By Eric Kirchner
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 13, 1997

Kansas City newspaper uses Simon for vendetta

Editor:

I was shocked when I saw the headlines on the front of The Arizona Daily Star indicating that Miles Simon received preferential treatment in order to become eligible to play basketball for the spring semester.

When I decided to read beyond the headlines, I found out the real truth - Simon didn't do anything wrong!

First off, look at the source: The Kansas City Star. Looks like the state of Kansas is still reeling after our narrow yet convincing win over the Jayhawks during the tournament last semester. Second, look how long the newspaper has been investigating: 1 1/2 years! Why didn't they decide to come out with this a little sooner? Guess they had to wait until Simon led our Arizona Wildcats to the championship and received the honor of being chosen MVP. This way the newspaper can also justify the end to their team's near perfect season before they tripped up to the likes of our Wildcats.

Heck, since Simon shouldn't have been eligible, then Kansas should be awarded the championship and all will be good right? Wrong!

Simon was among 18 students admitted to another college last year under that exception.

He wasn't the only student who took advantage of that opportunity. Simon was smart enough to find a way to stay in school and continue playing the game he loves. And look at the results: Simon has above a 2.0 GPA for UA's standards and he is certainly above the NCAA's standards of a 1.9 GPA.

So for all of you out there who feel that Simon wrongly took advantage of our school's patronage, think again. You would do the same thing if you were in Simon's position.

Eric Kirchner
Criminal justice junior