Dad was a Sports Publicity Director for two major Southern
Universities--Clemson and Univ. of Florida, which put him in charge of the Press Box at
every football game. I could attend every game and roam the press box--free.
My job was to pass sandwiches to the Sports Writers
                Growing up in the South in the 1940's and 50's was fun, even
for a kid named Sherman.  I was there when people stood while singing "Dixie"
at all public events while the tune was played by a large band with spirit.
All the while, a huge Confederate battle flag was waved before the croud. That
scene happened at EVERY sporting event in the South and was repeated at every
other public event.  To us, it had everything to do with our homes and heritage
and nothing to do with segregation or slavery, but I can now understand how
others could see the gesture in a different light. At Some time, some place the
tradition died.
                In 1952 my father accepted a job as Editor of the NCAA Bureau
magazine in New York. That summer, a childhood best-friend from Gainesville,
Florida came up by train and I met him at Grand Central Station. We were 13
and he was on his way to summer camp in CT. Yes, kids that age roamed the city
back then! Mom had given me money to treat Charles to a show at Radio City
Music Hall. Ironically during the stage show, the orchestra played "Dixie" as part
of the show. On impulse, and without cracking a smile, Chrales and I stood up
and begin singing. We looked around only to realize we were the only two
standing in a packed house. It was there we first realized that not everyone in
the world shared our heritage.
Ed Sherman

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