UC Irvine Fan Decries State of Basketball

I read the article concerning UC Irvine basketball in the April 17 edition of the L.A. Times with interest. My interest rapidly turned to dismay, and finally to embarrassment as I read the quotes attributed to the players and the apparent surprise of the coaches that these individuals should act so irresponsibly. These actions should surprise no one.

For years, college basketball has been a home for individuals with marginal educational backgrounds, horrendous SAT scores, and questionable morals. They are given full scholarships to institutions of higher learning not to pursue a college education, but merely to play basketball!

In the meantime, qualified students with good academic credentials and higher moral standards are forced to receive help from their parents or work part time to put themselves through school.

UCI has an opportunity to take the lessons learned and begin awarding scholarships to deserving students who are athletes, rather than athletes who pretend to be students. It is possible to build a successful program using students who are athletes. Just look at Princeton.

The success of the coach should be based on his winning percentage, that is, how many students graduate with a meaningful degree.

TOM ENGBARTH

Orange