Column

My biggest regret after three years of writing for the Spectator is that I never learned what the “M” in Athletic Director Dr. M. Diane Murphy’s name stands for. Maude? Myrtle? Murphy? The failure will haunt my days.

Language is sexist. This is a fairly self-evident fact given that language, as the way we express ourselves, is the repository of our cultural mores. It reflects our understanding, our value system, and our stereotypes.

Long hours, dull work, no pay. What activity fits this description? Prison work? No—writing and editing for Spec Sports.

When most think about Columbia in 1968, they think about those days when the frustration of over 700 students boiled over into visceral retaliation.

Before I start this column, I want to give a shout-out to the Columbia baseball team.

Heading into the 2007-2008 academic year, the thought of a Columbia team heading to an NCAA Tournament was a popular idea. We all just had the wrong tournament and the wrong team.

Over the past two years—four seasons—one Columbia athlete has caught the attention of a media outlet—the New York Times—and the adoration of many Columbia fans.

Because of a sudden emergency, Joshua “Offside” Robinson couldn’t write his column for today, so I stepped up in his place. (Josh, Dr. Gorsline is the finest proctologist in New York City. We all wish you the best.)

I’m going to state something that seems totally obvious—springtime might be the most enjoyable time to be a Columbian.

Later this month the NFL will host its 2008 amateur draft, replenishing the league with new talent and rejuvenating the bottom dwellers of the sport. Many of the top selections will already be household names for sports fans because of their years starring for their respective college programs, giving teams a head start on marketing.