For Immediate Release -
Contact: Mark Swartz: 781-329-7404

Dedham Square Circle Presents Free Public Forum on the Impact of Sports on Our Lives, Culture, and Values
On Tuesday evening, September 18 at 7:00 pm, the Dedham Square Circle presents a free public program entitled Is It Only a Game: Are We Crazy about Sports, or Are Sports Making Us Crazy? This panel discussion and community forum will be moderated by Bill Littlefield, host of the popular National Public Radio (NPR) sports magazine Only a Game, which is produced locally at 90.9 WBUR Boston. Is It Only a Game? will take place at the Allin Congregational Church, 683 High Street in Dedham, just outside Dedham Square. For further information, go to the Dedham Square Circle web page, www.dedhamsquarecircle.org, or call the church office weekdays at 781-326-5050.

Is It Only a Game? includes several notable panelists from the worlds of sports, journalism, and government in addition to Bill Littlefield.  Charlie Pierce, staff writer for The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, frequent contributor to the The American Prospect and Slate magazines, and analyst on Only a Game, will join Cathy Inglese, head coach of Boston College’s successful women’s basketball team, Peter Roby, Northeastern’s athletic director and former director of the school’s Sport in Society program, Randy Vataha, one-time New England Patriots wide receiver and now president of a sports management firm, and Nora Mann, Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General, in a wide-ranging discussion of the many impacts of sports on our society.

According to Mark Swartz, lead event organizer, “This forum will explore whether or not our region’s and nation’s passion for sports has gone ‘over the top.’ Our panelists will address topics such as the influence of money on youth sports, parental violence at youth sports, commercialism in sports at all levels, excessive salaries paid to professional athletes, and whether our society supports sports at the expense of the arts and addressing social ills. Our format will allow plenty of time for the audience to direct questions to our panelists, so there should be a good deal of give and take.”

An informal reception will immediately follow the forum.  Bill Littlefield and Charlie Pierce will be on-hand to sign copies of their most recent books.  Bill Littlefield is the author of Only a Game, a collection of his commentaries and essays due out shortly before the event. Charlie Pierce is the author of the 2006 book Moving the Chains: Tom Brady and the Pursuit of Everything. Both books will be on sale at the event, courtesy of the Dedham Square shop The Blue Bunny.

The Dedham Square Circle is a grassroots civic organization whose mission is to improve historic Dedham Square as a strong, vital, and unique neighborhood where members of the community can live, work, and shop. Dedham Square is the Town of Dedham’s historic town center, the location of the Norfolk County Offices and Courts, and a walkable commercial and residential area with a variety of restaurants, specialty shops, services, professional offices, and civic organizations. The Dedham Community Theatre, which presents art and independent films and hosts live comedy shows, is a prime resident and is celebrating its 80th year in 2007.  The Dedham Square Circle hopes that Is It Only a Game? will inaugurate a series of public forums concerning important topics in public affairs and popular culture. 

Additional cosponsors of this September 18 program include 90.9 WBUR-FM Boston, a local NPR affiliate, Hebrew Senior Life, developer of the continuing care community and multigenerational campus NewBridge on the Charles, the Vanderbilt Club, a Norwood health club, and Jefferson at Dedham Station, a luxury rental community. Allin Congregational Church, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and one of the oldest churches in the United States, is the event host and has provided important logistical support.