Actor Matthew Fox to Speak at CC Class Day

Seniors React to Announcement With Confusion, Dissatisfaction
By: Josh Hirschland

Posted: 3/7/07

Columbia College Dean Austin Quigley announced on Monday that actor Matthew Fox, CC '89, will speak at this May's Class Day, sparking outrage among many seniors who expressed disappointment in the choice.

Fox, who plays Dr. Jack Shephard on ABC's Lost and formerly played Charlie Salinger on Party of Five, follows in the footsteps of Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., Robert Kraft, CC '63 and owner of the New England Patriots, and playwright Tony Kushner, CC '78, who have spoken at the last three Class Days.

All Class Day speakers must be affiliated with Columbia College in some way, meaning that alumni, faculty, or family of students are all eligible to speak. David Chait, CC senior class president, said that Fox was selected for his achievements as an actor, his commitment to Columbia, and his ability to represent the diverse group of students who graduate from Columbia.

"He'll be able to give a speech that isn't just about me, me Matthew Fox, but also about the Columbia experience," Chait said in an interview before the announcement. "I've heard wonderful things about him, and it appears to be a perfect match."

Chait said that while the selection committee went into this year's selection process with an "open mind," it was collectively "happy" that this year's speaker is not likely to spark divisions within the class. Some students protested McCain's speech last year by passing out 100 umbrellas and 800 buttons that read, "McCain does not speak for me."

But the committee may have traded contention for confusion and dissatisfaction. One senior leaving the announcement said, "This sucks," while another one said, "They obviously couldn't find anybody. He had to be 29th on the list."

Immediately after Quigley made the announcement, many could be heard muttering about the identity of the alumnus, a confusion that only partially subsided after Quigley played a slideshow of Fox's photos over a rendition of The Final Countdown.

"I've never heard of this guy. The years before got a Pulitzer Prize-winner and a potential presidential candidate," Julia Kite, CC '07, said. "I suppose that after what happened last year, they wanted someone less controversial."

Not all were displeased with the announcement.

"It's awesome, really awesome. Better than McCain," Anna Politzer, CC '07, said.

Chait added that he is working to make the criticism "constructive" by relaying complaints about the choice-and specifically about the rule stating that only members of the "Columbia College family" can be invited to speak-to administrators.

During his time at Columbia, Fox, who holds a B.A. in economics, was a wide receiver on the Lions' varsity football team. During his senior year, he played in the game in which Columbia broke the University's record-setting 44-game losing streak. According to Chait, he was also a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

The 15-person selection committee, comprised of members of the senior class council, evaluated a number of candidates before settling on Fox, according to Chait. "We went through a list of pretty much every living alumnus who has done anything in their life ... from politicians to writers to people who have been successful in business," he said.

Before he made the announcement, Quigley waxed nostalgic about the assembled seniors who are set to graduate in 72 days.

"It doesn't get much better than being a member of the Columbia College class of 2007," Quigley said. "There aren't many groups with your set of talents and abilities. ... For all of us, it's just been great to have you around here."

This year's speech will be held on Tuesday, May 15, the day before University-wide commencement.

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© Copyright 2007 Columbia Daily Spectator
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Ex-Yank Williams still setting example

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070520&content_id=1976931&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

NEW YORK -- For about two hours Sunday, the Theater at Madison Square Garden sounded a lot like Yankee Stadium.
That's because with Bernie Williams on hand to speak at Iona College's graduation commencement, hundreds of fans turned up the volume to show their love for the veteran outfielder.

When the moderator first introduced him, the serenity of the proceeding was broken with a "Let's go Bernie," from a male student sitting in the first few rows. Then, as Williams approached the lectern, he waited for 30 seconds as about half the graduating students and hundreds of family members and guests stood up in support.

They were cheering, whistling, clapping and chanting the ever familiar -- BER-NIE ... BER-NIE ... BER-NIE.

It was almost as if the Bleacher Creatures were there.

On their way to get their diplomas, several students stepped out of their way to go over to Williams' seat to shake his hand, showing appreciation for 16 exciting seasons in the Bronx.

There were at least two hugs and a peck on the cheek from female students, and one more seeking an autograph.

It was all in good fun, and Williams, as well as the esteemed Iona faculty sitting with him, seemed to appreciate the frivolity mixed in with the pomp and circumstance.

"Don't be afraid to take risks. Make the most of your journey. Make it fun and exciting," said Williams, who talked for almost 10 minutes about the start of his baseball career as a nervous 17-year-old in the Yankees organization as well as his endeavors as an accomplished musician.

"My experience over 17 years playing with the Yankees, these are a few of the things that I've learned. You've got to have a plan of action," said Williams, who received an honorary doctorate of humane letters. "You have to stay focused on the things you can control, and don't get discouraged or distracted by the things you cannot control."

One thing he couldn't control much was a return to the Yankees -- the only organization he has ever played for -- for a 17th season.

The 38-year-old Williams contemplated all winter whether to come back and play in 2007, with teammates hinting he would only do so for the Yankees. But New York offered Williams only a Minor League deal with the opportunity to earn a roster spot in Spring Training -- which he declined.

Brought back in 2006 as a reserve, Williams played much more than expected after long-term injuries to outfielders Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield, hitting .281 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs in 131 games.

But Williams is currently out of baseball, and after 287 home runs, 1,257 RBIs, a .297 average, five All-Star Games, four Gold Gloves, four World Series championships, a batting title and a great deal of postseason acclaim, the cheers he heard Sunday may have been a fond farewell.

So he offered these final words to Iona's graduating class of 2007:

"I know there's certain things regarding your job or whatever you may end up doing [that you don't like], but I'm here to tell you, don't let your job define who you are. Your relationships will define who you are," Williams said. "No matter what you choose to do in life ... you are going to be in a position to make an impact on somebody's life."

Peter Zellen is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Mariano Rivera - the bigger save!

Bigger saves ahead

By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports
May 17, 2007

CHICAGO – In baseball's offseason, Mariano Rivera delivers trucks full of bicycles and toy cars and dolls to children in the upper reaches of Panama's Cordillera Central mountain range. Some recognize him, only because Rivera is among the most well-known people in his country. More recognize his generosity before his celebrity.

"We know that toys are only temporary because they're just material," Rivera said. "Bringing them a sense of hope – that is eternal."

Here in the United States, where he wears a New York Yankees jersey, Rivera has never been about hope. He has been the Yankees' Gibraltar, their talisman of assurance, their infallible piece amid the game's – and team's – changes. It is the dual existence he leads, pillar of certainty in one place and beacon of what can be in another, and, Rivera admits, it is what will eventually pull him away from baseball once and for all.

With poverty levels exceeding 40 percent throughout Panama and as high as 90 percent in some indigenous areas, the idea of returning home for good – to work with first lady Vivian Torrijos building churches and schools, as he has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to do, and trying to lessen the canyon-sized divide between the country's rich and poor – does tug at Rivera.

"Baseball is what I do," Rivera said, "but it's not who I am. After baseball, there's life. And what am I going to do? What God wants me to do."


While Rivera refuses to put a timetable on his retirement, he will turn 38 in November, he is in the final year of his contract and has struggled as much in this season's first six weeks as any time in his 13-year career. The 10 earned runs he has yielded are almost as many as he does in an average season. The pitch he throws almost exclusively – a 95-mph cut fastball that has sawed off more pieces of maple than a lumberjack – has lacked the bite of seasons past.
And, hey, it's not an April in New York if tabloid editors haven't tossed around the idea of burying Rivera on a back page with a NO MO headline.

"The highest compliment you can pay him is that when a couple saves get away from him, people say, 'What's wrong with him?' " Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "It's irritating, but it shows the standard he has set."

Truth is, Rivera said "there's plenty" left in his right arm, and six scoreless outings among his last seven – a tie-breaking home run that led to a loss the ugly blemish – do nothing to dispel that. Torre, and the Yankees by proxy, listen to Rivera's words as if they were canons.

Rivera's passion toward the game, he said, will influence the longevity of his career as much as any factor, and its presence remains.

"It's amazing the feeling I still get putting on this uniform," Rivera said. "It makes me proud."

Just as Rivera has done it proud. The last player to wear Jackie Robinson's No. 42, Rivera has earned himself a place in the record books with 34 postseason saves, in Yankees lore with 416 more in the regular season, plus four World Series rings, and in the Baseball Hall of Fame with the combination of it all.

"I'll keep handing him the ball," Torre said, "until he walks out the door."

Almost eight years ago, Rivera believed he would long have stepped through it by now. In the winter following the Yankees' third championship in four years, Rivera told The New York Times he planned on playing four more seasons, then retiring to minister to his Pentecostal church.

Reminded of his pledge, Rivera laughed and shook his head, as if to say, "Ah, youthful indiscretions." His sentiment, though noble, clashed with his drive.

So it's easy to wonder whether the specter of Rivera retiring really is just that: a mirage, an illusion, something that will vanish if he rips off a streak of 20 consecutive scoreless innings, of which he's still more than capable.

Twelve months of his dedication could mean infinitely more to Panama than the 100 days that comprise his offseason.

"I'm in the position where I have to give all I can," Rivera said. "I can't be stingy. Selfishness leads to an unforgiving end. There are a lot of people that need, and if you've been blessed and do nothing, you're not getting the job done.

"I love to help. This is something I'm supposed to be doing. I want to do this. I want to be able to put a smile on some kid's face."

No one in the Yankees organization wants to acknowledge that day will come. For so long they've been insulated from the helter-skelter world of a shaky ninth inning. Oh, they remember Sandy Alomar's home run in 1997, Rivera's first year as closer, that knocked the Yankees from the playoffs, and Luis Gonzalez's hit that ended the 2001 World Series, and Dave Roberts' stolen base that ruined their sheen of invincibility.

Though Rivera sports a few chinks, nobody does what he does. Not Trevor Hoffman, the San Diego Padres' maestro and baseball's all-time saves leader, who freely admits Rivera is peerless in the most literal sense. Not Jonathan Papelbon, the Boston Red Sox closer who matches Rivera's fastball velocity and comes with an equally filthy splitter. Not Dennis Eckersley, whose excellence rivaled Rivera's but whose longevity lagged, nor Gosse Gossage, whose longevity exceeded Rivera's but whose prime years couldn't match up.

There is only one Mariano Rivera, and soon enough, when his work here is done, he will return home for a far greater mission.

"While I want to be a good closer here," Rivera said, "I want to be the best closer in the kingdom of God."

Jeff Passan is a national baseball writer for Yahoo! Sports. Send Jeff a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
Updated on Thursday, May 17, 2007 4:54 pm EDT

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