Letters

MATTER OF OPINION

As a 42-year-old professional woman and mother of two girls, I am
thrilled by your choice of the members of the U.S. women's soccer
team as Sportswomen of the Year (Dream Come True, Dec. 20). Their
athleticism, dedication and teamwork made them worthy of
consideration. Their grace and humility in handling everything
that led up to and followed their World Cup win sealed the
choice.
MELANIE LEVIN, Washington, D.C.

Are you kidding me? Honoring the women's World Cup champion
soccer team this way is preposterous. To suggest that the team
further ignited a movement in women's sports or soccer is
dubious. To claim that the World Cup final "took your breath
away" is ridiculous. A goal wasn't even scored!
NICK WISHART, Collinsville, Ill.

As both a Phish Head and an enthusiastic fan of the U.S. women,
I appreciated your short feature on how guitar wizard Trey
Anastasio showed his support for the soccer team. My brother and
I were in the audience at the July 3 Phish concert in Atlanta,
and we noticed that Trey was sporting a Mia Hamm jersey onstage,
which was one of the coolest things we had ever seen at a Phish
show.
ANDY JASPEN, Richmond, Va.

Not to take anything away from the accomplishments of the U.S.
women's soccer team, but I must disagree with your choice.
Lance Armstrong came back from near death to win arguably the
most difficult sporting event in the world, the Tour de France.
His courage is an inspiration not only for all athletes and
cancer patients, but for everyone.
MORGAN OYLER, Pacific Palisades, Calif.

All the candidates listed for consideration for Sportsman or
Sportswoman of the Year were exemplary. My list would also have
included the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
RANDY TRACY, Butler, Pa.

POETRY IN MOTION

Ron Dayne's tribute to his uncle moved me to tears (SCORECARD,
Dec. 20). As a retired social worker, I still teach classes on
parenting. Heisman Poetry will be required reading.
DAVID J. DENHOUTER, Ann Arbor, Mich.

It was nice to see the verse Dayne wrote to his uncle, but is
that all the coverage he is to receive from SI for winning the
Heisman?
JUSTIN BLAU, Madison, Wis.

BETTER THAN WE THOUGHT

Thank you for the article on resurgent Dayton (INSIDE COLLEGE
BASKETBALL, Dec. 20). However, your statement that the Flyers'
win over Kentucky was their "first win against a ranked team in
more than nine seasons" is incorrect. It was their first win away
from home against a ranked team. Dayton did beat other ranked
teams during that period, including Saint Louis and Xavier.
WILLIAM P. LANGLEY, Centerville, Ohio

WHO'S ACCOUNTABLE?

That Illinois hockey officials would condone the act of violence
that left Neal Goss paralyzed from the chest down and may require
him to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair is beyond
belief (SCORECARD, Dec. 20). As a rehabilitation health-care
provider, I have seen the tragic results of spinal cord injuries.
I have contempt for anyone who callously ignores the results of
this crime. The Glenbrook North player should face criminal
charges. In addition he, Glenbrook North coach Adam Young and
Northbrook Hockey League president Alan Kray should be required
to spend one day a year for the next 35 years providing care for
Goss in addition to providing money to defray his medical
expenses.
STEVEN DOWNHAM, Oklahoma City

I find the insensitive comments made by Kray appalling. Here we
have a kid whose life is now shattered by a senseless act of
violence. Whether it was during the game or after the buzzer is
irrelevant. These cross-checks from behind have to stop.
DAVE LEASH, Golden, Colo.

GATHERING OF GREATS

Thank you for the inspirational articles in your Dec. 20 issue.
Ron Dayne's Heisman poetry should be required reading for all
young people. The article on Jerry Sandusky (Last Call) should be
an inspiration to all people who work with youngsters. Both
articles can be summed up in the words of Jerry's adopted son:
"My life changed when I came to live here. There were rules,
there was discipline, there was caring." It was appropriate to
celebrate Dayne, Sandusky, Greg LeMond (Catching Up With) and the
U.S. women's soccer team in the same issue.
BARRY TRZYNA, Reynoldsville, Pa.

COLOR PHOTO: MARK ABRAHAMS/PMI

SIX PACK OF POISE

Kudos for a sensitive, incisive Sportswomen of the Year story
that looked not only into the heart and soul of the U.S. women's
soccer team but also at how this group of athletes [including
those pictured: (clockwise from top left) Michelle Akers, Briana
Scurry, Kristine Lilly, Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm and Julie
Foudy] touched the lives of so many people.
JOHN LARKIN, Chicago

To Ron Dayne: For your poem alone, you deserve the Heisman.
--SCOTT HILLMAN, Dublin, Pa.