Congratulations to Chuck Whelan of Valparaiso. He no doubt holds the title of longest sports grudge in Northwest Indiana. Hobart at Gary Tolleston, 1966? Are you kidding?

Tolleston has been closed as a high school for nearly four decades, and Whelan is still angry. To top this off, the Duneland Conference can partially claim its birth because of something that happened 42 years ago? Now I've heard everything.

I will be the first to admit there have been differences between the urban and suburban schools. However, choosing to besmirch Gary's reputation with such a broad stroke is unfair, at best.

As an avid Highland fan and graduate, I have been to many basketball and football games in Gary over my 51 years -- Roosevelt, West Side, and Wallace. I have never experienced anything like Whelan describes. I'm not saying the incident in question never happened. I'm simply saying it is not the norm, not in 1966 or 2008.

Any regular season or tournament games at West Side (boys and girls) have always been run smoothly and safely. I use West Side as my prime example as the Blue Raiders went on to become Cougars following consolidation. The bottom line is that I will follow my alma mater (Highland) to any location, in the region or elsewhere. I do not stay home due to stereotypes or ancient history.

The character of an entire city should not be judged so harshly, especially in light of the passage of time.

As a matter of fact, I hope there can be more games played between Northwest Crossroads Conference members and Gary high schools in the future, home and away. I will be there.

Mark Ashmann, Griffith