Coach doesn't deserve position
To the editor,
Woman's soccer coach Cathy Klein said that she was "embarrassed and apologetic to be leader of that group," after her team suffered an 8-0 loss Sunday. I am embarrassed and apologetic that this woman coaches at the U of A. I apologize to the women who came to the U of A to play for such a fool. She also stated that, "This team doesn't deserve to wear the Arizona logo." Coach Klein, you should look at your statements and change every "they" and "this team" to an "I." After the game did you sniff some paint thinner? Or did you try your hardest to forget every basic human value ever taught to you? It is you who showed a "lack of character" in the statements that you made after the game. As a member of various teams, I had coaches that went crazy after pathetic losses, but towards the team and only towards the team. Your statements may have been permissible in a locker room, but certainly not to the entire public. Do you want to turn every possible recruit away? It was the last game of the season, and you got pounded by a team ranked fifth in the nation. After a winless Pac-10 season, I don't think this should have been such a shock. I am impressed that you found a way to make a 3-15-2 season overall, even worse. One part of your statement was correct however, "If this is the team they want to be, I don't want to be a part of it." Well at least the last part of this quote was right. You shouldn't be a part of the U of A, and I am sure that the team would agree with me on this one. I suggest you crawl back into the repulsive hole from which you came. It won't be hard to replace you. And you could always get a job on the street medians hawking newspapers, well unless that new law doesn't pass. Luckily, I know just the person for your former job. To the athletic director, I would like to offer my services, free of charge. I could do the job just as well, check that, better than Coach Klein; I too could lead the women to a winless Pac-10 season. I will even go out on a limb and say that I pull off at least one Pac-10 win. I too could yell at the team like little girls! Yeah, I can definitely see myself liking that aspect of the job. But, Coach Klein, at the end of the year I would allow these women, who chose the U of A and me as their coach, to leave with their dignity. Especially after a season in which they stuck it out, gave it their all, out of respect for me as their coach.
Roy Massani
Education sophomore
Band stabbed in the back
To the editor,
This letter is in response to the negative reaction displayed as of late towards the Pride of Arizona Marching Band. The article written by Finley and the letter to the editor by Connor Doyle have been rooted in fallacies and have lacked the class, respect, and intelligence that is embodied by the Pride. It is ironic the nature in which Finley treated the band because everything he complained about seemed to describe the essence of his own personality: disrespectful, uninformed, and unprofessional. The Pride is one of the largest and most respected activities on campus. The endless dedication to athletics and the community has seemed to be overlooked by Mr. Finley and Doyle. I, personally, would like to know why the slander of these two individuals is considered an accurate and intelligent argument.
They have insulted our dedication, our spirit, our instructors, and our message. Our message in the Danny Elfman show is not death and in no way was it a mocking of the ceremony dedicated to Damon Terrell. Our message embodies the perseverance of the human spirit to soar above all of the tough times in life because just around the corner is that glimmer of hope which inspires and reassures all that has gone astray. Our theme is entitled, "Music for a Darkened Age;" this theme characterizes the age in which we live in: an age that has given way to some of the ugliness that surrounds the human condition. For example, people, such as Finley and Doyle, have chosen to ignore the beauty in life in place of embracing the negative and the ugly, the darkness. Instead of a professional, and earned, appreciation towards the band for all that we have done to better this campus and to encourage a positive morale at sporting events, the band has received a betraying stab in the back by Finley and Doyle. Hopefully, you two will discover the lack of maturity in which you have publicly conducted yourselves, and will realize that life is not about hate but about recognizing all that is wonderful to live for.
Karin Nolan Schuchardt
Dedicated Pride of Arizona Member
Music education and performance sophomore
Band works hard
To the editor,
Why do those that know nothing of the subject feel compelled to voice their derogatory opinions on everything? In Tuesday's issue of the Wildcat a very negative view of the Pride of Arizona stated they "sucked." Do the people that write these belittling letters know the time and commitment each and every band member puts into their show for the fans? Do they know the countless hours of work it takes to arrange the music and drill for a half-time show? I wonder if these people understand that you cannot change the show even a day, week, or month prior to its scheduled date because it is that complex and that difficult to perform. The band members have a passion for what they do and by insulting their passion you cross a fine line between criticism and out-right cruelty. How would a communications student feel if people wrote letters condemning the use of "sucked" by one of their counterparts?
Another issue I have heard much complaint over is the perception that the opposing band is "louder" than the Pride. This is an absolutely ignorant claim. People must understand that sound is highly directional and fades as it passes through people. Therefore a band pointed directly at the student section without obstacles is louder than one pointed away or through a mass of people. On the contrary, if you sit on the away side of the field the Pride sounds enthusiastic and quite forceful. The band did not choose the location therefore people should understand why 300 pieces are not heard over the small opposing band.
Think a little bit people! Back to the nature at hand. Although the marching band played "Dead Man's Party" it was not mean-spirited nor should it have been changed even if possible. The band does a terrific job of maintaining an original content while still playing the classic fight songs. I wonder if people that denounce something they know little of know much at all?
Stephen Rituper
Computer engineering junior
