Carmody's class is an example for all

He's been called the "greatest offensive minded coach" in collegiate basketball today! He's coached at Princeton and at Northwestern, two schools where academics reign over athleticism in competitive recruiting circles. He strategized a major upset over highly ranked Michigan State ending their twenty-eight game home court winning streak and narrowly pulled off another coup vs. preseason conference favorite Purdue.

Tonight leading Illinois virtually the entire game, another heartbreaker occurred, as the Illini squeezed one out with 2 seconds to go. I graduated from Champaign, so you know whom I root for. Whereas most coaches would extend a halfhearted handshake, put their head down and scurry off to sulk and berate, I saw a real class act. Bill Carmody, fighting back major disappointment, extended himself graciously and admirably, by stepping onto the court after the final buzzer and stoically congratulate each Illini player for a remarkable effort closing out the game.

Sportsmanship, composure, leadership, dignity, no wonder rumors point to Coach Carmody eventually taking over for the legendary Tom Izzo if and when he retires. The coaching ranks need more Bill Carmodys. In fact, our country's legislators can learn a thing or two from his type of leadership.

Randy F. Gollay

Buffalo Grove