On Wednesday, March 20, Crimson Sports Editor Nick Wurf traveled to Duluth, Minn. to begin covering the Harvard men's hockey team's NCAA quarterfinal service with the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD). On Thursday, a column he wrote appeared in The Crimson, describing Wurf's first impressions of the city.

The following dav, that article was reprinted in Duluth's News-Tribune & Herald. Some of Wurf's less-then-complimentary comments caused a small furor in the town of 100,000. He was lambasted in the local press, highlighted on Duluth evening television news, and the night of the hockey game, an enormous banner was displayed by some fans, proclaiming that "Nick Wurf is uncouth."

The controversy resumed when the News-Tribune & Herald discovered that Wurf had received a $33 speeding ticket during his stay in Duluth. This news put Wurf on the front page and fanned the flames of the issue.

During the last several weeks, The Crimson and Wurf have received a great deal of correspondence from Duluth. Following is a sampling of those letters.

All Ages

Nick Wurf

Cub Reporter

The Harvard Crimson

Boston, Massachusetts

Dear Mr. Wurf:

The signs for UMD are simple, but state a fact. You state that "There is not much to brag about here," but let me tell you-even though I'm only in 5 the grade-I still know that you're wrong. You should have researched more before you said, in a round about way, that your town is better. We have hiking in the woods, fishing in Lake Superior, on small lakes and in trout streams. I cross-country ski, and downhill ski. I play in a children's symphony (the Sinfonia), attend recitals, and play in recitals. I go to special advanced science classes and my sister goes to advanced match classes. I have season's tickets to the Duluth-Superior Symphony, and there are plays at UMD, community theater, and the Depot. I play soccer, swim, water-ski, and bike ride. Even though I do all that fishing, playing, attending concerts and studying. I still have time for a Dogs hockey, game. I live my own life, but I think the hockey, players are great and I even got some of their autographs last year after Lake Placid. I asked my Dad about Duluth "fading" and people moving. He said, "We moved to Duluth 5 years ago because Duluth is fast becoming a service center for the area. It is a regional medical center, banking center, education center, and still has a lot of grain and one shipping, with so many natural resources that the future holds promise."

I would like to invite you to dinner to discuss your article, but I might be embarrassed by your table manners if they're as inconsiderate as your article. I still think our support is not a negative thing. It helps the Bulldogs play good, clean hockey. The Dogs beat you in hockey, and I bet our town would win in a competition for the number of different activities the people enjoy doing. Carisa Misti Heltne   grade 5, age 10

Who's a Snob?

To the Editors of The Crimson:

As a form Varsity Heavyweight Oarsman, I have followed with interest Mr. Wurf's follies in his reporting efforts on the men's hockey team. Since it is hard enough for a team to win in an away contest, it is unfortunate that Mr. Wurf fanned the competitive fires of Harvard's opponents with his article on Duluth. I can understand. Hockey Coach Cleary's reported ire at Mr. Wurf, this outsider, in his efforts to report the news, instead created it, and in doing so he provided an unfortunate distraction from the team's primary goal of beating M-D in hockey game.