Athletics are supposed to epitomize fairness and respect, yet those who cheat and degrade others simply to attain another win are deemed successful. In no other aspect of life are we asked to evaluate separately a person's accomplishments and the means used to reach them -- this new moral framework will require rewriting the history books.

In Knight's case, the ethical dilemma crops up now simply because he was not kicked out of coaching years ago. But at least college sports programs are transparent enough that we know about the negative side of coaching and can make both judgments. In high schools, an abusive coach's actions are hidden from public view because coaches are protected by "employee confidentiality" and because newspapers (voluntarily?) do not report the negatives. The public ends up with a one-sided view of such coaches and becomes inadvertent "enablers," as Mr. Ettkin aptly calls them.

Since many high schools are emulating the college ranks in adopting the win-at-all-costs mentality, to the detriment of the student-athletes, we should now allow public scrutiny of high school coaches, so that parents and taxpayers can make informed decisions. High school administrators, like their college counterparts, are too often seduced by winning and, in secret behind closed doors, turn a blind eye to degrading treatment of the athletes.

ROB McCAFFREY Troy