BY STAFF / Writer

Why no stories about the track and cross country teams?

Editor, The Auburn Plainsman:

My name is Charles Mitchell, and I am a member of the Auburn cross country and track and field programs. I am an avid reader of The Plainsman, but can’t help but get somewhat agitated when I come to the sports section. I understand that there are main sports that produce revenue for the school and have the opportunity to be shown on TV.

I understand that we are at Auburn University which in located in the South where football is king, and I also understand that the majority of the student body knows very little about the majority of sports here at Auburn.

What I do not understand is why there is no mention of any cross country headlines in the paper at all. I believe it was two weeks ago when there was a short piece about the opening of our season, but since that publication, there has been nothing. We started the season ranked 25th in the country, which is the highest ranking Auburn has ever started a season, not to mention the first time we have been nationally ranked in the past 21 years. 

We currently are sitting with a rank of 21st with the opportunity to improve that ranking this weekend at the Auburn Invitational at the Indian Pines golf course. I scoured the paper today in hopes I would find some information that could let the students know about our home meet and possibly even get a few to come out and cheer. Though I looked for the better part of a half hour in every section, I found no such information. 

This weekend is not just our home meet, but it is coach Melvin Rosen’s birthday. He is arguably the best coach Auburn has ever had in any sport.  He has coached countless Olympians, world champions, world record holders and Olympic medalists. 

For his birthday, there are over 200 Auburn alumni returning to the Plains. They are coming from all over the country and all over the world to pay homage to this great man. There is no mention of such an event or such a joyous occasion. 

The football team has almost six articles detailing every aspect of the game against Tennessee and what we need to do in order to improve. 

The articles tell who is ranked where and who the athletes of the week are for football. Golf, volleyball and soccer also share page space with football and basketball teams, yet nothing of cross country. 

We have a runner, Elkanna Kibet, who won the Roy Griak invitational this past weekend in Minnesota. He won his race by 12 seconds. His time was 4 seconds faster than the winner of the previous year, but myself and my teammates are the only ones to know of this information.

I know I sound a bit harsh and a bit flustered, but I came from a high school where our running program received absolutely no respect from the school. I thought Auburn would be different. I thought that both student and faculty alike loved all sports. I have come to find that this is not the case. 

I am not suggesting that there be a front page article about cross country. All I am asking is that there be something, perhaps an article about our team, instead of another article about how our offense is lackluster. A blurb about our home meet to possibly draw some supporters.  With the running community that Auburn represents, I’m sure there are people who would love to watch us compete. 

At the very least, there should be something about the legendary Coach Rosen. 

Considering The Plainsman is a student newspaper, I felt it was my commitment as an Auburn runner and right as a student to draw attention to this. I do enjoy reading the paper, but it would be nice to be able to send some clippings back to my parents in New Jersey every now and then. 

To find the information on the Internet is one thing, but to see it printed in black and white is a whole different sensation. 

Charles Mitchell / freshman, undeclared liberal arts

More support for attaching Foy name to student center

Editor, The Auburn Plainsman:

I have recently been made aware that there is a possibility that the new Auburn Student Center may not bear the name of Dean James Edgar Foy V, and will remain an unnamed building to be named later in honor of a large financial donor. The only reference to Dean Foy will be a desk inside the facility.

I attach a copy of a resolution passed by the Auburn University Board of Trustees adopted Nov. 7, 2003, stating the policy for naming a new building or facility. The name will be chosen to honor those who have an exceptional record of service and/or make a contribution of a charitable gift to Auburn University.

As a fellow World War II veteran, a dear friend of Dean Foy, and a 1950 graduate of the Auburn University (Alabama Polytechnic Institute) School of Engineering, I implore you to use any influence you may possess to urge the Auburn University Board of Trustees and those responsible to transfer the name of Dean James Edgar Foy V, from the old Foy Student Union building to the new structure. There are many publications which already refer to this wonderful new facility as the Foy Student Center.

As former Dean of Auburn Students, Foy has devoted a major part of his life to Auburn and Auburn University, and there is none other who more exemplifies the ‘Spirit of Auburn’ than Dean Foy. Surely the name FOY STUDENT CENTER should appear on the new student facility at Auburn University.

Walter C. Dorsey / Opelika, Ala., class of ‘50

‘Fireproof’  review insulting to movie-goer’s companions

Editor, The Auburn Plainsman:

I am writing to express my own opinion on an article written by a member of your Opinions Staff in this week’s (10/2/08) paper.

The article, written by Jake Cole, was from the Reel Review section and was about the movie “Fireproof,” starring Kirk Cameron.

I have not seen this movie, and it is not the review of the movie itself which I am concerned with.

Rather, I am writing to convey my own reaction to the reviewer, Jake Cole’s, reaction to the movie and how he manifests it in his article.

First off, I would like to thank Mr. Cole. Even though I have not seen the movie, it is reassuring to know that if I do, I can make certain beforehand not to be inspired, moved or in any way positively affected by the movie and thereby make a moron of myself.

I also want to thank him for determining in his objective journalist’s wisdom, on what level and in what situations a person should be affected by a movie.

Since, as evidenced by his articulate review, it is apparent that Cole has examined and pondered to the utmost not only the movie

“Fireproof,” but the people who were in the theater room with him on this obviously painful cinematic excursion.

I am certain that he can tell all those who read this article what his co-viewers said when he, carrying out his inquiring duties as a journalist to his fullest, questioned them about their reactions to this movie.

I can only imagine the replies he must have gotten which caused him to label complete strangers, whose life situations and backgrounds he has no conception of, as morons.

These replies would no doubt serve as a strong support for his article and would prove enlightening to all who read them.

I must, however, admit to being uncertain as to what exactly Cole means by the quote which he uses in his closing paragraph, and I would like to conclude my letter with a restatement of the quote, and a request for clarification.

“You’ve got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know ... morons.” - “Jim (Gene Wilder), Blazing Saddles”

Does he mean that farmers are morons?

That people who go see movies are farmers?

That the people who go see a Christian-themed movie are morons?

That only farmers are Christians?

That only morons are Christians?

That people who cry are morons?

That the only people who attend the local Auburn theater are farmers and morons?

That people who don’t subscribe to his viewpoint are farmers and morons?

But of course, he can’t mean any of those things, because that would mean he was employing the same dysfunctional reasoning and same offensive sorts of stereotypes which he accuses and ridicules the movie for presenting.

Any help afforded in clearing up this unclear point which Cole takes such pains to make would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Also, if the sarcasm in my letter is too obvious or scathing, I apologize. I, like Jake Cole, have trouble hiding my disdain for other people and their opinions.

Abby Townson / sophomore, undeclared liberal arts

Reader would like to live in columnist’s “New America”

Editor, The Auburn Plainsman:

Grace Anthony’s “new America” is certainly a country I would like to live in!

While I am happy to read in “Glass ceiling shattered a while ago” that Anthony has never been discriminated against, I was also discouraged to see that she has overlooked many of the issues currently threatening and concerning women’s rights.

Although she mentions victories such as the 19th Amendment and Roe v. Wade, she completely overlooks the supreme court case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co; under this decision, companies are protected from being sued for wage discrimination if the employee does not file a claim in 180 days or less.

Anthony also does not acknowledge that our rights are not set in stone.

Many of the rights fought for by second wave feminists are currently under attack today (such as affirmative action & abortion).

It is not simply “the thought of dominating males” that troubles women, but the real obstacles that are against them. Before Anthony dismisses the issues facing women such as sexual harassment, domestic violence, high cost birth control, fake health clinics, pay discrimination, gay marriage, the right to choose, etc., perhaps she should expand her research beyond that of her own personal experiences. I am disheartened to read this carelessly constructed article in the PlainsMAN, and at the same time, not surprised.

Symphony Romaine / graduate student, English

More support for Dean Foy

Editor, The Auburn Plainsman:

Say it isn’t so!  The University is seriously thinking of removing Dean James Foy’s name from the new Union Building when it moves?

We knew him as an “institution” of friendliness and involvement in student life and above all, a representation of the Auburn spirit.

Such a contributor does not deserve being forgotten or having his name relegated to a parking deck.

Let’s keep his living memorial in the new building  — especially as he celebrates his 92nd birthday this Homecoming! War Eagle!

Ray and Claire Downey / classes of ‘55 and ‘57