Dear Nick... Mail From Duluth

On Wednesday, March 20, Crimson Sports Editor Nick Wurf traveled to Duluth, Minn. to begin covering the Harvard men's hockey team's NCAA quarterfinal service with the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD). On Thursday, a column he wrote appeared in The Crimson, describing Wurf's first impressions of the city.

The following dav, that article was reprinted in Duluth's News-Tribune & Herald. Some of Wurf's less-then-complimentary comments caused a small furor in the town of 100,000. He was lambasted in the local press, highlighted on Duluth evening television news, and the night of the hockey game, an enormous banner was displayed by some fans, proclaiming that "Nick Wurf is uncouth."

The controversy resumed when the News-Tribune & Herald discovered that Wurf had received a $33 speeding ticket during his stay in Duluth. This news put Wurf on the front page and fanned the flames of the issue.

During the last several weeks, The Crimson and Wurf have received a great deal of correspondence from Duluth. Following is a sampling of those letters.

All Ages

Nick Wurf

Cub Reporter

The Harvard Crimson

Boston, Massachusetts

Dear Mr. Wurf:

The signs for UMD are simple, but state a fact. You state that "There is not much to brag about here," but let me tell you-even though I'm only in 5 the grade-I still know that you're wrong. You should have researched more before you said, in a round about way, that your town is better. We have hiking in the woods, fishing in Lake Superior, on small lakes and in trout streams. I cross-country ski, and downhill ski. I play in a children's symphony (the Sinfonia), attend recitals, and play in recitals. I go to special advanced science classes and my sister goes to advanced match classes. I have season's tickets to the Duluth-Superior Symphony, and there are plays at UMD, community theater, and the Depot. I play soccer, swim, water-ski, and bike ride. Even though I do all that fishing, playing, attending concerts and studying. I still have time for a Dogs hockey, game. I live my own life, but I think the hockey, players are great and I even got some of their autographs last year after Lake Placid. I asked my Dad about Duluth "fading" and people moving. He said, "We moved to Duluth 5 years ago because Duluth is fast becoming a service center for the area. It is a regional medical center, banking center, education center, and still has a lot of grain and one shipping, with so many natural resources that the future holds promise."

I would like to invite you to dinner to discuss your article, but I might be embarrassed by your table manners if they're as inconsiderate as your article. I still think our support is not a negative thing. It helps the Bulldogs play good, clean hockey. The Dogs beat you in hockey, and I bet our town would win in a competition for the number of different activities the people enjoy doing. Carisa Misti Heltne   grade 5, age 10

Who's a Snob?

To the Editors of The Crimson:

As a form Varsity Heavyweight Oarsman, I have followed with interest Mr. Wurf's follies in his reporting efforts on the men's hockey team. Since it is hard enough for a team to win in an away contest, it is unfortunate that Mr. Wurf fanned the competitive fires of Harvard's opponents with his article on Duluth. I can understand. Hockey Coach Cleary's reported ire at Mr. Wurf, this outsider, in his efforts to report the news, instead created it, and in doing so he provided an unfortunate distraction from the team's primary goal of beating M-D in hockey game.

Regarding the April 3 article "Every Town is Our Town," it is format to see that he still has none of the "mutual respect" he so piously mentions in his last paragraph. I refer, of course, to his line in the next-to-last paragraph that "they like to assure me that all of us here at Harvard are born-and-bred snobs just as they assume that we all live on Beacon Hill and who prepped at Andover and Exeter." Mr. Wurf is implying that all those who live on Beacon Hill and who prepped at Andover and Exeter are snobs. How very snobby of Mr. Wurf. But of course, he is right in saying that a little mutual respect would go a long way, especially for him.

P.S: I neither live on Beacon Hill, nor did I prep at Andover or Exeter.   Henry K. Porter III '79   MBA '85

A Nice Town

Dear Mr. Wurf:

Your piece in the April 3 issue of the Crimson appears to indicate that you have to some extent realized the problems inherent in your initial judgement of Duluth, Minn. As a resident of that area and a Harvard student I feel compelled to point out several of the issues which you avoided in your several articles.

Duluth was once a thriving city. It can no longer be described in such terms, as you have learned. Such change is common to a number of cities across the country, and it is undoubtedly hard on the residents of each. The citizens of Duluth, in my opinion, have been excruciatingly honest in recognizing the need for adjustment in all facets of their lives. They have worked for more local jobs, recruited new industry, beautified their city, and recognized the possibilities Duluth has as a tourism center for Minnesota and the Midwest Their attempts to Real with Duluth's fading status as an industrial center cannot be labelled pathetic: indeed in my opinion they are exemplary of a brand of persistence and courage rare in this day and age. Of these qualities you make no mention.

In your article you kicked people when they were down. Duluthians are aware of many problems in their area, but they certainly never expected to be berated for their enthusiasm. They would not make fun of working-class citizens of Boston who ardently support the Boston Celtics, nor would they belittle the students and alumni of Northeastern University who support their school's football team.

The enthusiasm of Duluthians is not blind or limited. They are participants as well as supporters. Friends of mine are involved in coaching, world class curling, bowling, and amatuer softball. This is not to mention the general interest in anything outdoors: fishing, hunting, canoeing, or camping. These people teach school, counsel troubled youth, and run local businesses. A life exists for them apart from Bulldog hockey, and yet they were at the game and kidding me as I rooted for Harvard. Their pride in Bulldog hockey could be termed excessive, but it is accepted as evidence of people still interested in and proud of their community.

Mr. Wurf, who apologize for misinterpreting Duluth's status as a big city? It is not a big city, not does it aspire to be. It can only be foolish to compare it with cities such as Boston or Washington D.C. There is a big difference between two million and 100,000 people. Duluthians admit this, but are nonetheless firm in their devotion to a high standard of living. As you admitted somewhat backhandedly, the area does have a symphony, a ballet troupe, a playhouse, and popular concerts. It is the home of three colleges, not one, as you mentioned. These are certainly modest claims, but they are notable for a city of this size. They represent a commitment to a quality life only miles from some of the wildest stretches of land and water in the contiguous United States.

I spent part of an otherwise enjoyable spring break apologizing to friends and acquaintances because of your article. You have certainly not reinforced in many minds the image of Harvard as a bastion of warmheartedness and generosity. You have also no doubt hampered the efforts of Harvard admissions officers and athletic coaches who recruit talented and bright students from an area where they have had notable success. In your tounge-and-check apologies you make no reference to these issues. The Harvard Crimson is a campus newspaper, or at least should be. Your journalism has done little to promote the reputation of Harvard-Radcliffe and much to establish enmity where there need be none.   Christopher W. Johnson '86

Noblesse Oblige

Dear Nick:

You came to Duluth to report on a hockey game and ended up alienating a whole community there's got to be a lesson there someplace.

You missed the real story behind the "little signs." The people of Duluth are not Neanderthals (sic) overly wrapped up in their college hockey team. In fact, many probably don't know a face-off from a face lift. What they are acknowledging is the commitment to excellence of this group of student-athletes and their coaching staff. The difference between mediocrity and excellence in sports is very narrow, but it take extraordinary effort to bridge that gap. These players have given that effort-individually and collectively-and for that the community salutes them.

We live in a time when academic skills and orientation confer an advantage. In other times, other skills i.e. hunter, horseman, archer, etc, were more valuable[sic]. High academic achievers must realize, however, that they are in the minority in this country and certainly in the world as it is currently structured. Those of us with education can either put down our fellow man or reach down to insure that each has an opportunity to fulfill his destiny [sic].

Whether intended or not, you did a hatchet job on Duluth and its citizens, and in the process came off as a smart-assed elitist. If, in fact, that is you nature, Harvard credentials won't help you in the "real" world. If your article was an attempt at humor, I'd grade it an "F". You'll have to study more Jim Murray columns.

Well, I'd better close... have to get ready for the theater... or was it the symphony... the opera?...   Dr. Ron Zobenica

Say Vat?

Dear Editor:

Bet your boots Mike didn't tell anyone vat happen to him in Duluth, Minn. So I'm sending to you some articles about your Ace sports writer, Mike; so dat you can get some ha, his. Tell him he make headlines in big City paper.

I vood send this stuff to Mikey; but den all he wood do is tear it up, swear, and nobody get any ha, ha's. I vood of send him the playing record "This is My Shining Hour," too; but I don't trust the post mail. I think they would brake the record. It be nice for Mike to play this record vile he reads the newspaper stuff.

Now-I think I know what happens to Mike when he is in Duluth. He is figuring out a get-a-way route for escape to airport, but he gets lost in big city Duluth. Now, don't you laugh, it is easy to get lost in a big city, but Mike gets the panic too.

Yoost like the greenhorn deer hunters in the voods-when they get the lost-they get the panic. They start to run when they get this panic-but in the voods they make a big circle. After they run this big circle three or four times, they fall on the ground, because they are so tried with their tongue hanging out one foot. Then they remember they have the compass and map in their pockits. When they look at map and use compass, they come to their car, only two blocks away. Bet Mike forgot the map and compass.

Now, instead of running, Mike is in car, and he is pushing foot on the gas pedal-he thinks he is running, but he is speeding around blocks. He goes around eight-10 blocks, round and round, and he makes a square circle!!! First time in history somebuddy makes a square circle? Mike voodn't make the headlines, and just maybe the Big-a-House.

You know, the place the make little ones out I do big ones. Rocks that in. So, tell Mike to study practice swinging the sledge-hammer. Not the small won, but the won that goes a good 12 pounds, Dey don't use the small wons anymore.

Tell him to get a harmonica, and learn the song "21 Years." It's a old won but nice. First verse goes like dis:

The judge says stand up boy.

And dri up your tears,

I'm a sentencing you,

To Twenty-One Years.

We can play duct ven I come to see him in the big-a-house, on the visiting day.

I finish letter now, cause I can't think of no more to write. But I still am--   Toivo   From Hibbing, Mn.

But you half to look at map to see vere dis town is.

Tell Mike next time he come to Duluth-I be guide for him. That vay if he get lost, he be only half lost. Best you take some pictures of newspaper stuff before you give to Mike-he will eat the stuff, so nobody else sees it.