[NU Sports] Fw: Minnesota-Northwestern Article 10/14/07

[mlinhardt at netzero.net]

I just read the coverage online from the Pioneer Press in Minnesota and had to send this off to the writer:

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Mr. Powers-
As a Northwestern alum and fan, I take great exception to your comment:

"A Big Ten victory away from home, even if it's against Northwestern, is a
big deal. For almost three quarters, the Gophers appeared to be approaching
the on-ramp of the highway to Pasadena. They ended up on the road to ruin. "

Since 1995, the Wildcats are no longer the doormat of the Big Ten.  In fact,
since Randy Walker came to NU in 1999, several teams have a much worse
conference record than NU, including your Gophers.  Randy had the team
solidly middle of the conference while Brett Basenez was QB (often with a
.500 or better record in conference) and had great plans for last season
before passing away unexpectedly.  Pat Fitzgerald has certainly had some
growing pains (and will probably have more) as a head coach and has made his
share of bone-headed, Monday morning QB calls so far, but there is no call
for that comment.  Northwestern has the third best record in the nation in
games decided by less than seven points since 2004.  That speaks to
character and belief, not luck.  Although the football program doesn't get
the best recruits, they do get the ones who buy into the system and work to
play hard in the best conference in the nation and graduate from one of the
top universities in the country.

Frankly, I could understand that comment in conjunction with our basketball
program.

Yours truly,
Maureen Linhardt

_____________________________________________________________
Vonage - Official Site
$24.99/mo. for unlimited local and long distance calls!
http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2211/fc/JKFkuJO6WhWtf61Jjge7IoGwC1BvCFuw72IEmxprxthz8Vhu3ryY11/