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Letters to the editor
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: Opinion
Skepticism on slots
Congratulations on your Sept. 9 editorial cartoon! You should reprint it every day from now to November. The cartoon says it all: Why stop with gambling, when there are many other socially undesirable practices that could be set up under state sponsorship and made to generate revenue? Of course, nearly half the slots revenue will go to the private firms that operate the racetrack and the business. And, of course, even legal gambling generates all kinds of unsavory (and sometimes illegal) sideline activities. The bulk of the funds will come from the pockets of poor people who are hoping for a lucky windfall, and therefore gambling is an even more regressive way to generate revenue than a sales tax. But nevermind: There may be some pennies left over for "education" (whatever that actually turns out to be). I am disgusted and ashamed the Board of Regents have been browbeaten into supporting the slots initiative, and I hope the student body will repudiate this support.
Lee E. Preston
Professor
business school
Defending Under Armour
In the Sept. 9 issue of The Diamondback, a letter to the editor titled "Sub-par Under Armour" was critical of the university's decision to partner with Under Armour to outfit our intercollegiate athletic teams.
To be clear, Under Armour was chosen over other industry leaders primarily because of the company's commitment and ability to provide the best quality apparel and footwear to our student athletes and coaches, while providing the highest level of value and customer service to the university. Other considerations in our decision were the unmatched recruiting benefits that come with being aligned with a brand as strong as Under Armour; the creative marketing strength and support Under Armour will provide to the Athletics Department; and the unique product research and development opportunities Under Armour will provide our coaches, teams and student athletes.
Under Armour has outfitted a number of university teams for several years with great results, beginning with a uniform and footwear partnership with our football team in 2004. In fact, Under Armour and our football program worked closely together on the development of Under Armour's football cleats, and in August 2006, Under Armour became an authorized footwear supplier to the National Football League, elevating the company's new line of cleats to a national stage.
We anticipate the same great results as Under Armour begins outfitting our national championship men's and women's basketball teams and most of our Terp teams this season. Our coaches and student athletes are excited to be wearing apparel, uniforms and footwear currently provided by Under Armour and are anxious to assist them in developing and debuting their new products, including the highly anticipated debut of Under Armour basketball footwear in years to come.
This latest partnership between the state's flagship institution and one of the state's highest profile companies is an appropriate extension of the strong relationship that exists between these two brands committed to excellence. We are excited by the undeniable advantage Under Armour will be providing the Terp teams for years to come.
Ralph Friedgen
Football Coach
Gary Williams
Men's Basketball Coach
Brenda Frese
Women's Basketball Coach
Debbie Yow
Director of Athletics
Congratulations on your Sept. 9 editorial cartoon! You should reprint it every day from now to November. The cartoon says it all: Why stop with gambling, when there are many other socially undesirable practices that could be set up under state sponsorship and made to generate revenue? Of course, nearly half the slots revenue will go to the private firms that operate the racetrack and the business. And, of course, even legal gambling generates all kinds of unsavory (and sometimes illegal) sideline activities. The bulk of the funds will come from the pockets of poor people who are hoping for a lucky windfall, and therefore gambling is an even more regressive way to generate revenue than a sales tax. But nevermind: There may be some pennies left over for "education" (whatever that actually turns out to be). I am disgusted and ashamed the Board of Regents have been browbeaten into supporting the slots initiative, and I hope the student body will repudiate this support.
Lee E. Preston
Professor
business school
Defending Under Armour
In the Sept. 9 issue of The Diamondback, a letter to the editor titled "Sub-par Under Armour" was critical of the university's decision to partner with Under Armour to outfit our intercollegiate athletic teams.
To be clear, Under Armour was chosen over other industry leaders primarily because of the company's commitment and ability to provide the best quality apparel and footwear to our student athletes and coaches, while providing the highest level of value and customer service to the university. Other considerations in our decision were the unmatched recruiting benefits that come with being aligned with a brand as strong as Under Armour; the creative marketing strength and support Under Armour will provide to the Athletics Department; and the unique product research and development opportunities Under Armour will provide our coaches, teams and student athletes.
Under Armour has outfitted a number of university teams for several years with great results, beginning with a uniform and footwear partnership with our football team in 2004. In fact, Under Armour and our football program worked closely together on the development of Under Armour's football cleats, and in August 2006, Under Armour became an authorized footwear supplier to the National Football League, elevating the company's new line of cleats to a national stage.
We anticipate the same great results as Under Armour begins outfitting our national championship men's and women's basketball teams and most of our Terp teams this season. Our coaches and student athletes are excited to be wearing apparel, uniforms and footwear currently provided by Under Armour and are anxious to assist them in developing and debuting their new products, including the highly anticipated debut of Under Armour basketball footwear in years to come.
This latest partnership between the state's flagship institution and one of the state's highest profile companies is an appropriate extension of the strong relationship that exists between these two brands committed to excellence. We are excited by the undeniable advantage Under Armour will be providing the Terp teams for years to come.
Ralph Friedgen
Football Coach
Gary Williams
Men's Basketball Coach
Brenda Frese
Women's Basketball Coach
Debbie Yow
Director of Athletics
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JGo
posted 9/12/08 @ 10:09 PM EST
2001 - Ralph Friedgen era beings
31-8 record over a 3 year period (.795)
2004 - Under Armour era begins
19-16 record over a 3 year period (.543)
25-23 record over a 4 year period (. (Continued…)
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