All of the Bases Covered in Westwood

It never ceases to amaze me how any misfortune that befalls UCLA athletics brings out the nattering nabobs of negativism, like Charles Chiccoa [Viewpoint, Nov. 25], like vultures--ready to pick apart the last morsels of flesh from the carcass. Like most Bruin fans, I was disappointed with the performance of the defense this season but believe that the end of the world as we know it is not yet upon us.

Injuries did play a tremendous role in the downfall of the Bruin defense. Contrast the first three games, when the team was relatively healthy (and Mr. Chiccoa et al. were silent), to the last three, when they were not. The players who started the season did so for a reason--they were better than those below them on the depth chart.

Bob Field coordinated very good defenses during his first tenure at UCLA and many teams, college and pro, employ the same schemes that UCLA does. Perhaps that is why many top recruits still come to UCLA. Given a healthy defense and keeping the offense the way it is, I like UCLA’s chances next year. And the rest of the doomsayers can come in off that ledge.

ANDREW OSHRIN

Long Beach

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It never ceases to amaze me that whenever UCLA loses at home in basketball, sportswriters comment on how there no longer is that Pauley Pavilion hex on opponents that the Bruins had in the ‘70s. As a UCLA graduate who attended most of those game, I’d like to let everyone in on a little secret.

UCLA didn’t have a home-court edge back then. The only reason UCLA won every home game was that it was so much better than everyone else. Did anyone notice they also were winning almost every road game back then too?

Now that UCLA is losing to the likes of CSUN, it’s about time that Peter Dalis makes a few changes. The biggest would be to kick the sportswriters out of the front row and return the students where they belong. Believe me, the Bruins need every advantage they can get or you’ll see Pomona Pitzer begging to get on their schedule.

RICHARD H. KATZ

Los Angeles

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Mediocrity is starting to permeate the UCLA athletic program. The Bruin basketball team was not about to let the football team outdo it and promptly lost to Northridge in a sorry display.

As long as mediocrity is accepted at the top, as long as the Sun Bowl is an acceptable bowl and a women’s team championship is cherished more than going to the Rose Bowl or the Final Four, Bruin fans are in for some tough sledding.

As talented as many Bruin players are, there are no coaches in the major sports to teach them fundamentals, so the talent never plays to its potential. But perhaps that is all Bruin fans can expect when the athletic director knows what a dollar sign is but does not have the knowledge to produce the winners that bring in the big bucks. If UCLA did, it might be able to fund men’s swimming and gymnastics teams.

JACK ALLEN

Pacific Palisades

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It’s a good thing that John Wooden is still alive. Otherwise he would be rolling over in his grave.

TERRY FOLEY

Norco