Eric Burton wrote, in part:
>I think in some instances the NCAA is
> an institution  that needs to losen the reigns and lighten up a bit...

The already do.  Look no further than the marvelous graduation rates at some
of these squeakball factories.  I almost gagged yesterday when I heard Nolan
Richardson invoking the name of Martin Luther King.  Considering that his
Arkansas Razorbacks have a 0% graduation rate for Afro-American players, he
just should have kept his mouth shut.

As far as drinking.  There's plenty of time to drink before and after, which
I heartily endorse, without spending $5 for a watered down beer at the
arena.  Of course, a couple of my friends adhere to the concept of a
"maintenance beer" (or two) while watching the games.  So maybe it isn't a
bad idea after all.

BTW rowdiness is a specious argument to continue the ban.  They sell gallons
of beer at the Beanpot and Hockey East tournaments and, despite the passions
these game invoke, I have yet to see a fight.

Greg Ambrose