I was informed of the commentary published in the Echo on Feb. 10 arguing that men’s basketball coach Charles Ramsey should be retained and am compelled to offer another perspective.
When we look at Eastern’s power ranking, which is based on who we play, who we beat and who our opponents beat, we fall in at 322 out of 345. Our true Division 1 status is this: We are a chronically losing team in a mediocre mid-major basketball conference.
I attended school at Eastern when the program was in good shape. I’m talking about the days of George Gervin, Kennedy McIntosh and Harvey Marlett (all three played in the NBA). Since my graduation in 1971, we have gone to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament twice and have had other good teams. Needless to say, the past few years have been disappointing.
Although the athletic marketing department has done its best to boost attendance, the Convocation Center is mostly full of empty seats. Without a change in the coaching staff, we are in danger of losing some of the loyal fans that we do have. I thought Coach Ramsey should have been let go two years ago and said so in writing. I’m now saying it again. – Eric Walline, EMU ’71, ’78, ‘79
