Cassidy Did Well Under the Circumstances

Although I am not one to generally get involved in matters of sports opinion, I think the article about Pete Cassidy. . . . reflected a dismal lack of knowledge about the situation.

I think it would have only been fair for your writer to also consider some of the following other facts:

1. That Pete was out for the last eight games of the season after a life-threatening bout of diverticulitis. I think it is fair to say that his leadership would have resulted in a substantially improved won-loss record last year, were it not for that situation. Thankfully, he is now doing fine.

2. That CSUN only has available about half of the basketball scholarships of its competitors at the Division I level (eight vs. 15). Thus, many of the better players are lost to the schools who are able to finance their college education. One certainly can’t blame them for that, nor can Pete take the rap for it, either, in good conscience.

3. That this was CSUN’s first year playing at the Division I level. This alone was a major adjustment, even if Pete had been around for those eight games and had had the scholarships he needed. Let’s not forget the recruiting/results lag. A Division I program can’t be created overnight. It requires nourishment. Very few freshmen or transfers are ever immediate players. They require time to develop.

4. The criticism of the loss to Cal State Los Angeles was likewise a cheap, uninformed shot. That was one of the games when Pete was in the hospital. In addition to that, CSUN had three starters that were out of the game.

5. Pete has one full-time assistant and one part-time assistant. All other schools with which he’s competing have two full-time assistants and a part-time assistant. That extra assistant is a major asset, freeing the coach up for overview or his specialty and allows for more concentrated position coaching.

WILLIAM F. POWERS, Jr., Chatsworth