Acclaimed Sports Columnist, Author to Kick off SUNY Canton Spring Living Writers Series
Thursday, January 24th, 2013SUNY Canton will continue its popular Living Writers Series next month with New York Times sports columnist and bestselling author William C. Rhoden.
Rhoden will be discussing his work at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the Convocation, Athletic and Recreation Center nicknamed Roos House. The event is free and open to the public.
William Rhoden, author of “Forty Million Dollar Slaves,” will answer questions about his writing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Roos House.
“Focusing on the juggernaut of professional sports, Rhoden forces us to examine and question some of the fundamental ideas our culture has to offer about race, power, and history,” said Assistant Professor of English Phil LaMarche, who created the series to allow students enrolled in his Living Writers Course to meet and hear from the authors whose books they are required to read in class.
Rhoden is perhaps best known for his book “Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete,” which deals with the challenging issue of the status of the black athlete in contemporary America. Using the pervasive metaphor of the plantation, Rhoden describes a modern sports industry defined by white ownership and black labor.
During a journalism career that has spanned more than three decades, Rhoden has tackled complex issues in the sports world. He has written “The Sports of the Times” column since 1990, and his work has been included in a number of anthologies including “The Best American Sports Writing 2007.” Rhoden is also a frequent guest on ESPN’s long-running Sunday morning show, “The Sports Reporters.”
Rhoden’s accolades include a Peabody Award for his writing on the HBO documentary “Journey of the African American Athlete.” Most recently, he wrote the HBO documentary “Breaking the Huddle,” about the integration of College Football, which won a 2009 Emmy for outstanding Documentary Film. He is also author of the critically acclaimed book, “Third and A Mile: The Trials and Triumphs of The Black Quarterback.”
Rhoden will answer questions and be available for book signings after the event. Copies of “Forty Million Dollar Slaves” will be available for purchase.
Upcoming presenters will include Iain Haley Pollock, author of “Spit Back a Boy,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, and Siobhan Fallon, author of “You Know When the Men Are Gone,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24. Both events will be held in the College’s Kingston Theater and are free and open to the public.
Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Manager, or call 315/386-7527.
