Letters to the editor

Hirings hard to understand

According to Wednesday’s newspaper, USC will appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions next week to assure the committee that it has corrected oversight problems in the athletics department dealing with improper financial support for some football players and otehr athletes.

As evidence of that, USC has hired a new athletics compliance director who spent the last five years overseeing the Ohio State football program, which was slapped with penalties by the NCAA for multiple transgressions — players trading gear and rings for tattoos; football coach Jim Tressel fired for failing to share with the NCAA warnings about the violations; and a Cleveland businessman who gave players cash. The NCAA Infractions Committee cited Ohio State’s compliance department for failing to monitor the activities of the Cleveland businessman.

In addition, according to The State, USC’s senior associate athletics director, who helped hire the new compliance director and who knew him while she worked at Michigan, received a letter of reprimand from Michigan regarding the investigation into the practice violations committed by former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.

I’m sure that the NCAA committee will be assured that USC has the right people in place to clear up any problems that might exist.

Marshall Cain, Aiken

Great article about a great man

Great article by Ron Morris on the death of Dom Fusci. We don’t see enough of that anymore from our sports heroes. Just a great read about a man that cared about his community and his school.

Butch Helm

Fusci tribute was moving

What a wonderful tribute to Mr Fusci. I wish I had the ability to write like Ron Morris. Thank you for bringing tears to my eyes.

Sheila Frazier

Give Horn, players more time

Your story captured all the realities of the men’s basketball program woes. I was glad to hear John Calapari of Kentucky give support to USC coach (Darrin) Horn. And I agree with him completely.

For the most part, the current players are trying to give their best. No doubt TV and mid week games have a big impact. Unfortunately, so does “perception,” and a crippled economy.

Fueled by talk radio hosts there is a conspicuous smear campaign taking place. And some of the other talking heads have jumped on board. That’s not going to change.

I think Eric Hyman and Harris Pastides need to make a prominent voice of support right now. Furthermore, they need to make an effort to redirect the season ticket holders to have a convenient “drop off point’ for their unused tickets so they can be redistributed to those who would attend … if they were free. There are a lot of people who would go, only if they could afford it.

USC needs support … they need bodies in the seats. They will make a good accounting of themselves. I’m sure Coach Horn is meeting behind closed doors with mentors to help him … Eddie Folger and others.

Neither the football team, nor the baseball team got to their present level in 2-3 years … not in the SEC. Give them the time they need and put bodies in the seats.

Jim Doolin, Columbia