Reading Between the Lines: Sports and Literature

January 11, 2020



Reading Between the Lines: Sports and Literature





Meg Cabot and Kathy



Katrin, Kate and Katie

The following is my essay for the 2020 Key West Literary Seminar catalog:

In March of 2017 Key West Literary Seminar board member Liz Lear presented the Literature of Sports as a potential topic for a future seminar. It was her vision to work with fellow Key West resident and renowned sports writer Frank DeFord in planning a seminar that would examine the role of sports in society as expressed in the rich literary history on the topic.

Rafael  

Geoff Dyer and Rebecca

Leanne Shapton 

Sadly Liz was never able to see her vision become reality as both she and Frank passed before the idea could come to fruition.  I was honored and more than a little apprehensive when the board voted to select “Reading Between the Lines: Sports and Literature” as the official topic for this year’s seminar and asked me to serve as committee chair.  I hope the amazing assemblage of literary talent that we have assembled will honor both Liz’s vision and Frank’s inspiration. This seminar is dedicated to their legacy.

Annelise Chen 

Lucy, Martha and Jill

Set Designer Cayman Smith-Martin

Volunteers

One of my initial concerns was that sports writing might be considered a niche that had limited appeal beyond the sports fan. But upon closer examination, I quickly came to realize the immense breadth and depth that the topic entailed, the myriad of examples of how sports and the literature surrounding it encompass so much more than final scores and wins and losses, but delve into the very nature of the human experience.

Keynote Speaker Geoff Dyar

Billy Collins

Emily Nemens and Paul Goldberger

Lionel Shriver 

Lyndsay, Kate and Jolly

The committee was quickly overwhelmed with suggestions and recommendations of possible writers and participants for this year’s seminar.  Our committee worked diligently to sort and sift through the many options and select a group that we think will be providing an incredible examination of this topic over the course of the next four days. Thanks so much to the 2020 committee composed of Executive Director Arlo Haskell, Mark Hedden, Michael Mewshaw, Michael Nelson, Hilary Parmentier and Diane Shelby. I also would like to thank my wife Katheryn Kilroy and Miles Prentiss for their assistance and input.

Arnold Rampersad 

 

Norma

Sadie and Bela

I must admit that I am a huge fan of sports and of its place in our literary heritage. Sports play a critical role in our society, at once reflecting and shaping our culture, and the writers sharing the stage this weekend will offer invaluable insights in to just how deeply ingrained and important sports is to our collective conscious. My first introduction to a major sporting event came in 1973 when I attended the Indianapolis 500 for the first time and this Memorial Day weekend I will on hand for the 49^th consecutive year of witnessing spectacle, history, heartbreak, triumph and at times tragedy.

David Maraniss 

Sadie with Amy Bass

Katie

Billy Collins with Brian Doyle Murray and his wife.

Over that time I have witnessed some major historical accomplishments, the first female driver, the first African American driver, the first victory by an Asian driver and innumerable stories of overcoming the odds in search of elusive victory. But more important than any of that, is the ritual and tradition of sharing memories with family and friends and simply enjoying the spirit of competition. I have read almost every book about the greatest spectacle in racing, yet to date I am still waiting for the great American Novel set at the Indy 500. Perhaps someone speaking this weekend will take note and take advantage of this tremendous unfulfilled opportunity. 

Arlo 

Camilla and Emily

Amy Bass, Elissa and Megan Abbott