Letters

Russell White
As a graduate of Cal and a former player there, I am proud of Russell White and his accomplishments as a student and athlete (Bear on the Loose, Oct. 14). Admitting White as a Prop 48 student does not suggest that Cal lowered its standards. Instead, the school gave him an opportunity. Credit White for making the most of it.
RON RIVERA
Linebacker, Chicago Bears
Vernon Hills, Ill.

While it is admirable that Russell White has overcome his dyslexia and has prospered academically at Berkeley, the fact remains that Cal did not know about his learning disability when it accepted him. Meanwhile, in 1989 Cal rejected 2,500 students with perfect grade point averages. I find it sad that a school that used to pride itself on academic excellence is selling out in favor of excellence on the playing field.
TYLER ALPER
Providence

As director of athletics during White's four years at Crespi High, I can attest to the fact that many dedicated teachers and counselors spent countless hours working with him outside the classroom. For White to say that we "exploited" him is nonsense.
PAUL MUFF
Vice-principal/Athletics
Crespi Carmelite High
Encino, Calif.

I am a 1980 graduate of Crespi High and thus never went to school with White. However, I am familiar with his career at Crespi and would like to refute his claims that Crespi didn't prepare him well enough for college.

My experience at Crespi was rewarding. I matriculated at Harvard, where I was named captain of the basketball team, set the school scoring record and was selected Ivy League Player of the Year and first team Academic All-America. I since have gone on to work on Wall Street. I give Crespi enormous credit for the discipline and skills I acquired in preparation for Harvard. I had many of the same teachers that White had, and I felt well prepared for the rigors of the Ivy League.

It is sad that White is using Crespi as a scapegoat for his academic troubles. He had many special privileges there, including extra tutoring and first-rate coaching. I believe he needs to accept the blame for his problems.
JOSEPH D. CARRABINO JR.
Larchmont, N.Y.

Brother Bobby
Thank you for the wonderful article about my older brother, Bobby Hebert, and the New Orleans Saints (Gumbo Ya-Ya, Oct. 7). The family tragedies that we endured have made Bobby a stronger person. With Bobby's leadership qualities, the Saints will go a long way this year.
BILLY BOB HEBERT
Baton Rouge

Thank You, Mr. Harwell
I greatly enjoyed Steve Wulf's POINT AFTER about Ernie Harwell's final Detroit Tiger broadcast (Oct. 14). I have been a Tiger fan all my life and have often opted to listen to Ernie and his longtime partner, Paul Carey, on the radio instead of watching the game on TV. It breaks my heart that the organization can betray not only Ernie and Paul but also all the fans who listened on warm summer afternoons just to hear Ernie say, "He stood there like the house by the side of the road" after a called strike three.
SHANE GRUESBECK
Eaton Rapids, Mich.

When I was 14 and living in Oscoda, Mich., I became a devoted fan of the '72 pennant-winning Tigers. I watched every televised game and listened to every WJR radio broadcast I could. My fondest memory of that season came in late August, when we were visiting my grandparents in North Wilkesboro, N.C. One evening my dad went outside and somehow picked up WJR on the car radio. The two of us sat there in the front seat of our Plymouth Fury II in the darkness and listened to the whole game together.

No, Mr. Harwell, thank you.
ERIC MINION
Anderson, S.C.

Billboard
Your article about the low attendance at Cleveland Indians games (Beaten Like a Drum, Oct. 7) really rang true, especially the part about the barren upper deck at Cleveland Stadium. As you can see, we put those empty seats to good use.
GREG FABIANO AND ALEX BARRY
Buffalo

PHOTO

JUDE FABIANO

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.