Kick-starting black academics

Re “A call to increase black enrollment at UCLA,” Oct. 30

Los Angeles City College must help blacks go to UCLA and other four-year schools by restarting its football program. Football inspires boys to stay in high school and graduate, and girls graduate because they enjoy being cheerleaders and members of the drill team. Six Los Angeles community colleges have football teams. Money is no problem. Athletes and others taking 12 units of class or more bring in $4,367 each of state money, thanks to the recently signed SB 361.

Jackie Robinson played football at Pasadena Junior College, then at UCLA, as did his black teammate, Ray Bartlett. When football was at L.A. City College, three great blacks went on to USC: Vince Evans, Ray May and Don Buford. Athletes often influence brothers, sisters and friends to join them in college.

DUKE RUSSELL

Los Angeles