Support deserved

To the editor:

I would like to respond to Jeremy Cosman of Baldwin regarding the KU women’s basketball program and the KU Courtsiders.

The Courtsiders were organized in 1991 and currently have about 200 members, including 16 former players. One of the reasons for the Courtsiders’ founding was to give Marian Washington the support and respect, locally, that she enjoys nationally and internationally. Our support of the KU women’s basketball program includes attendance at games at Allen Fieldhouse and organizing bus trips for basketball fans to away games. At this time, we plan trips to MU on Feb. 9 and to Iowa State on Feb. 23.

Mr. Cosman commented on our record against Big 12 opponents. Data show over the past six seasons (the length of their coach’s tenure) ISU has a record of 138-50 vs. 125-62 of KU, and KU has won its games against them 8 to 4. The record is 2-3 against Texas Tech during the five years of Big 12 play and 4-1 against Texas. These teams have had record-high attendance as compared to other teams in the country. Imagine how successful KU would have been with such a REAL home court advantage as 6,000-13,000 fans in the stands!

Marian Washington has shown much love, dedication and commitment to build the program we have at KU and for women’s basketball at the national and international levels as much as any coach in this country. KU’s freshman class for 2002 is ranked 12th in the country. This was not achieved without the excellent work of Coach Marian Washington and her assistants. They deserve strong support of this university and community!

Bette Luther, president

KU Courtsiders,

Lawrence