SOUND OFF.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Ballard is replaced

I have a confession to make. I have had to reassess some of my long-held beliefs. As a lifelong member of this community - a life shortly approaching its 40th year - I have witnessed many Herculean efforts by members of various University of Oregon athletic teams.

Ron Bellamy's column last week regarding Ronnie Lee and all he meant to Ducks basketball during the 1970s reminded me of those late nights in front of the television watching, in amazed fashion, Lee and the Kamikaze Kids scrambling over every inch of the Mac Court maple. Bellamy's column also conjured up in me my memories of listening to the radio to the Ducks' effort against Oral Roberts in the 1977 NIT and Greg Ballard's 43-point outburst in that game - what I have since considered the single most impressive individual performance in Duck basketball history.

But, as I mentioned above, I have had to reassess some of my long-held beliefs. Luke Jackson's 40-point performance against Colorado last night - his passion, his energy, his fist-pumping, his high-fiving members of the Pit Crew with time remaining in the game - leaves me no choice: Ballard has just been replaced.

As I sat in Mac Court watching the events unfold, my reaction to Luke's performance - not just the 29 straight points, not just the key rebounds, not just the leadership, but the entire combination of his effort - reminded me of the greatest that Lee, Ballard and all the rest have presented to us over the years. It simply exceeded all of those that preceded it.

TODD ALBERTS

Eugene

Unforgettable game

For 27 years I've been telling people that the best basketball game I've ever seen was when I was a freshman at Oral Roberts University.

My ORU Titans lost to the Oregon Ducks in the NIT 90-89, as Greg Ballard's 43 points were somehow better than Anthony Roberts' 65. Well, since moving to Eugene 11 years ago, my family have all become true Duck fans, but only from a distance: We'd never seen Freddie or the Lukes or their friends in person in all these years.

I decided I needed to be sure that my kids saw Mr. Jackson in person before it was too late, so we were at The Pit for the (first) NIT game watching, maybe, the best game I've ever seen. (Why have I waited 11 years to come watch these guys play?)

Thanks Ernie, Luke and Ducks. You made a memory for my family that could last 27 years.

DAVID COLE 

Eugene

Thanks for memories

At 60, recently retired on disability, I should have gone to bed at the end of the half. But I stayed up to watch senior Luke Jackson almost

single-handedly beat Colorado.

It was the greatest basketball finish I have ever seen.

Sure we have all seen many last-shot miracles as in this game by Luke.

But an entire halftime and overtime miracle by one young man, never.

One young man who returned for his senior year to finish his education and finish his college basketball career when the NBA could have been an alternative.

And in today's climate of quit education and run for the almighty American dollar, Luke Jackson taught us all, young and old alike, that hard, persistent, resilient dedication to one's passion and loyalty to team is rewarded greatly with more than money, with the most magical attribute of man: memory.

The number 32 in all sports is famous, worn by many of the greatest athletes in our history of American sport.

But on Saint Paddy's Day 2004, one young man made the number 33 immortal.

The miracle at Mac Court shall live in sport infamy, and we all can say, "Thanks, Luke Jackson, for staying in school to finish your education, to stick by your team to the end, to give the world of sports one of the greatest memories of all time."

PAT HARRISON

Springfield

Don't give up on Mac

I would like to quote directly from Ron Bellamy's great column discussing Luke Jackson's unbelievable performance.

"When 7,461 yelling fans sounded like 10,000 more" ... "Wednesday night, 7,461 Oregon fans were sweating, screaming and finally celebrating."

I also received a letter from Nannerl Keohane, president of Duke University, in which she shared the following: "Cameron Indoor Stadium is a small, special arena, which allows our students to be right up to the edge of the court to cheer on the Blue Devils. This can be very intimidating to opposing teams and makes a unique atmosphere in Cameron."

So the athletic department wants to spend around $200 million, some paid by all the fans, and destroy the uniqueness of Mac Court. The fan base has been responsible for many Duck victories. For this unbelievable sum, we get 4,000-plus seats and, of course, the luxury boxes as we destroy the advantage we have with Mac Court.

Hey, Bill Moos, give us some honest, concrete figures on what it would cost to renovate Mac Court and quit telling the public it can't be done.

ARTHUR GOLDEN 

Eugene

Restructure tournament

I watched the entire Pac-10 tournament and found a number of the games great theater.

I was sorry that Oregon lost to Stanford in what was a great game. However, I am making a suggestion about changing the format of the tournament a bit.

First off, I would include all 10 teams. Secondly I would grant the first- and second-place finishers in the regular season a bye in the quarterfinal round. Then I would line up the other eight teams as follows in the quarterfinal round: No. 3 vs. No. 10, No. 4 vs. No. 9, No. 5 vs. No. 8 and finally No. 6 vs. No. 7. In the semifinal round I would have No. 1 play the lowest remaining seed and No. 2 play the next-lowest remaining seed.

I feel the teams finishing first and second in the regular season deserve a reward of having to play fewer games in the conference tournament.

I am one who in the past did not favor a conference tournament since I feel the regular-season champion should not have to do it all over again.

However, the last two years have proven to me that a tournament is beneficial to teams finishing lower in the standings.

DANIEL WOLFE

Springfield

Out of KEZI's control

In response to "TV bobbles the ball" and Donald A. Parker: KEZI-9, the local ABC affiliate, had no intention of delaying the airing of the UO-Stanford basketball game on Feb. 28, and this incident is in no way a reflection on the athletic department at the University of Oregon.

As an ABC affiliate, KEZI-9's programming is divided between local and national content. Those of us here at KEZI-9 were also hopping the golf coverage would conclude quickly and that ABC would give full control back to its affiliates! ABC national made the decision to not give control back to its affiliates until after golf had concluded. Had it been KEZI-9's decision, we would have taken the UO-Stanford game without hesitation.

As for the university's decision to stay with KEZI-9 for another five years: The University of Oregon knows KEZI-9 is 100 percent behind the Ducks and is committed to bringing it quality programming. The UO also knows that KEZI-9 has increased the programming, and its quality, tremendously over the past three years and will continue to do so for the next five years.

MICHELLE EKLUND

KEZI-9 Marketing and

Promotions Manager

Eugene

Administrators fail Sheldon

In regards to the controversy with the Sheldon High School track coaches. This whole mess rubs me the wrong way.

I think Mick Cates' letter of March 7 hit it right on the head.

The part that bothers me the most is that a few individuals are forcing the majority to change. Didn't voters in Oregon do something about this involving elections?

While I am appalled that Ed Spinney is involved (I previously respected his athletic endeavors), I place most of the blame on the Sheldon administration for letting this small group dictate the outcome.

While lending them an ear, they should have been told that they have all the confidence in the world in their chosen and hired coaching staff and that was that.

Does this also mean the four parents can remove a teacher from the academic side as well by whining?

Academics, gee, isn't that why they are in school anyway? Let's get our priorities straight.

BARRY KAYE

Green Acres

Dispute got out of control

I am sad to learn that the disgruntled parents got their way with the resignation of Jennifer Pleus. But what goes around comes around, so all will even out eventually.

I am also sad that the Eugene School District administration didn't support their teacher, or if there was a problem, deal with it in a professional manner.

Hopefully school officials have learned something important - nip problems in the bud, before parents make public issues out of what should be internal matters.

Teachers need to be assured that personnel issues are protected from public laundering.

JANICE JENSEN

Eugene

Pit Crew a good crew

Don't "bash" the Pit Crew around us. Our seats for the basketball games were in the wheelchair section by the Pit Crew. Those students were so thoughtful, kind and considerate to us. They made sure that our view of the game was not blocked. They even brought us treats and made us feel very special to them. We love them and will defend them to anyone.

HAROLD AND MARY

THORIN

Springfield

Ode to Moos

An Ode to Moos

The man, the AD

Who's heralded so

In sports, the R-G

When achievements are lauded

Don't forget his most stellar

He took women's basketball 

From tourney to cellar

Rumor has it he'd leave

Be a Husky, no less?

They admire his skybox 

Fund-raising success?

His men's basketball

And football priority?

Quick! Someone should warn

Women's coach June Daugherty 

A quick call to Runge

And fears are confirmed -

When Moos is around

Women get burned

That's my Ode to Moos

The big-spending AD

Who's heralded so

In sports, the R-G

AMY BELLER

Eugene

It must be steroids

I have been lifting for 27 years - powerlifting. For most of that time I was lifting six days a week, two to three hours a day. I am now 55, and I would wager a very tidy sum that I am stronger than any major-league ballplayer, but I sure don't look like those freaks.

Having said that, it is easy to see why Barry Bonds would want the 'roid story to "blow over" and why Sammy Sosa wants to "put it behind" and "move on." It's simple: You cannot look like they do without drugs - period. It is impossible to put on 60 pounds of "muscle" in an offseason. It is impossible to add 6 inches to your arms and 12 inches to your chest by "taking vitamins and eating right."

JAMIE SELKO

Eugene

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