As an everyday reader of The Daily Free Press, I look forward to Tuesday afternoons to find the weekly hot dog column. I have read many opinion pieces on my way to the sports page, and I often think they are very intriguing and consider excellent reforms. But last Thursday, was different, with the letter to the editor, “Fadem’s columns need research,” which has driven me to become a furious writer as opposed to the happy reader I once was (Nov. 8, p. 5).

Alex Dal Porto starts off by saying that Fadem is a “mockery” and “shouldn’t even be allowed to consider himself a journalist.” I understand journalism requires research, and in order to create a solid story one should have information from interviews. But isn’t journalism also about stimulating ideas, shaping people’s views and informing the public? If you ask me, this is exactly what Fadem does with his column. We are not reading The Wall Street Journal; you can find those in the School of Management. This is The Daily Free Press, and it’s student run for a reason: so people can express their own views without an institution coming down on them.

Also, Dal Porto says Fadem writes like “an uninformed fan who looks like an idiot wearing a hot dog costume.” Clearly, Porto is the one who hasn’t done his research. Fortunately, I have. Fadem happened to be at every single home hockey and basketball game last season (including some away games) dressed in, you guessed it, the hot dog suit.

On top of this, Fadem knows more about the BU hockey team than anyone I’ve seen or heard of. Dal Porto probably wouldn’t know that, though, considering he’s confused about what Jason Lawrence’s old number was. I also happen to know that Fadem is good friends with almost everyone on the BU basketball team and is acquainted with most of the hockey team, which is more than most can say. Dal Porto also suggests getting an interview with Jack Parker. He must not have been informed, but even prospective players have a difficult time getting an interview with “the” Jack Parker.

So again, what’s wrong with BU? I would say the main problem is the lack of unity and togetherness on campus. Brian Fadem is doing everything he can to bring unity to BU. The hot dog isn’t just a costume; it’s a symbol of what it means to be a fan. We all belong to our respective colleges, but Fadem is a student of the game. He pumps up the crowd, starts chants, heckles, attends almost every Dog Pound meeting and runs the Facebook group “The Official Committee of Threatening and Harassing.” He is the most dedicated fan I’ve seen in my life. So lighten up, make Lawrence change his number back and let the Hot Dog live.

Christopher Deacon

CGS ’10