Sound Off.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Thanks, Eugene

On behalf of the Pacific-10 Conference, I would like to thank the University of Oregon and the college athletics fans in Eugene for the exceptional manner in which they hosted and supported the 2002 Pac-10 Women's Basketball Tournament.

Oregon's athletics staff did an outstanding job organizing and administering the tournament, and the fans supported all of the teams with an enthusiasm which made the inaugural women's tournament an experience the participating student-athletes will long remember. Everyone made visitors feel welcome and the event very special.

Thank you, Eugene, for your warm hospitality.

TOM HANSEN

Commissioner

Pac-10 Conference

Lack of class

After the Oregon Ducks beat USC twice and Ernie Kent was chosen over Henry Bibby as Pac-10 coach of the year, USC players Sam Clancy and Jerry Dupree cried and said that the Ducks "stole" two from them, and that Bibby and their team deserved to be No. 1.

What is it that these guys don't understand about being No. 1? When a team wins the most games in its conference, and its coach brings them from down in the standings last year to the top record this year, what else must they do to justifiably be called winners?

Then, it wasn't enough that they cried about the Ducks. When they were beaten by Arizona in the tournament, they cried some more and blamed the refs for their loss. It was "because the refs got into our heads and made it personal." How pathetic.

Washington is probably Oregon's most bitter rival, and yet, after their loss to the Ducks in the tournament, David Dixon was gracious enough to call Oregon a good team that deserved respect. Perhaps he could go down to Southern Cal and teach a class in "How to Be a Dignified Loser." The USC team could benefit from such knowledge.

FRANCES FISCHER

Springfield

The power of O

I have heard that there is a little argument over the O that the UO has decided to use. Nike uses the same O. I believe it is the Autzen Stadium silhouette. What difference does it make? You can't own the letter O.

O is probably the first word uttered by man. O is spiritual to the Native People as it is shaped like the Earth. Everything goes round and round.

O has more meanings than about any other word. You can respond to any statement with an O. You can add O to about any word to add expression: O darn, O no, O shucks, O baby.

And when Lute Olson said that Arizona deserves a better seed than Oregon ... O really. They could have had Bill Walton and still got their tails whipped. O yeah.

High fives to coach Ernie Kent, he really deserves the Pac-10 coach of the year award. He has an awesome team. He is a class act. Class program. Way to gO, Ernie.

Bring on the madness.

BOBBY SIX CROWS HENDERSON

Springfield

Great coaches

I had the pleasure of my two sons playing basketball for coach John Roche and coach Mike Nicksic at Churchill. Not only were they skilled in coaching basketball but they were a positive influence on all the players they coached. They will be missed.

JOHN RHODE

Eugene

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