Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD – Noted author and award winning sportswriter Mitch Albom of Detroit was in Little Rock on Wednesday to speak at the first annual Clinton School scholarship fundraising luncheon. Albom is author of the most famous memoir of all time: Tuesdays with Morrie–a story about his Brandeis University college professor, Morrie Schwartz, and Morrie’s battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Albom wrote the book to pay Morrie’s $120,000 medical bills, and when the publishing contract was signed three weeks before Morrie died, he was able to tell him that all his medical bills were covered. The book was on The New York Times bestseller list for 4 years, and this week, the 10th anniversary edition was released.
Albom’s remarks to the crowd of more than 600 were moving. Many people wept openly as he described Morrie’s courage and example in the face of death. He spoke powerfully for 45 minutes without using a note. It was in my opinion, the best speech ever made at the Clinton School.
Albom was introduced by Governor Mike Beebe and the two spent time at the table prior to the program talking sports. Beebe is a huge Detroit Tiger fan so the two had much in common. On other sports topics, Albom predicted the Boston Red Sox would win the baseball World Series and that Ohio State would beat Penn State in college football. Prior to the speech, he signed books and visited informally with the Clinton School students.
Eric Wilson, who coordinated the event for the Clinton School, did an incredible job.
Jim Harris of ArkansasSports360.com attended the speech and has written an excellent recap on his blog. Click here to read it.