Rafer’s Choice Gets Mixed Review

I have for many years considered Rafer Johnson one of the two greatest all-around athletes I ever saw perform, the other being Jackie Robinson. Moreover, Johnson’s letter published in last Saturday’s Times questioning the elimination of Gary Cunningham from consideration for UCLA’s athletic director position demonstrates that he is as perceptive as he was athletic.

As Johnson noted, Cunningham has everything that UCLA should be looking for in an athletic director. Therefore, he obviously had to be rejected if the Bruins were to continue on their current course of mediocrity in the major sports.

Bart Robertson

Torrance

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With all due respect to one of my all-time heroes, Rafer Johnson, a passionate advocate of Gary Cunningham for the UCLA athletic director position, it is clear that Mr. Johnson is overlooking one very salient fact regarding Gary Cunningham.

Mr. Cunningham is 62 years old and rapidly nearing retirement age. Does it really make sense to hire an individual even if that individual is eminently qualified, when he has at best a tenure of maybe three or four years as UCLA’s athletic director?

UCLA needs young, competent and passionate blood in the position, someone who will provide solid stability and leadership in this very critical position for a long time to come.

Michael Lazarou

Encino