Why restrict a nonscholarship athlete to four years of eligibility in any time frame? Why reduce his opportunity to participate in intercollegiate athletics for time spent away from the classroom? One of the most distasteful parts of any athletic director's job is telling a student returning to college after a hiatus, often necessary to earn the money needed to continue school, that he cannot represent his school because his five years have expired. The current rules penalize those hard-pressed financially, as well as the late-bloomers - those who only find themselves and become academically successful after a false start in college.

Might it not be more equitable for all concerned if nonscholarship athletes were allowed to use their four years of eligibility at any time while in college? If Division III athletics is truly participant-oriented, why artificially restrict participation? Both the N.C.A.A. and the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women would do well to carefully review all rules that needlessly restrict participation for nonscholarship athletes. RICHARD ZERNECK

Director of Athletics City College Optimum Sites for Ultimate Games To the Sports Editor: The argument of Thomas J. Volpe (Mailbox, Feb. 15), who objects to the National Football League commissioner's restricting the Super Bowl to warm-weather sites or domed stadiums, is a valid one. Fans who have solidly supported their team all season should not be forced to incur excessive expense to see the most important game of the season when their team is involved.

However, there is another aspect he should consider. The final game, or games, whether it be the Super Bowl or World Series, should be played under the best possible conditions. There have been football championship games played in sub-zero weather, with the players' hands so numb they could hardly throw or catch the ball, and their cleats not even denting the concrete-like turf.

To placate the loyal hometown fans, league officials might arrange for them to get first-choice of tickets on an excursion-type deal, a package plan that would keep the price of tickets, travel and hotel accommodations to a minimum. As for the others, it would be no calamity to watch the game on television, at home in comfort rather than risk frostbite. TED BERKELMANN

The Bronx, N.Y. Cure for Boxing: Bar the Knockout To the Sports Editor: George Vecsey (Sports of The Times, Feb. 14), though he supports proposed legislation for better safeguards in boxing, including more involvement of physicians, ambulances and better training of cornermen, does not confront what is really wrong with boxing. The issue being avoided is that the knockout should be eliminated as the primary goal of a boxing match.

To be knocked out means sustaining a brain injury, such as a concussion or worse. It is a myth perpetuated in boxing lore as well as the movies that heroes and villains can be conked on the head, be unconscious, and pop up as good as new in a short time. Recovery from head trauma sufficient to cause unconsciousness is slow and often incomplete, especially when there has been repeated trauma.