Letter: Rebels are just mediocre

Ron@lasvegassun.com

Friday, March 24, 2000 | 9:25 a.m.

Regarding Dean Juipe's March 20 column on the UNLV basketball team ("Program has lost its luster"): UNLV has a basketball program that is moderately successful because the university administration feels that academics is more important than sports. Because of that attitude, there will be no change in the team's level of performance.

There is no apparent understanding that a successful sports team brings in revenue that helps support all other sports. When our basketball team had national recognition, our sports budget was in the black. At schools where a successful sports program is considered desirable, excellence is expected of teams and coaches. If a coach cannot deliver a successful program, a search is held to find a coach who can.

At UNLV, the approach is that if we cannot beat great teams, look for weak competition to play.

-- JEANNE GORLICK

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