Deford '61's writings

In response to: More than the game

By Paul Kurzman ’60

Published in the May 13, 2009 issue

Thank you for the wonderful article about the extraordinary accomplishments of Frank Deford ’61 (cover story, March 4). Frank is perhaps the most sensitive and sophisticated sportswriter of our generation. I write merely to add what was not mentioned. First, Frank is also the...

A prescient Deford play

By Dale Bell ’60

Published in the May 13, 2009 issue

Frank Deford’s first play, Mr. First, was a one-act play we produced as part of a trilogy at Theatre Intime in 1959; naturally, it was about a man who was obsessive about being the first person in line at every major sporting event, probably very autobiographical and prescient!

Deford's 'funniest piece ever'

By Tom Hoster ’72

Published in the May 13, 2009 issue

I bet that very few of your readers will recall Frank Deford’s funniest piece ever. It was a letter to PAW about 1970 or so. At the time there was a controversy brewing, principally among older alumni, about “cohabitation.” The presence of women on campus would surely lead to...

Other views of Obamas

In response to: Mrs. Obama goes to Washington

By Webster Griffin Tarpley ’66

Published in the May 13, 2009 issue

Joining in the puerile media swoon for the new White House couple with a fawning puff piece (cover story, March 18), Peter Slevin ’78 focuses on the populist deceptions of the Obamas and ignores the preponderance of predatory Wall Street interests in the new administration,...

Bedazzled by fame

In response to: Mrs. Obama goes to Washington

By Amy L. Friedman-Meguira ’79

Published in the May 13, 2009 issue

The placement of Michelle Obama’s portrait on the Nassau Inn’s Tap Room wall (Notebook, March 4) betrays society’s focus on fame in lieu of a person’s achievements. While she clearly has supported her husband, permitting him to achieve extreme career success as well as raising a...