Has anyone else noted the irony in the Knight Commission's call for more control in college athletics and the recent abrogation of responsibility by the Division I Board of Directors?

Given a meaningful opportunity to effect real reform in college basketball, the Board yielded to the anti-academic subculture of intercollegiate basketball by eviscerating the proposed "five/eight" initial-counter rule.

Instead of letting a good rule work, the Board listened to the "Chicken Little" cries of those who would maintain our status quo of being nothing more than a minor league for the National Basketball Association. Instead of putting academics first in college basketball, the Board added initial counters and bonuses, which make the original intent of the five/eight rule easier to circumvent.

There is a very simple solution to deplorable graduation rates demonstrated by men's basketball over the last decade: Take better students initially who desire a true college education.

Let's stop the hypocrisy of majoring in eligibility or special classes that amount to nothing more than a pre-NBA curriculum. Let's stop running off recruits who aren't quite as good as the coach originally thought so they can be replaced by another initial counter next year. And for God's sake, let's stop pretending this isn't happening across the spectrum of Division I basketball. The biggest complainers -- just by coincidence, I'm sure -- happen to be the biggest offenders.

No pun intended, but the Board of Directors is guilty of one major offensive foul in this case, and one can only wonder when they will publicly begin to take control of the problem they all complain about in private.

Rick Taylor
Director of Athletics
Northwestern University

Army-Navy the epitome of American resolve

Annually, the Army-Navy game has the largest congregation of admirals and generals in one place at one time, and this year was no exception. Major politicians demonstrated their support, including President Bush, who marched to midfield for the coin toss. Among those attending were ex-Army Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and Navy hero Sen. John McCain, who were prominently featured in national television interviews. These military and political leaders, present and future, were among the sellout crowd of just under 70,000 fans (capacity of 66,000) that filled Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. Demonstrating the courage of America, these political and military leaders came together in the 120-by-60 yard confines of a football field. It could have been the ultimate terrorist target.

Discounting the records of both teams, the Army-Navy game, which was being played for the 102nd time, is one of the top 10 sporting events held annually in the United States. Forget the movie, "Black Sunday," in which the Super Bowl was targeted for attack. An attack on the Army-Navy game could have wiped out thousands of current and future military leaders, along with retired admirals and generals who are recognized as national heroes.

But America rose to the occasion. Congratulations to the many national security agencies, the state of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia for their diligent work, which allowed the game to go off without a hitch.

America, we can breathe easier tonight.

Mike Cleary
Executive Director