Dear AskChuck@knews.com:

I would like to get your thoughts about the annoying use of "Lady" as a nickname for all female sports teams today.

I think this should cease immediately.

As far as I am concerned, there are just a lot of copycats for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols.

These other teams should be intelligent or creative enough to develop an identity of your own.

Nancy Dawson

KnoxvilleIn light of several legitimate issues and academic concerns, it's disturbing to even regard this as an issue.

Yet, a group of Middle Tennessee State University students and professors spent an afternoon discussing the "somewhat derogatory connotation" of a four-letter word in athletics.

Lady?

Since when was it demeaning to call someone that?

According to Webster's dictionary, lady can mean a woman of superior social position and is often used in a courteous reference. What's so bad about that?

I understand that USA Today has opted not to use "lady" in stories or headlines. Several major schools -- such as UConn -- have taken the same approach.

That's their prerogative.

But don't try and say a classy word like "lady" is demeaning as a reference to an athletic team.

If anything, this reference can be nonsensical -- or downright comical -- but it's not demeaning.

For instance, you can't have a Lady Gamecock. That would be akin to a Gentlemen Hen.

"Lady" just doesn't work nearly as well for an assortment of animal nicknames. The Arkansas Lady Razorbacks might be Exhibit A and they have tried to establish an identity as the Lady Backs.

Face it, a lot of sports nicknames have masculine origins that could lose something in a feminine translation. I guess it's just an unavoidable contradiction in terms for an assortment of Lady Bulldogs, Lady Devils, Lady Knights, Lady Spartans and Lady Trojans, to name a few.

How about fireBuzz.com?

Chuck,

If Mike Hamilton has any intention of retaining coach Buzz Peterson, he should publicly announce it now. Rather, he should have done so a few weeks ago. Leaving Peterson flapping in the wind is not only hurting recruiting, but it is both unfair and demoralizing to current players. It destabilizes the program.

In an interview, Hamilton said he was waiting for something positive to happen down the stretch before making a decision. We all knew that was highly unlikely to happen. My take on Hamilton's silence is that Peterson is out of here.

Bill Pippin

SeviervilleThe uncertainty should not have a major negative impact because everything should be resolved fairly soon. You could argue that recruiting hasn't gone all that well the past four years anyway.

By the way, there is a Web site called www.FireBuzzPeterson.com. I guess you can file this under the heading, "It Had To Happen Sometime."

Some people feel the same way about a coaching change.

Chuck,

Thanks for making me an instant celebrity at Knox County Juvenile Court (with a question about Buzz Peterson during a hearing).

I originate from the state of Florida and have a great time razzing everyone whenever Florida beats Tennessee. I had a great run until the last few years. Just let me know if I can help you with any more columns.

P.S. If you are ever interested in plugging children's issues, let me know.

Ralph Maylott

KnoxvilleI guess you know that my mother, Margaret, worked at the court for about 20 years. So, I will be glad to help any way I can.

I had several responses to the column that mentioned your question while I was still under oath. A lot of people seemed to get a big kick out of it -- unlike Steve Spurrier in that 1998 overtime loss at Tennessee.

No love for Memphis?

Chuck,

I moved from Memphis 11 years ago and I am a Memphis University fan.

Since I moved to Knoxville, I have been a fan for the Vols as well. I want to know why the Knoxville News Sentinel will not write about the games Memphis plays? Could it be because Memphis basketball is better than the Vols?

The only time you hear about Memphis is when something bad happens. I wish you would look into the problem, I bet the Memphis basketball team could whip the Vols. I guess that is why they will not play Memphis in any sports.

Windy Hicks

KnoxvillePerhaps you believe in revisionist history, but I don't.

I am pretty sure that Tigers basketball coach John Calipari was primarily responsible for trying to cancel the annual basketball game with UT.

There was a domino effect and a Tennessee response along the lines of, "Fine, we won't play you in football, either."

Fortunately, the inflated egos in Memphis have been forced to take a backseat to common sense and the renewal of arguably the best instate rivalry.

Because the Tigers and Vols will play football in Knoxville on Nov. 12, I am sure you will be reading more about coach Tommy West and the Memphis program.

There certainly hasn't been a conspiracy to keep Memphis out of the Knoxville press. Perhaps the Tigers just need to win a few more big games, you know?