It is unfortunate that Connecticut's Nykesha Sales will become known more for her coach's decision than her stellar four-year career for the Huskies. Sales was allowed to score an uncontested basket during a game at Villanova last week, so she could still break the record. Her two-point goal required an elaborate scheme involving opposing coaches, players, officials from both universities, referees and even the commissioner of the Big East Conference. Still, the coach's gift to his star set off a debate on sportsmanship, integrity and the differing athletic standards for men and women. The Big East commissioner, Michael Tranghese, sure didn't help matters when he told reporters that he wouldn't have signed off on such a plan for a male player.
Men compete, get along, and move on with few emotions.
But women break down, get emotional, get so much more out of the game. These are entirely different sports cultures. Pitchers who hated Ty Cobb threw easy fast balls to Nap Lajoie so he could tie Cobb for the batting title and win a Ford car. Let's be kind and not self-righteous. The young woman is going to have to live with her record.