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- LETTERS, Page 6THE COLLEGE TRAP
-
- It is morally repugnant for universities to take in
- thousands, if not millions, of dollars for exhibiting the
- athletic prowess of some of their students while failing to
- ensure that those athletes graduate with meaningful degrees
- (EDUCATION, April 3). If a university enrolls an athlete as a
- student, it must give him an ironclad guarantee of an education,
- no matter how long it takes or at what reading level he starts.
-
- Josh R. Chambers San Mateo, Calif.
-
- Many college athletic programs have degenerated into
- massive tryout camps for the N.B.A. and the N.F.L. TIME's
- recommendations for improving the situation are commendable.
- However, clever individuals will still find a way to circumvent
- the system as long as there are enormous financial benefits.
-
- Bob Constantine Placentia, Calif.
-
- Charge TIME with a technical foul for use of an illegal
- uniform number on the basketball player on your cover. Was this
- a "coaching" blunder, or was it done on purpose, and if so, for
- what reason?
-
- Lee J. Suttner Bloomington, Ind.
-
- The number 89 was chosen intentionally to avoid
- identification with any particular basketball player. Until the
- U.S. re-establishes education of our youth as the No. 1
- priority, there is no basis for criticizing a program that gets
- young people twelve years too late. Isn't it time we realize
- that unless we give these students the facilities and
- instructors they need early in life, and parents instill in them
- a desire to learn, there are few prospects for improvement?
-
- Wayne N. Cooke Branford, Conn.
-