Apparently, to Err Is Humanitarian

I can’t believe the Bruins are missing this opportunity to play in the Humanitarian Bowl, even if they do lose a few bucks. Why, when the folks in rural Idaho make the long trek into Boise, they brag to their friends that they’re going to the “Big Potato.”

I guess when you play all your home games in a stadium as famous as the Rose Bowl, it might be beneath you to play in a potato bowl. They say that pride cometh before a fall. In the case of the Bruins, I think pride came after the fall.

Robert H. Williams

Monterey Park

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My “humanitarian of the year” vote goes to Pete Dalis for turning down a possible bid to the cheesy Humanitarian Bowl.

Not only was this a smart move financially, but it subliminally planted seeds in Bruin players’ minds next year, giving them something to play for.

Why reward mediocrity? Sure, they could’ve played one more game and bragged that they turned their season around, but would you really like to do it against a lesser opponent in an also-ran bowl game? Besides, the wacky way things are going in Westwood this season, a loss wouldn’t really be out of the question, and would be icing on a bitter-tasting cake.

Put it like this: Be happy with the season-ending victory over Arizona State, and build from that. Then the players can think about what could’ve been during the long off-season. Watching other teams play in BCS bowls and other games will no doubt light a fire under them for next season to play that much harder, and lackadaisical play (and coaching) won’t be tolerated.

Mark J. Featherstone

Windsor Hills

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Let’s get real, the UCLA athletic department did not owe any obligation to e-mail its supporters to gather their input before they made the commendable decision to pass on the “opportunity” to play in the Humanitarian Bowl. As a Bruin alumnus, I am glad that $300,000 of the university’s money is being put to a better use.

Gary Rosenfeld

Manhattan Beach