Sports Illustrated writer Frank Deford to speak in Alumni Hall tonight

Sportswriter and commentator Frank Deford will give a lecture titled “Sports and Journalism,” at 7 p.m. today at Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union. His lecture is free to the public.\nBefore Deford’s lecture, there will be a question-and-answer session for journalism students, faculty and staff at 3 p.m. in the journalism library located in Ernie Pyle Hall. \nDeford has worked for Sports Illustrated for 30 years and is currently a senior writer. He is also a commentator on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” and appears regularly on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.” \nDeford’s lecture is the last of the three-part series presented this spring by the School of Journalism. The first two speakers were Alexandra Robbins, author of “Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities,” and social and political commentator David Halberstam.\nBeth Moellers, director of communications for the School of Journalism, said she is excited for Deford’s lecture because he may be “the best known sports writer in the country.” \nMany students are thrilled by Deford’s presence on campus.\n“I love Deford’s writing. It’s great how he approaches more serious subjects by relating them to sports,” said freshman Seth Wingerter. “He does a good job of mixing humor with more touchy subjects, such as politics.”\nBeyond sports, Deford pursues other passions. For 15 years, he served as the national chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and he has written 14 books. His novel “Everybody’s All-American” and memoir “Alex: The Life of a Child” have been turned in to movies.\nThe award-winning “Alex: The Life of a Child” chronicles the life of his daughter Alexandra, who died in 1980 after a battle with cystic fibrosis.\nDeford’s lecture will focus on sports writing, as opposed to his work with cystic fibrosis. Wingerter said although he would be “interested in learning more about cystic fibrosis,” he is “definitely more excited to hear Deford talk about sports.”\nMoellers said she is especially excited for Deford’s lecture because he has had “such enthusiasm from the community and students.” Through the question-and-answer session, as well as his lecture, students will have a rare opportunity to spend time with such a renowned journalist. Moellers said there isn’t a “better person for the students to have a chance to meet.”