WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback on Friday received a letter signed by 65 major college coaches supporting the High School and College Gambling Prohibition Act (S.2021), introduced by Brownback and U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy in February. The legislation would prohibit all gambling on high school and college sports, as well as the Summer and Winter Olympics. "Entering March Madness, 65 college coaches have signed a letter in support of the High School and College Gambling Prohibition Act," Brownback said. "I thank the coaches for their support. They know better than anyone the ill effects that gambling can have on student athletes. No less than the integrity of amateur athletics is at stake, and this legislation is a step in the right direction." Excerpts of the letter from the coaches to Brownback follow: "We are writing to thank you for sponsoring the 'High School and College Sports Gambling Prohibition Act'. . . Nevada is currently the only state where collegiate sports gambling occurs. Proponents of Nevada sports books will argue that regulated sports books pose little threat to the integrity of sports contests and that illegal sports gambling is the culprit. However, Nevada gaming regulations clearly recognize the potential danger that legal sports gambling presents. The regulations not only prohibit Nevada sports books from accepting bets on college athletics events that occur in the state, but they also prohibit gambling on any games of Nevada institutions played outside the state's borders. Inexplicably, this protection does not extend to any of the institutions located in the other 49 states. "On behalf of the sports programs that we have had the privilege to coach, we are immensely appreciative of your efforts on our behalf. Please let us know how we can be of assistance." Head Men's Basketball Coaches signing the letter include: Rick Barnes, University of Texas; Rod Barnes, University of Mississippi; Jim Boeheim, Syracuse University; Jim Calhoun, University of Connecticut; John Chaney, Temple University; Matt Doherty, University of Notre Dame; Billy Donovan, University of Florida; Cliff Ellis, Auburn University; James 'Bruiser' Flint, University of Massachusetts; Pete Gillan, University of Virginia; Bill Guthridge, University of North Carolina; Leonard Hamilton, University of Miami; Gene Keady, Purdue University; Pat Kennedy, DePaul University; Bob Knight, Indiana University; Lon Kruger, University of Illinois; Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University; Rick Majerus, University of Utah; Mike Montgomery, Stanford University; Jim O'Brien, Ohio State University; Lute Olson, University of Arizona; Kevin O'Neill, Northwestern University; Nolan Richardson, University of Arkansas; Kelvin Sampson, University of Oklahoma; Larry Shyatt, Clemson University; Tubby Smith, University of Kentucky; Quin Snyder, University of Missouri; Gary Williams, University of Maryland; and Roy Williams, University of Kansas. Also signing was former Head Men's Basketball Coach of North Carolina, Dean Smith.

Head Women's Basketball Coaches signing the letter include: Geno Auriemma, University of Connecticut; Muffet McGraw, University of Notre Dame; Vivian Stringer, Rutgers University; Pat Head Summitt, University of Tennessee; Tara VanDerveer, Stanford University; and Marian Washington, University of Kansas. Head Football Coaches signing the letter include: Barry Alvarez, University of Wisconsin; Frank Beamer, Virginia Polytech. Institute; Bobby Bowden, Florida State University; Mack Brown, University of Texas; Lloyd Carr, University of Michigan; John Cooper, Ohio State University; David Cutcliff, University of Mississippi; Bob Davie, University of Notre Dame; Jim Donnan, University of Georgia; LaVell Edwards, Brigham Young University; Phillip Fulmer, University of Tennessee; Lou Holtz, University of South Carolina; Glen Mason, University of Minnesota; Houston Nutt, University of Arkansas; Tom O'Brien, Boston College; Paul Pasqualoni, Syracuse University; Joe Paterno, Pennsylvania State University; Nick Saban, Louisiana State University; Terry Shea, Rutgers University; R.C. Slocum, Texas A&M University; Larry Smith, University of Missouri; Frank Solich, University of Nebraska; Steve Spurrier, University of Florida; Kevin Steele, Baylor University; Bob Stoops, University of Oklahoma; Bob Toledo, University of California Los Angeles; Dick Tomey, University of Arizona; George Welsh, University of Virginia; and Tyrone Willingham, Stanford University.