Rioters overshadow team's grace
I am proud of our men's basketball team. They played their hearts out against Duke Monday night in Minneapolis. After the game, there were only a few comments made by the team members. The players acknowledged how hard both teams played, and they did not point fingers or blame Duke for their fall. The men took their defeat with their heads held high. They represent our school, and I am glad they showed such a strong sense of sportsmanship.
However, these interviews are not what graced our television screens at 10 p.m. on Monday night. I turned on a local newscast to be informed that Fourth Avenue was being destroyed. I turned to the other news stations, and all were reporting live from Fourth Avenue. They showed buildings on fire with fans cheering in front of the flames, many overturned cars, and the news story gave information about a shooting a few blocks away.
I understand that it is upsetting when our team loses. But this type of destructive, irresponsible and despicable behavior cannot be condoned by anyone who claims to be a Wildcat fan. The actions of a few unruly fans will be plastered all over the city and state news. I'm sure it will get back to Duke's campus as well, therefore losing any respect they still held for us. We will be seen as poor sports, and the men's admirable responses to the game will have been in vain. Those of you who destroyed those cars, the bar, and participated in the other numerous acts of destruction, have also destroyed the reputation of every University of Arizona Wildcat. I hope it was worth it.
Melissa Nilsson
elementary education senior
Kudos to men's basketball
I am writing to extend my deepest congratulations to our men's 2000-2001 basketball team. In the eyes of adversity, they found the strength to fight to the top. These men overcame hardships and obstacles in order to stand together on the gleaming court of the Metrodome. There is so much strength and courage that is found in the hearts of each one of these men. This team has a unity that goes far beyond the game of basketball. Their talents reach past what is witnessed on the court.
Though in the end, we were not the team with the highest number of points, it doesn't matter. The Wildcats have had a truly amazing season with some truly amazing players who will not soon be forgotten. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. This university could not be more honored to call a basketball team its own.
Alisha Edwards
interdisciplinary studies senior
Riots disgraceful
After reading about the riots and vandalism near the University of Maryland after the Terps loss to Duke I thought, "how disgraceful." It would serve them right if the university were to drop the program for a number of years so the students would appreciate the privilege it is to even have a basketball program, much less a nationally prominent one.
Then, yesterday morning, I awoke to be disgraced and humiliated myself by national news coverage of a few colossally selfish and egocentric University of Arizona students rioting and vandalizing the property of others over the Wildcats loss in the National Championship game. Who are these ingrates? What planet are they from? I'm left shaking my head wondering where things went so wrong, how perspectives and values have become so warped; it's a game! This morning I am truly embarrassed to be an alumnus but, hey, I'll get over it. Neanderthal fans notwithstanding, I am very proud of the UA basketball team and coach Olson. Go Cats!
Steve Bennett
UA alum, class of 1977
Tuition increase will not improve education
As a graduate student at the UA who transferred here from NAU, I was shocked that very few people seemed to protest the tuition increase, but rather concentrated on what would be done with it. I strongly disagree with the editorial in the Monday edition of the Wildcat in which it states that an increase in tuition would enhance the "quality" of education, lead to smaller class sizes, time with advisers, etc.
I am a very mature graduate student who has observed our educational system throwing money at schools for years, and there was little, if any, substantive improvement in the quality of education. Where is the evidence that this tuition hike will improve these aspects of quality at the UA? I am not one to believe that quality is necessarily tied to high costs.
In conclusion, at NAU we typically took the position against any tuition hike, at least initially. The fact that Arizona's universities rank 49th in tuition rates is a commendable thing. Indeed, it makes higher education more accessible for high school graduates who otherwise probably would not be here. Do not make the logical error that costly necessarily equals quality. Before we accept a tuition increase as a necessity, I believe that we should vigorously oppose such an increase. In my opinion, the fact that UA is 49th is a positive thing because we are more apt to attract and retain in-state students. Show me some concrete evidence that throwing money at education improves quality; I think not.
Malcolm "Mac" Little
gerontology graduate student
