Randy Breuer deserves to have his jersey retired by the University of Minnesota, and it is long overdue.

First, Randy's statistics are more impressive than many of the already retired numbers:

• Third-leading scorer in school history, with 1,777 points.

• Led the 1982 Big Ten champion Gophers.

• 1983 team MVP.

• Two-time first team All Big Ten.

Those are just some of the highlights.

The U has a policy that an athlete must have a degree in order to receive this honor, but there seems to be a series of "justifications" for other athletes to be honored.

Randy cannot simply solve this problem by going back to school. His major, agricultural business, no longer exists in the form he began with in 1979. Earning his degree would cost thousands of dollars and take almost two years.

It's time to right this wrong.

KEVIN BREUER, Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Randy Breuer is the writer's father.