To the editors:

I was embarrassed and appalled to read the comments made by men's indoor track co-captain Joe Ciollo after Harvard's convincing 118-26 defeat of Boston College (Sports, Dec. 7). I would have hoped that Ciollo would have let his team's performance speak for itself; unfortunately he exercised no such caution.

In his classless remarks, Ciollo referred to the meet as a "bloodbath" and the "Boston College Massacre." He even suggested that some of his opponents might have to seek therapy after the sound beating they received. There is a fine line between pumping oneself up and spewing aggressive bile, and Ciollo's comments cross it.

What concerns me most is that Ciollo is the co-captain of his team. All athletes serve as ambassadors for our school and, as captain, Ciollo is the specific center of attention. His choice words serve to reinforce the stereotype that all Harvard students are obnoxious, conceited, and generally insufferable bastards. I would rather not be lumped together with Ciollo in that group.

Finally, I ask, At what price victory? If winning must be accompanied by behavior like Ciollo's, then I would prefer to lose. JAMES M. MARKHAM '99   Dec. 7, 1998