RE: RAY ETHERLY — in the early 1960s, APS hosted informal track meets during the summer at Milne Stadium, the “Twilight Track Meets.” At one of those meets, he showed up late, did not warm up, and ran a ten flat 100 yards in Levis and tennis shoes. He was one of a kind.

— Macy Ed

HAPPINESS IS having a basketball coach named “Noodles”…

— Perry

IN COVERING THE departure of Steve Alford and the hiring of Craig Neal. the Albuquerque Journal, and especially its sports section, is doing what it does best — using overkill. The story has been hashed and rehashed. Enough already. Give it a rest and get on with other news coverage. I don’t know about your other readers, but I’m tired of reading about it!

— AB, Albuquerque

AB, I think you are in the minority. Nothing else we have covered in my 14 years here has stirred as many feelings, good or bad, from our readers as has this story, really dating back to the announcement of the contract extension agreement prior to the Harvard debacle. As Alford himself often would acknowledge, so many fans care about UNM basketball 24/7/365. — Randy, Journal

STEVE ALFORD said it. We can all learn from it. Don’t mess with happy.

— Joe

DAMN, COACH Neal looks good in that Cherry Blazer. Better than Alford ever did.

— Kit

COACH ALFORD: Thanks for the last 6 years. You did a fantastic job. I’m certain when the critics begin their assault in La-La land, your reaction will be watched by many here in Lobo land with keen interest. You could have owned the city. Thank Goodness you gave the keys to Coach Neal, and allowed him latitude to be an Associate Head Coach in more than title. Looking forward to next year.

— Mike Miller

MR. GUILLEN’S analogy comparing Ashley Judd with UCLA was quite apropo but not for the reasons he thinks. You see Ms. Judd is not what she used to be just as UCLA is not what it used to be. Besides ‘Burque’ is full of women much prettier than Ashley and Alford’s gonna find that out soon enough.

— UNM Alumnus