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Dear IVCC basketball and baseball players,

I’m a peer tutor for IVCC. First off, I would just like to say that I was very disappointed when I read the article…("Some Athletes Skip Out on Studying," the Apache, Oct. 26, 2000). This article made it sound like all of you were skipping out on your tutoring sessions and slacking off, in general.

I would like to start with an apology so you know that the article written does not express all of the peer tutor’s views. I have personally worked with many of you in the reading lab or in the peer tutor center, and I can say that, from my experience, you are doing exactly the opposite of what the article says.

Of the basketball and baseball players with whom I have had the pleasure of working, I can honestly say that I really enjoy working with you. From my experience, you guys have some of the most creative ideas for your stories, papers, etc. Another thing that really helps is that you are not afraid to bring your personal life into your work.

There may be some validity to the article written, but then again, if you take a large group of people, no matter who they are, there are going to be people who slack off a little. I don’t think it is right to judge a whole group based on the actions of a small minority.

I would ask you not to let the article…discourage you to keep coming to the tutoring center, but to let it inspire you to work even harder than you already do, so the next time the paper prints an article about the IVCC baseball and basketball teams, it will be about how creative, diligent, and task-oriented you are.

Once again, I am sincerely sorry you all have to take this kind of criticism just for playing the sport you love.