I read the letter submitted by Mrs. Rossi in your March 22 edition of The Citizen. The letter reflects a person that is struggling with the truth about athletic scholarships. It is very unfortunate, though, that she felt the need to belittle the student athletes that have been honored with scholarships and will have the opportunity to play at the next level.

Let’s be honest: athletic scholarships are not given out based on race, test scores or income earned by the athletes parents, as Mrs. Rossi sadly stated in her letter.

I also find it hard to believe that any college coach would state such an unintelligent fabrication regarding programs that raise millions of dollars for schools, based on the success of their program. If Coach Webb said that (which I highly doubt), I am sure it was only to comfort a distraught parent whose dreams have been shattered.

College coaches’ jobs depend on their teams’ productivity on the playing field. If a team does not produce victories, coaches are fired.

Now be realistic: college coaches spend hours upon hours reviewing highlight tapes and game film of prospective players. If what Mrs. Rossi said were true, this would not even be necessary.

College coaches visit stadiums across the country to watch a prospective player in action. Now, if we buy into Mrs. Rossi’s pain and agony, a college coach would only need to look at student athletes’ transcripts, view their parents’ W-2 forms, and verify the students’ race to know whom to award a scholarship.

College coaches wish their jobs were that easy when it comes to recruiting.

Mrs. Rossi, do not take away from the efforts that college coaches put into the recruiting process to build quality athletes and winning programs. They spend a great amount of time away from their own families visiting schools and prospective players searching for an athlete that will benefit their programs.

Don’t take away from the student athlete that has the size, the speed, the agility, the strength, and the talent for a particular position. Don’t take away from the athlete that has not only worked on the field with his team, but has given up his weekends to participate in combines and attend camps to get that extra look. Mrs. Rossi, don’t put your racist venom out there to justify your hurt.

Congratulations, to all the student athletes who earned scholarships. I look forward to reading about you in the future.

Mark Galloway
Fayetteville, Ga.

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