HIGH SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL
Writer takes offenseto criticism of Wilson
Fanfare:
I am writing in response to Joe Scalzo's editorial in the September 13 sports page concerning the Wilson High School football program.
I am a proud member of the 1946-1948 Wilson football teams. Although Mr. Scalzo and first-year coach Dan DiGiacamo are correct that the losing years far outweigh the winning season, I take great offense in DiGiacamo's assertion that "Wilson has never had a good football program." He also went on to state that "the only reason they won in 1946 was because they got some 21-year-olds back from World War II."
Wilson did go undefeated in 1946, taking the City Series title. Mr. Natyshak and Mr. Lucansky were in boot camp when the war ended. They came home to Wilson to finish their education. But don't let the facts get in the way of DiGiacamo's fiction. The age limit to play high school football in Ohio was 19! DiGiacamo is right about one thing: "After fighting a war, what the heck are a few football games." Tell that to all of the brave young men who were pulled out of high school to fight in a war, ready to give up their lives for the freedom of all of us and our great country.
Tell that to the other athletes who gave their hearts out on the practice field and playing for an undefeated season. Or how about to the athletes who gave their best year after year only to have a losing season. There are many former players who still take great pride in being a graduate of Wilson High.
One can certainly point to many reasons why the Wilson football program has not enjoyed the successes as other programs. But Mr. DiGiacamo, as you attempt to mold these fine young student-athletes, a good place to start would be by getting your facts straight, and focus on how YOU can make a difference at Wilson. It sounds to me you are already trying to make excuses. Don't you think such a defeated attitude will carry over to your team. Maybe you should focus on what a positive influence you can be to your team!
Chester Dubiel
Youngstown
CLEVELAND
Not much goodto say about fans
Fanfare:
Rob Todor wrote that he is annoyed by the noisemakers used by the Anaheim fans. He went on to write that the Cleveland fans made enough noise on their own when the Tribe used to make the post-season.
First off, I hate to burst your bubble, but the sports world does not revolve around the city of Cleveland.
And second, if the Indians/Browns management gave those plastic noisemakers to the Cleveland fans, they would undoubtedly use them to chuck on the field as they did with their plastic beer bottles. I would not be surprised if these drunken thugs would also use the noisemakers to harass a fan of the opposing team by hitting them with it.
You must remember, a percentage of Cleveland sports fans are classless thugs whose only purpose at sporting events is to start fights. They are frustrated because their sports teams have not won a championship since 1964.
Say what you will about the Yankee fans throwing batteries (which occurred decades ago), at least they don't cheer when a player is hurt. Cleveland fans like to point fingers at other cities, but the most classless fans in the country reside on the north shore of Ohio.
Ricky S. George
Niles
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Penalty for leavingwould be compensation
Fanfare:
Maurice Clarett, our fine OSU freshman tailback, is already talking about leaving school early for the NFL. He graduated from high school early and enrolled at Ohio State last spring. Because of this, there is a chance he could go to court and be allowed to leave after only two playing years instead of the NCAA required three years!
College basketball has no requirements for players in length of time they must be in school before it's NBA time. This is a nightmare to colleges and universities who land a "super star" who they may have for only one year!
Yes, college football and basketball is big business, but why not make scholarship players who leave early pay back the three years or one year they attended college FOR FREE. One, this would discourage some borderline players who have no business going early. Two, it would give money back to the colleges who lose kids after one year or three. GO BUCKS!
Keith Hipple
Youngstown