College basketball

Jim Boeheim, head men's basketball coach
Syracuse University
USA Today

"In some ways, the college game might be better today because there are more teams that have a chance to win in the tournament because the so-called power schools can't stockpile as many great players because the great players leave early. In spite of everything that has happened, we have a very strong game. I don't think the college game has ever been in a better position in terms of the competitive balance and effort."

Joanne P. McCallie, head women's basketball coach
Michigan State University
Indianapolis Star

Discussing the fact that there are no female coaches in men's basketball:

"I don't think there is a validation in your coaching men. I think great coaches are great coaches. Pat Summitt is a great coach and can coach any team. But I don't think she has to coach a men's team to prove she's a great coach.

"You have to know who you are. I happen to be a female. I happen to have a daughter, and I want to inspire her... I would love to coach men; I'd love to get my hands on those guys. But it's not about that. It's about knowing what your role in life really is."

Jim Foster, head women's basketball coach
Ohio State University
Kansas City Star

Discussing a proposal (No. 04-146) that would prohibit most evaluations at nonscholastic events during a prospect's academic year:

"I've been doing this 27 years -- no matter what the rules are or the legislation is, in my opinion, the same kids end up going to the same schools. Ohio State is going to be mostly kids from Ohio and a couple from somewhere else. St. Joseph's will get the same kind of players they had when I started there. Vanderbilt will still recruit nationally for the same kind of players. What I see is more good players everywhere."

Kim Mulkey-Robertson, head women's basketball coach
Baylor University
Cleveland Plain Dealer

Discussing whether women's teams should be allowed to practice against male players:

"If they (male players) are qualified through the NCAA Clearinghouse and want to help their school, what's wrong with that?

"It's an issue the NCAA needs to leave alone."

Title IX

Lynda Tealer, associate athletics director
University of Florida
Orlando Sentinel

Discussing a recent Department of Education clarification to the third prong of the three-part compliance test that allows institutions to use an e-mail survey to determine interest in sports participation:

"With the rising percentage of women on campus, when you run out of sports that make sense for your program, at some point a lot more institutions are going to be looking at that third prong."

Alcohol and college sports

Ron Dickson, athletics director
Tulane University
New Orleans Times Picayune

"No matter which side you come down on (the issue of whether to allow alcohol sales at college sports events) philosophically, it's a stretch to say that selling beer should be a part of college athletics. But it is a part of the fabric of our culture (in New Orleans), and we certainly want to enhance our experience to help build our fan base.

"It can put us in some tough situations, though. We just have to continue to do a good job of managing it."