Your editorial, “Did Board Use Best Idea?,” (March 23) and Student Association President Huda Scheidelman’s letter, “Wrong Decision,” (March 27) brought to surface issues surrounding the elimination of men’s gymnastics and the diminished respect for the athletic department.

With a fundraising campaign underway and subsequent onslaught of public relations cliches, it’s essential to review current and past administrative decisions before financially supporting a program whose leadership must be seriously questioned.

It is also important to acknowledge the successful seasons of football and men’s and women’s basketball are the result of efforts initiated long before our athletic director’s arrival.

Aside from gymnastics and a history of misleading statements, we experienced the firings of volleyball coach Herb Summers and basketball coach Jim Rosborough. Neither afforded dignity nor integrity in the handlings of their situations.

An associate athletic director was hired, and eventually resigned, whose only qualification in athletic program administration was being a former college teammate of our athletic director.

There have been questionable internal appointments and salary increases, inequity in the funding and promotion of all sports, and recently we learn the associate athletic director most responsible for expanding fundraising developments will be leaving.

On Oct. 29, 1987 we were asked by our newly appointed athletic director to “identify with the product—the NIU Huskies.” In Huskies Illustrated, the NIU basketball magazine, we’re again asked to “get involved with NIU for the right reasons and stick with us for the long haul.”

Considering the history, perhaps it’s time to ascertain if the right reasons and right leadership exist.

Daniel Klein

Associate Professor

Physical Education