Location Not Key Issue for Blue-Chip Players

Fred Cassidy [Viewpoint, Feb. 12] must be living in Fantasyland if he really believes that “the finest athletes in the land” choose their college to look at the scenery or pursue higher academics. If that were true, why don’t we ever see Hawaii or Harvard in the Final Four?

Call me cynical, but my impression is that what most blue-chip athletes want is a fast track to the NBA, a school where they can start immediately and maximum TV exposure (preferably ESPN). In this regard, UCLA has no advantage over any of the other high-profile programs. And if fan support is also a consideration, judging from the letters to this newspaper, UCLA is at a serious disadvantage.

BEN BROWDY

Los Angeles