SOUND OFF.Byline: The Register-Guard Where have the fans gone? Stunning! I tried to watch the Oregon vs. UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX women's basketball Women's basketball is one of the few games which developed in tandem with men's. It became popular, spreading from the east coast of the United States to the west coast, in large part via women's colleges. game (Tuesday). There were virtually no spectators! I'm relatively new to Eugene and the Pac-10, so it made me curious. What is the average attendance around the conference for women's basketball games? I'm appalled to discover that, eliminating the highest average attendance (Stanford) and the lowest average attendance (UCLA), an average of 1,239 fans have turned out per game to support these Division I-A teams this young season. Mercifully mer·ci·ful adj. Full of mercy; compassionate: sought merciful treatment for the captives. See Synonyms at humane. mer , Oregon attracts nearly three times the conference average. But is that enough support around which to build a successful program? Why the conference-wide lack of interest in women's college basketball College basketball most often refers to the American basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA. History
If the quality of play I just watched is any indication, there is little entertainment value. I see average athletes who lack conditioning, and coaches who apparently lack passion. Fans are attracted to success. At the Division I-A level, winning does matter. And winning programs have skilled athletes, exceptional coaches and scheduling that prepares a team for postseason play. It all starts at the top. No, not with the coaches - at the top. Without administrative support, collegiate programs remain mediocre. Too bad women's basketball fans on the West Coast don't have many reasons to purchase game tickets. J. LAURIE BYRNE Eugene No hard hats required As a long-term season ticket-holder, I want to congratulate Oregon's football team for its great season. It is just sad that their tremendous performance and dignified conduct on the field was so often dishonored dis·hon·or n. 1. Loss of honor, respect, or reputation. 2. The condition of having lost honor or good repute. 3. A cause of loss of honor: was a dishonor to the club. 4. by obnoxious fan behavior in the stands. I, too, hope we'll see more security and higher standards of conduct within Autzen Stadium The stadium is tucked between the Willamette River and Coburg Hills. The uniquely shaped bowl blends in with the wooded Eugene landscape. The shape also allows for unique acoustics, making it one of the loudest stadiums in NCAA Football for its capacity. next year. The people in our row who were hit by thrown golf balls, cups and other debris will appreciate better protection as well. For a more positive experience, attend an Oregon women's basketball game this winter. As with our football team, you'll see sportsmanship and mutual respect demonstrated by the student athletes and coaches on both teams. However, you'll also hear a warm and appreciative applause from the crowd when the visiting team's players and coach are introduced, and when they show extra effort or make a great play during the game. Finally, you'll feel the frequent and deafening deaf·en·ing adj. Extremely loud. Idiom: deafening silence A silence or lack of response that reveals something significant, such as disapproval or a lack of enthusiasm. roar of Oregon's best fans in support of our team, an experience that has made Mac Court famous nationwide. The next Duck women's home game is Thursday, Jan. 5, against California, and I hope the Pit is packed that night. Everyone in the family can enjoy the game without fear or embarrassment, and they won't need hard hats for protection. ED BERGERON Eugene Football dwarfs real news I follow sports, and pull for the Ducks. But it will be a great relief to have the Holiday Bowl past us to get away from the excessive, redundant feature material on Ducks football that has filled the sports pages sports pages npl → páginas fpl deportivas since season's end Season's End are a British band based in Hampshire. They describe themselves as playing Progressive symphonic metal[1], although they are often tagged as a gothic metal band by reviewers and reference sources[2][3]. . The Ducks are important to many of us. But it's embarrassing to see them incessantly described as the "Second Coming on a Football Field." If it is a matter of having to fill excessive space given to sports, why not give that space instead to other strong interests of Eugeneans? The imbalance even affects other sports. When Portland State basketball beat the Ducks in the Pit, that stunning news story should have gotten the banner headline banner headline n → Schlagzeile f . Instead it is hidden in the lower right-hand corner while the rest of the page gives us another non-news rehash re·hash tr.v. re·hashed, re·hash·ing, re·hash·es 1. To bring forth again in another form without significant alteration: rehashing old ideas. 2. To discuss again. of an overhyped bowl game. GEORGE BERES Eugene Talent still needs coaching Here we go again. Why is all the men's basketball talent assembled here at the U of O still trying to win basketball games? The state player of the year from four or five different states are currently on the roster, but they don't seem to know how to run an offense, don't seem to play together, and don't seem to play hard with a purpose. Recently, there have been many different starting lineups and a wholesale substitution pattern. I believe that after 39 counting games, plus a few exhibition games and hundreds of practices, that coach Kent could figure out a lineup that would compete and at least win the games that they are supposed to win. Since an 11-1 start last year, with talent that coach Kent inherited from high school, they have lost 18 of 27 games after the loss to Portland State at Mac Court. The nine wins include such powerhouse teams as Savannah Savannah, city, United States Savannah, city (1990 pop. 137,560), seat of Chatham co., SE Ga., a port of entry on the Savannah River near its mouth; inc. 1789. State, Bowie State and Howard. I believe the talent is there, but I don't believe that coach Kent is getting even close to the production from that talent that he should. The bottom of the Pac-10 will again be where this team will land, unless a huge turnaround happens immediately. Time for a change at the top? ELDON SURCAMP Eugene Reward those who hustle I agree with Adam Schneider Schneider was recruited from Osbourne and NSW-ACT U18 by Sydney Swans through the 2001 AFL Draft. (Sound Off, Dec. 25), who suggests some changes to the Oregon men's basketball lineup. Having seen the Ducks struggle at times this year, I like Mr. Schneider's proposed (and bigger) lineup: Brooks at point guard, Hairston at off guard, Leunen at small forward, Johnson at power forward and Schafer at center. This lineup should make the Ducks more effective and imposing in the middle while rewarding those who have shown hustle and consistency. Schafer has shown great improvement around the hoop, as well as with his passing. He hustles down the court and provides a lot of positive support to his teammates. Johnson has arguably ar·gu·a·ble adj. 1. Open to argument: an arguable question, still unresolved. 2. That can be argued plausibly; defensible in argument: three arguable points of law. the best raw talent on the team, but looks as if he's ready to fight his own teammates at any moment. Instead of making all the big men compete for just one spot, coach Kent should give them more opportunities to work together. The presence of two big men down low should allow Brooks (with Brandon Lincoln backing him up) to do more of what he does best - penetrate into the paint. Both Hairston and Leunen have played hard and shot well all year, and have earned their starting spots. Don't get me wrong. Taylor and Oguchi are good players with great shooting touches, but they appear to have gone to the same school of no hustle. Neither plays defense nor makes offensive cuts with any passion. Some time on the bench might be the inspiration they need. Coach Kent needs to make some strategic changes to heal this ailing team. BILL ALMQUIST Eugene Treat foes with dignity A recent statistic in the sports section Noun 1. sports section - the section of a newspaper that reports on sports sports page - any page in the sports section of a newspaper newspaper, paper - a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements; "he read (Dec. 14) of the Register-Guard was without a doubt the most unsportsmanlike conduct Unsportsmanlike conduct (or unsporting behaviour, or archaically ungentlemanly conduct) is a term used in many professional sports to refer to a particular player or team who have acted inappropriately and/or unprofessionally in the context of the game. I have witnessed in recent years. As a sports fan and a mother of an avid basketball player (in the Mountain West League), it is painful for me to believe we have stooped stoop 1 v. stooped, stoop·ing, stoops v.intr. 1. To bend forward and down from the waist or the middle of the back: had to stoop in order to fit into the cave. to the level of slaughtering opponents by 87 points. That, however, is not the worst of the story. This opponent happens to be the Oregon School of the Deaf. I know OSD (1) (On-Screen Display) An on-screen control panel for adjusting monitors and TVs. The OSD is used for contrast, brightness, horizontal and vertical positioning and other monitor adjustments. willingly joined the league (as we all did) knowing the competition is tough and competitive. They have always held their heads high and with dignity. I have never personally witnessed them whine, complain or ask for sympathy in the many years that our team has competed against them. Yes, at times teams get beat by 30 , 40 and 50 points, but most of the competitors show some compassion and grace at that point and save some of the dignity of the other team. What message are we sending to our youth? I'm not aware of the referee's role in this particular game or if they could have made any difference, but if the coaches and players are proud of their victory, go ahead and bask in it, you are probably the only ones! BARB MOFFITT Junction City Junction City, city (1990 pop. 20,604), seat of Geary co., NE Kans., at the confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill rivers; inc. 1859. The rail, trade, and processing center of an agricultural and dairy area, it grew as the supply point for nearby Fort Riley, |
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