Then Taking Them Off to See the Real World

As a transplanted Southern Californian, I was deeply disappointed in the behavior of USC representatives at the Rose Bowl. Coach John Robinson’s tasteless diatribe to the press after the game was embarrassing. But an even more telling moment occurred immediately following the game when the Northwestern band and student body stood for their alma mater.

The band was conducted by an emeritus director who had been present for the last visit of the university to the Rose Bowl in 1949. With this white-haired gentleman on the bandstand, it was a special moment. And what did USC do? They struck up their own massive band in an obvious effort to drown out Northwestern’s.

It was a tasteless and pointless performance by an athletic department that is unfortunately acquiring a widespread reputation for having no class at all.

MARVIN OTT

Chevy Chase, Md.

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Instead of all the arrogant “We are SC” talk, putting up freeway billboards, and claiming they are back to reassume their rightful place as national champions, I suggest that USC shut up, schedule schools that are a bit tougher than San Jose State and Houston, and line it up against someone like Nebraska.

In the end, I suspect that they would do about as well as Florida did.

JIM SCHWEITZER

Brea