The teeth-gnashing and wailing over our hapless Gophers' losing football season brings to mind that it was once observed that if it really matters whether your alma mater won or lost, then your education failed. And it obscures the oft-unheralded fact that there are a multitude of accomplished scholar-athletes at the University of Minnesota in sports such as swimming, tennis, gymnastics, rugby, golf, soccer, wrestling, volleyball (and yes, even in basketball and football), who bring great distinction to the Twin Cities. So go Gophers -- of all stripes, shapes and sports!RALPH S. BOVARD, MINNEAPOLIS