Hats off to Coach Fennelly’s comments in the Feb. 26 Daily article “Coaches spit on possibility of paid athletes” — stating that he saw no need for paying student athletes. When I attended Iowa State some student athletes got to eat at special training tables that most students did not have access to.

Don’t student athletes get tutors they don’t have to pay for? Many alumni and students already feel student athletes get special treatment when they ‘rub shoulders’ with the law (and I’m not talking about getting into law school either!).

Iowa State is special because of the many college-associated extracurricular activities students can be involved in — including football, basketball, other sports, Varieties, Homecoming, Veishea, marching band, blood drives, etc. Being involved certainly enhances a student’s college education and experience. All these involved students work very hard and do a lot for Iowa State.

And, by being involved they are making themselves better, too. Learning in college is very much what takes place outside the classroom. Hats off to the students who do activities to make the ISU experience special (and don’t get paid for it!).

Jay Hinkhouse

Alumnus