LETTER: Tennis coach was dedicated man

To the editor:

I was shocked and saddened to see that long-time tennis coach Christian Wright had been terminated as the USU tennis coach. My children have worked with numerous coaches over the years, including Coach Wright during his Nike Tennis Camp. I personally have worked with and observed teaching professionals over the past 30 years, having played tennis in high school and briefly in college.
   
Of all the coaches I have known, Christian Wright would rank up there at the top of the list in terms of not just his coaching ability, but his qualities as a human being and high moral character. Parents could rest assured that if they sent their son or daughter to play for Coach Wright that he would mentor these young people to reach their highest potential both on the court and in the classroom.
   
The life skills he taught his players through personal example will benefit them long after they have finished their college careers. The reason given for his termination was an NCAA violation of coaching high school players. I don’t know of a college tennis coach who does not coach high school players. If it is a violation, given the 22 years of dedicated service that coach Wright has given, immediate termination seems harsh. It leaves me wondering, who has the ax to grind?

Mat Miles