Some are just jealous
Patrick Coan
Senior
This is in response to Friday's letter to the editor "The Irish Guard must go." In August, I had the pleasure of experiencing a week of Guard tryouts. Despite the fact that I was not one of the five new lucky recruits to carry on this time-honored tradition, I do have a deep respect for them.
The many people that appreciate the Irish Guard far outweigh the few skeptics, such as Antonio DiPasquale, the author of Friday's letter. The concept of "Guard brutality" has been completely blown out of proportion. The skeptics would have you believe that Oscar de la Hoya is in a kilt and throwing combinations to innocent victims on his way to the Stadium. Well, he's not, nor would he make the height requirement anyway. I seriously doubt that any of the spectators who were moved out of the path of the band are sporting any new black and blues.
The Guard represents our University the best that they can. Skeptics who write degrading letters about the Guard are the only ones who tarnish this Golden Dome of ours. In other words, Antonio, your comments are about as useful as a rubber crutch at a polio ward.
Some people would have you believe that all the Irish Guard does is "screw around." Any of the 40-some students who were with me in August would tell you the exact opposite. They would speak of a demanding week of hard work. I know for a fact that the members of the Irish Guard fully appreciate the many hours of hard work that the other members of the band put forth.
The Irish Guard adds unique character to our band. It is one of the many great distinctions that separates our band from others and makes it the best in the nation. It is my contention that Friday's disparaging letter was written because of one hard, undeniable fact. Antonio, to quote your beloved Dillon Hall, "It's all right to be jealous!"
Patrick Coan
Senior
Off Campus
December 6, 1999
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, December 7, 1999
