To the editor:

Nothing like a couple of tough losses (Kansas University men’s basketball) to bring the boo-birds out.

Someone recently said they thought the team lacked passion and implied a lack of direction from coach Bill Self. I absolutely missed this part of the game watching Mario and Russell and Christian play their hearts out. And, when Christian stood up in front of the frantic Antlers Club wearing the “Hero” sign and the “Goat” sign on the front and back of his jersey, as a 50 percent foul shooter needing only one to win; what a classic scenario!

There is more to playing sports than just winning games. Everybody knows this. In college sports, we get to watch boys and girls grow up into young men and women. Along with winning without braggadocio, players must suffer their defeats and agonize over their personal shortcomings and find the will to re-inflate themselves for the next go-around. All of these are life lessons that our kids at KU learn exceptionally well – a credit to coach Self and his peers.

So, when we as fans are forced to live through a couple brick-threes and a poor decision here and there, it means we get to share in the agony and the suffering. That’s our job as loyal and passionate KU fans. As far as turning a boy into a man, is there any nicer and more intelligent young man out here than Christian Moody?