Readers Write
Holy Cross Magazine welcomes letters regarding the magazine's content. Letters intended for publication must be signed and may be edited for style, length and clarity. Opinions expressed in the letters section do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration or the editorial staff.
Letters to the Editor
“The Place for Athletics”
It was an honor to be featured in the “Class Notes” section of the winter Holy Cross Magazine for my work as an art museum curator. If I had known that the cover story would be about the place of athletics at Holy Cross, I would have shared with the interviewer my experience on the varsity women's crew team at Holy Cross. Our coach (Tom Sullivan ’70) was as powerful a force as my academic mentors and what I learned in the boat was an extremely important complement to what I learned in the classroom.
My choice to pursue a Junior Year Abroad did bring my crew career to an end (and set me on my professional path), but I treasure the lessons learned about teamwork, collaboration, focus, hard work, discipline, friendship and levity. Collegiate athletics shouldn't overshadow academics, but they can offer great training for the challenges, choices, and the balancing act that life after college presents.
Charlotte Eyerman ’87
St. Louis, Mo.
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“Recognition”
I read your recent story about Holy Cross athletics with some interest, particularly the part where it was suggested that no one recognizes Holy Cross outside of the Northeast. A few years ago, Holy Cross upset Minnesota in the NCAA ice hockey tournament. Now, when I wear my Holy Cross hockey T-shirt to Best Buy or the ball park, I get big smiles and “Go Holy Cross!” from snowbirds who identify themselves as North Dakota fans (Minnesota's archrival). My T-shirt also attracts attention from expatriate Minnesotans living in Arizona, though theirs is somewhat less enthusiastic than the North Dakotans’.
Jim McManus ’70
Phoenix, Ariz.
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“Fr. Nelligan”
Several months ago I returned from living overseas and upon reading the issues of HCM that were waiting for me at home, I learned that one of my favorite priests, Father Paul Nelligan, S.J., had passed away. Fr. Nelligan and I had a special friendship. During my junior year abroad in Dijon, France, I happened to send him a postcard upon learning that he was recovering from an illness. I had never met him before, but a schoolwide e-mail notified the campus. Fr. Nelligan responded to me with a sweet note in which he thanked me for my prayers, and, when I returned to the Hill for my senior year, we struck up a friendship. He invited me to several dinners at Ciampi (those are the best!) and told me about his days working in the Archives department of Dinand. Once you got Fr. Nelligan talking, he didn’t want to stop! And I loved hearing his stories and his genuine words of encouragement. I know that many alums echo my sentiments in saying he will be missed. They undoubtedly remember, as I do, seeing Fr. Nelligan strolling around campus on any given day—sometimes even in the bitter Worcester cold—stopping to talk to anyone who crossed his path.
Ashley M. Michalek ’06
Richmond, Texas
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“The Worcester Issue”
Connecting with Worcester was all part of the job at campus radio station WCHC since we broadcasted to and served the entire city—both town and gown. The connections included residents phoning in to request songs or comment, occasional press coverage, and contact with community representatives and organizations. Over my four years at WCHC, my appreciation and love for the city grew. During my senior year we launched a weekly talk show, “In the City,” which interviewed guests such as Francis McGrath ’30, then the city manager. He never even told me he was a Holy Cross graduate—the focus of the interview was Worcester. That was perfect for a show that brought Worcester topics to students at all the colleges and universities in town. The city loved us back—it was always exciting to see WCHC bumper stickers on residents’ cars. Thanks for giving Worcester the spotlight.
Steve Schildwachter ’85
Chicago, Ill.
