Viewpoint / Letters : UCLA Has the Money and the Players; What Is Needed Is a Coach

As a formerly staunch Bruin fan--less staunch after they took away my supposedly good-for-life founders tickets and gave them to people who would contribute at least $1,500 annually--I must wonder at all the scorn heaped on past coaches and praise allotted to Walt Hazzard.

Contrary to what one reads in The Times, the current team has more talent than many of the previous years’--probably more than last year’s--and its record is worse. It often plays with a rough intensity and has absolutely no idea of what to do with the ball. Yes, Hazzard has instilled a new violence but very little actual coaching: few good plays, few fundamentals.

Give him time, I know, is the word. But what the Bruin administration had done once again is to spend the new-found money from contributors with tickets that formerly belonged to loyal Bruins like me, who helped channel in the players and support the coaches, on a set of coaches that may hold promise for the future--but is not an established top-flight coaching team yet.

The talent UCLA has deserves a major-college coach and the money the university has at its disposal should allow it to find one. Also, those of us who went to every game and helped John Wooden find the players that made UCLA the name in basketball, are now represented by contributors who often don’t even show up. The blame for the basketball fortunes at UCLA rests firmly upon chancellors Jensen and Charles and the head of the school, Charles Young, who supports them.

All true alumni are waiting for the day when the priorities will return toward providing the kids who come for the UCLA basketball dream with the proper coaches to help them achieve it. Until then, we are ashamed of what is happening.

RALPH JACKSON

Class of ’49

Los Angeles

Bring back Tracy Dodds! I was just getting used to her style of tearing apart every UCLA mistake. At least she reported the events of the game while offering criticism of the Bruin play. Mark Heisler can’t even get past criticism to let the fans (yes, there are still Bruin fans living in Los Angeles and reading The Times) find out the final score of the game.

KIM KOVACS

Marina del Rey

L.A. Police Should Have Something Better to Do

I note in The Times that the Los Angeles Police Department is seeking funds to hire more policemen to protect the citizens of our fair city. It seems to me, when the officers of the LAPD have nothing better to do than stand on the corner and try to entrap guys, like Edwin Moses, we damn well better cut down on the number of officers. Why couldn’t officer Susan Gonzales be doing something useful, like trying to stop burglaries at 3 a.m. on Sunday morning?

RICHARD STEFFA

Lawndale

The only thing more ridiculous than the Edwin Moses case is your coverage of the event. It certainly does not belong on the front page of the sports section.

KELVIN D. FILER,

Attorney at Law

Compton

This much we know about Edwin Moses: He prowls around Hollywood, can street talk in gutter language with women in the wee hours of the mornings, and he is described as “one of America’s heroes.” What does that say about America? About “good” police work?

ROBERT ARONOFF

South Pasadena

Dodgers Could Use Some of Their Old Trades Back

Every time I read or hear about another Al Campanis deal or non-deal, I want to tear up the paper or throw something at the TV. When will the sports news media place the blame for the Dodger collapse where it belongs--in Al Campanis’ lap?

Starting back with Tommy John, Al has either dealt away or let go too many fine, veteran ballplayers. The culmination was, of course, the loss of Steve Garvey and Ron Cey. Now we have another first baseman, to go along with the other four, who is at least two years older than Garvey. Meanwhile, Al seems to be shopping for a new third baseman. Apparently, there is a need for some veteran ballplayers to help steady his young players. Isn’t it a shame? Three years ago, the Dodgers had all these things, but Al let them get away.

I have to wonder what kind of year some these youngsters would have had last year, especially Steve Sax and Mike Marshall, if they had had Garvey and Cey playing alongside.

KATHARINE HUGHES

Northridge

Long-Suffering Fan Still Victim of Televised Sports

Bill Shirley’s essay regarding TV’s rule of sports was right on. I just wonder why it took him so long to write it.

Attendees at sporting events have known for over a decade that, for the price of admission, we can expect (1) numerous delays for stupid TV commercials (I know that’s redundant), (2) to sit behind a camera, and (3) to have to look into bright TV lights. And unlike Mr. Shirley, we have to pay for this treatment.

DAVID A. PIERCE

Los Angeles

USC Broke the Rules, So It Should Be Punished

May I take exception to the argument of columnist Larry Stewart who objects to the NCAA ban of 1985 USC football games on TV because “it hurts too many innocent people.” True, the networks and the school lose important revenue and Sean Salisbury is denied national exposure to further his professional ambitions. But, when assistant coaches (who are teachers) conspire with players to illegally sell tickets, it’s no different than cheating in the classrooms--and both should be punished.

If it requires a tough stand to remind USC not to break the rules, so be it. The NCAA deserves to be commended for placing principle above profit.

BILL RETCHIN

La Quinta

Maybe Winternationals Could Use an Exacta

Thanks for the great coverage of the Winternationals at Pomona. I suppose if a person could go there and wager on who would win, it would get as much attention as the stinkin’ horse races.

MIKE THOMAS

Canoga Park

Morrison’s Class Act Can Be Lesson to Others

Stan Morrison should be named college basketball’s coach of the year. Not just for guiding an undermanned USC team to such an impressive record but for also doing it with class and respect for his players and opponents alike. In sharp contrast to that master of X’s and O’s and humiliation, Bobby Knight. If I were a college president, I’d immediately hire Knight, but under no circumstances would I allow my son to play for him.

FRANK MALFITANO

Los Angeles

For Clippers, Worst May Be Yet to Come

I feel compelled to comment on Rick Reilly’s story “The Scheer Agony of Defeat Has Lynam’s Days Numbered.” If Jack Ramsay’s brand of basketball is so dull, Reilly should research the last time Portland played before anything but standing room only. If Alan Rothenberg and Donald Sterling think the few dollars they sprinkled around San Diego is something, just wait until Scheer agonizes a bit more.

ALEX HANNUM

Santa Maria

To Undergo Treatment Is to Find the Way Out

Your article about Marques Johnson’s treatment at a drug rehabilitation center is beneath the Los Angeles Times I have always enjoyed and respected. And to think it took two reporters to produce it!

What is so scandalous about an athlete with rumored drug problems being treated at a drug rehab center? I would think that would be good news, not bad.

NADINE W. ROCK

Garden Grove

Letters should be addressed to Sports Viewpoint, Sports Department, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, 90053. They should be kept as brief as possible and are subject to condensation. They must include a signature and a valid mailing address.