Description:

Bush George H. W.

Autograph letter signed, "Gg Bush", 1 page, 6.25" x 8.5", Houston, Texas, February 8, [19]97 to Louisiana State University men's basketball coach Dale Brown (b. 1935) on the occasion of his retirement. Just a faint hint of toning along top margin from previous mounting, else very fine condition.

Bush writes, in full: "Dear Coach Brown, There was something very special about this article. 'Class' is one word that clearly applies to you; but it's even more.You have done so much to help set proper priorities for your athletes, sometimes putting education ahead of victory on the court, a truly great example for all. Well done, sir. Tell your beloved Robyn that there are a lot of people out here who admire an respect her Dad. I'm certainly one of them. Sincerely, Gg Bush. P.S. I happily recall my campaign visit to LSU years ago with you at my side."

Bush alludes to one of the major issues facing college athletics in the 1980s: balancing sports and academics. Many collegiate sports programs were notorious for allowing their athletes to "breeze" through school, leading to a movement for reform -- one that continues to this day.

Dale Brown had a long and largely successful career coaching men's basketball at LSU -- his finest years were in the late 1970s. During the 1980s Brown became a vocal critic of the NCAA, calling them, during an expletive-heavy 1986 press conference, "hypocrites," and even likening them to the notorious Nazi-era Gestapo for their strict policy prohibiting compensation for student-athletes. Brown announced his retirement during the 1996-97 season in the wake of the Lester Earl scandal. Earl, a star player, had alleged a LSU assistant coach had paid him $5,000, contrary to NCAA rules. Although the resulting NCAA investigation found no wrongdoing on the part of Brown or his staff, the organization placed LSU on probation. Many believed that the probation was a means of retaliation in light Brown's outspoken criticism of the NCAA.

Brown, who had campaigned with Bush during the latter's runs for the Presidency, was also considered for national office following his retirement.

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