Word: hans
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...reading Suk Han's opinion piece of December 1, "Whither Harvard Athletics," we were once again saddened to see that within this college's educated and enlightened student body, stereotyping is alive and well. We do not fault Han for airing her opinions; it appears that Han's feelings are not unique to her, and we applaud her willingness to include them in this recurring discussion. We do believe, however, that her opinions and comments on the nature of athletics at Harvard are based on several misconceptions regarding the policies of Harvard's Departments of Athletics and Admissions...
...When Han states that "athletes without scholarly abilities add nothing to Harvard's intellectual community," she implies that academic criteria are waived for exceptional athletes. First and foremost, Harvard is an academic institution, and academic achievement is the primary criterion for admission. What all Harvard students share is a certain standard of academic achievement. What creates Harvard's amazing diversity is its unification of students talented in areas outside the classroom, beyond the academic excellence of each. However, talent in only one area is not enough to justify admission. No applicant, athlete or not, who lacks scholarly ability is admitted...
...Han states that "Harvard does admit to giving preference in admissions to athletes." This statement is true only to the extent that all applicants with a distinguishable talent receive preference in admissions. Whether that talent is in athletics, acting, public service or any other extra-curricular area is immaterial. The dedication and commitment inherent in any of these time-consuming endeavors is what receives preference in admissions. Where that dedication is directed, whether on the playing field or in the newsroom, is less pertinent than the dedication itself...
...athletes, out of line and out of synch, as they prepare to march in, an Englishman sporting his I SPEAK ENGLISH button (ah, that British irony!), the Jamaicans holding their heads high while across the world their island was being laid waste by Hurricane Gilbert. They continue at the Han River festival, where an American pulls off a major upset in an ineffable local version of bingo, in an area in which ruddy-faced stallkeepers wave customers toward pungent wild-boar barbecues, and the only signs in English say DRAFT BEER. And they reach their climax at the buffet breakfast...
Long after the athletes were back at their Village, the festival bubbled on beside the Han. In the middle of the Village, next to the police station, are two carved totem protectors -- Chang-seongs -- to ward off disaster and guard the peace. Every Olympian has been invited to contribute a small stone to the base of the totems, but most of the kids chattering back from the stadium were preoccupied with their own spirits. Kimberly Santiago, the 26-year-old, 99-lb. rower ("steerer and yeller") from Monroe, Wis. ("the Swiss cheese capital of the U.S.A."), was typically restrained...