`Life Skills' on and off the field

Regarding the Sports page article "Learning `Life Skills' on the Football Field," Oct. 23: What a treat to read about high school football coach Jim Nagel's attitude about playing and winning. By helping students function better as whole people, he is helping society at large.

His contribution is especially important on the sports field, where many students believe that their value lies in their competitive achievements. Not that we can blame them - our society has become obsessed with getting ahead, often excluding values that we need more than ever. Mr. Nagel's approach is a welcome counterbalance to those based on the notion that "Nice guys finish last." Diana Morley, Napa, Calif.

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