As one Ivy Leaguer to another...

I refuse to believe that my title of Editor and Chairman of the Board of Newsweek had anything to do with my being asked to deliver the half-time remarks for Harvard during Newsweek's 1972 Ivy League football series. (Both my Harvard and Newsweek colleagues are far too independent for that.) The double job does, however, put me in a unique position to explain Newsweek's special interest in sponsoring such a project.

First, it seems to me that these great old colleges which started many of us off in life, and responsible journals such as Newsweek, are on the same side of the fence in many ways. Both are after the truth, objectively and without favor, as closely as it can be found. The "Veritas" of the college escutcheon is a lot more than a sentiment.

I think the analogy also applies to Ivy League athletic competition. There is a similar need to remain keen, limber and tough, and be able to keep your eye on the clock when you have to. It may well be that good journalism, like a game well played, leaves behind a record as memorable as the legendary accomplishments of any athletic immortal you care to name.

And finally, as a senior business official of the magazine, I was obviously impressed by the kind of audience we had a chance to reach with these broadcasts—people important to us far beyond their numbers in terms of business and professional influence as well as editorial preference.

As I noted on the air on November 25th, Newsweek will be out-there sponsoring the Ivy League football broacasts again in 1973; and I hope you will be out there listening.

Newsweek