Lavin’s Fans Show the Way to Play Aggressive Defense

Yes, Steve Lavin made a mistake, which most of your letter writers seemed to take some glee in pointing out. But to conclude that he is a “bad role model,” as some writers did, based on one brief loss of judgment, shows a lack of knowledge of the kind of person Lavin really is.

I sat near Lavin for more than an hour in a dining hall in Lake Arrowhead not too long ago as he tried to eat his dinner while on vacation. He couldn’t eat two bites before a kid, or a line of kids, approached him for his autograph. Not only did he sign for every single kid who asked, but he did so with a warm smile on his face and kind words for each kid.

When we finished our dinner and went outside, we saw Lavin, finally, chatting peacefully with his dinner companions, with no kids around. My son approached, and stood patiently, waiting for an opening in the conversation to ask his important question. Before he could, Lavin looked his way.

“And what can I do for you, young man?”

“Could I have your autograph?”

“Why, of course! Thank you so much for asking,” he said with complete warmth.

Not only did he then sign his name on my son’s paper, but he wrote him a virtual essay about the importance of working hard in school and always trying his best.

There are very few good role models in sports for our kids (Tony Gwynn and Barry Sanders come to mind immediately). But please don’t tell me that Steve Lavin isn’t one of them (albeit one who made a mistake--even role models aren’t perfect). I saw how graciously he gave his time to every kid in sight for more than an hour, and tried to teach each one about life’s important lessons--dedication and best effort. Isn’t that a perfect definition of the words “good role model?”

EDWARD RUTTENBERG

Rancho Palos Verdes

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Note to the so-called UCLA basketball fans whose letters appeared Feb. 6:

I am appalled by the lack of support for Coach Lavin, who has done a remarkable job both in recruiting and making fine showings in March Madness. So Mr. Sussman would quote George Raveling regarding defense. Did you watch Connecticut beat Stanford last Saturday? They stole the ball nine times while committing only 23 team fouls to Stanford’s 21 fouls and five steals. If officials allowed the Bruins to play that same kind of game, you would have seen a UCLA victory.

I had expected USC fans to write such letters, but then again, they wish they had what we have.

KEN OGAWA

Santa Monica

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Gentlemen, I can assure you that Steve Lavin is not Latrell Sprewell. He is the kindest, most sincere, most professional coach I have ever seen in action this side of John Wooden.

If your fantasy comes true, and rumors circulate that certain alumni are seeking to have Lavin’s head on a platter, I don’t think it will be looked at too seriously by the UCLA athletic department.

Because, boys, even though you may have five grand to throw at Pauley floor tickets, you have one thing missing--something essential to making an intelligent judgment on this issue: Pete Dalis knows Steve Lavin personally. What he knows is that Lavin is a great coach, a wonderful person, and a more well-rounded, professional individual than any of you have shown yourselves to be.

And, might I add, you chose to do it in a public forum--for all the world (and all the Trojans) to see. Boo.

ANDY LUCAS

Los Angeles

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A note to the terminally nonobjective: If you’re going to write letters, write them to yourself and stick them on your refrigerator. Or better yet, keep a pile of them next to the john.

KELLY NELSON

Los Angeles