PULASKI'S REACTION WOULD BE SIMILAR

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 28, 1993                   TAG: 9303010219
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
PULASKI'S REACTION WOULD BE SIMILAR
IN RESPONSE to Jerry L. Haynes' letter to the editor of Feb. 10, "Fractious, fractional football," concerning the coverage of the cleat controversy:
Until reading his letter, I really wanted all of the coverage to die down. I am a long-time follower of Salem football and, by nature, I am very quick in defending the football program and the school. I have defended them against allegations of "recruiting ballplayers" and of being nothing but a football-oriented high school. I never thought I would be defending them for trying to bring "cheaters" to justice.
Haynes is from Pulaski, and I have attended many football games in Pulaski County - otherwise known as "Cougar Country." I can honestly say that community is also very proud of Cougar football. I can't help but wonder, if Pulaski had been beaten in a semifinal game by a team wearing illegal cleats, what Joel Hicks and the community's reaction would have been. I can tell you that the people of Pulaski would have backed or supported Hicks just as the people of Salem supported Coach Willis White. They probably would have appreciated the press coverage on the controversy.
I think before Haynes finds fault with the press or Salem, he ought to look at a similar program in his own county and try to put himself in the place of White, the ballplayers and the community. If nothing else was accomplished, White may have set a precedent in courage. LISA W. SMITH ROANOKE

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB