John Frieser ’04 Endicott, N.Y. I so strongly agree with R. Michael Smith ’70 (Letters, summer 2012) that I felt compelled to write in support of his sentiments. Although not a Colgate alumna, I am a native of Hamilton. Since my mother lived here all her life, my husband and I spent many weekends and vacations here, frequently enjoying Colgate’s concerts, lectures, and sports events. In 2006, when we decided to retire from our respective professions, we chose to leave the Philadelphia area and retire
in Hamilton. Since living here, we’ve continued to take advantage of much that Colgate has to offer, and now, as a village trustee, I am even more cognizant of the intertwining of Colgate and Hamilton. Awarding football scholarships is nothing but a bad idea. Colgate is known for its fine academic standing, not for its football team. It should stay that way. Furthermore, now that the public knows so much more about the long-term ill effects of football injuries, and many former pro football players are speaking out even to the extent that they would not let a child of theirs play football, I can’t think why Colgate would start offering football scholarships. We can only hope that in several years, football will be a sport of the past. All four reasons that Mr. Smith gave against awarding scholarships, and indeed, against football in general, are right on target and completely sensible. I hope that Colgate reconsiders its decision. There are many other sports that are less dangerous and teach the same positive qualities of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and development of physical skills.
Neill Joy told us that the pilgrims in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales helped people one hour at a time for their entire journey. He also told us about the poem “The Nurse’s Song” by Coleridge. One nanny tried to get the children to stop playing for whatever reason.
But the nurse — exhibiting patience, tolerance, and long-suffering — let the children keep playing. And theater director Atlee Sproul let me study every night in the Dana Arts Center, helping me with friendliness and whatever I needed! The English department knew that love and love alone (the spirit that is Colgate!) is the answer to the world’s problems. Edward T. O’Donnell Jr. ’70 Philadelphia, Pa.
Andrew Daddio
toughness, commitment, and accountability. Our student-athletes will carry these skills into the workplace. The return on this “investment” will be a great and noble one. Finally, I want to address the “dangers of playing football” argument. Yes, there’s risk in football. It’s a physical game. But you know what else is dangerous? Life. By choosing to play, we assume the risk. People get injured in automobile accidents all the time. Do we abandon automobile travel? No. We establish rules, provide education, and continue to improve technology to increase safety. It’s the same in football. The rules are amended to increase safety, we teach our players to hit properly, and helmet technology is constantly improving. During my senior year, a Cornell lacrosse player was struck in the chest and tragically died on the field. Does that mean that we should not value lacrosse? Of course not, because the sport has value, as do all sports. Some NFL players claim they wouldn’t allow their sons to play. I know one who doesn’t regret allowing his sons to play: Archie Manning. Football will not be dead in 25 years. The most popular sport in America is not going anywhere. The best of Colgate football is still to come, and scholarships will only strengthen Colgate’s continued greatness. Go, ’gate.
Deborah S. Kliman Hamilton, N.Y. The picture of the English department in the Slices contest of the spring 2012 Scene (pg. 80) speaks volumes to today’s world. Jonathan Kistler told us that Prince Andrew Bolkonski in Tolstoy’s War and Peace found meaning and purpose in life not in fame, power, money, or pleasure, but in loving and helping other people. Professor Kistler also told us that the patients in the hospital in Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain found happiness not in food, hypochondria, complaining, or self-centeredness, but by bringing love to all the world. (I told Professor Kistler Colgate was the Magic Mountain and he agreed!)
What they’re saying… on Colgate’s Facebook page August 20/ Colgate University It is move-in week. What do you remember about moving in? Sarah Rakov ’93 I remember I had sprained my ankle two days before going to Colgate for the beginning of freshman year. Not an easy campus to traverse on crutches, but everyone was so helpful, I had no problems. Katie Briggs Freeman ’03 Carrying my violin up the hill (before the nice steps were put in below Persson) and my parents parking next to my now-husband’s parents on Whitnall, although we obviously didn’t know that at the time!
Dana Giorgio Gelegonya ’01 I remember the students welcoming all the freshmen as we pulled onto campus! And I remember Ron Varnum ’00 jumping into my parents’ car when he saw that I was from New Jersey! Rob Collum ’75 Catching up on my colleagues’ activities from the summer at the KDR house; and then some “air-time” off the rope swing out at Lake Moraine! Virginia Robbins ’80 A pile of snow outside of the Field House. I knew it was a cold climate but still … snow in August? Turns out they had just finished filming Slapshot and it was ice from the cleared rink. Upon reflection, it was a prescient first impression!
News and views for the Colgate community
5