of New York and, having lived for the past 20 years in Denver, I would rate the quality of life of New Hartford over that of Denver any day. In New Hartford you can send your children to public schools and know they will get a good education, and there is a variety of recreation available within a 15-or 30-minute drive from the city.

Please allow your readers to see what New Hartford is truly like. Don't paint an unfair picture of a very beautiful part of the country.
DEBORAH STILLMAN-MYERS
Denver

LOS ALTOS HIGH GRADS
I enjoyed Nicholas Dawidoff's article about the women's NCAA volleyball championships (Tiger Killer, Dec. 24), especially the mention of Los Altos (Calif.) High as the home of University of the Pacific All-Americas Krissy Fifer and Melanie Beckenhauer. However, he should have noted that UCLA's Samantha Shaver also attended Los Altos. Thus, during much of the match, 25% of the players on the floor were 1987 Los Altos High graduates.
DAVID PEARCE
Ann Arbor, Mich.

MARITIME COLLECTION
Pardon me if I do not share your writer's jubilation at the way in which the Seamen's Bank collection of maritime art was "saved" for the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City (BUSINESS, Dec. 17). What I see is a sweetheart deal in which, as a result of political pressure, the FDIC gave away assets worth as much as $10 million for $3.4 million. I do not believe that the public, 99.99% of whom don't know or care what the South Street Seaport Museum is, will be happy about selling this collection at a loss of perhaps $6 million.
GARY E. ECKSTINE
Jacksonville

PHOTO

RONALD C. MODRA

Ryan: an alternative Sportsman of the Year.

Letters to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED should include the name, address and home telephone number of the writer and should be addressed to The Editor, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, N.Y. 10020-1393.