COMMENTS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

YOU MAY RECALL that a printing glitch in the Fall 2022 edition of Hamilton magazine resulted in a cover that rendered darker than we originally intended. After the issue hit mailboxes, we followed up with an email to readers pointing out that, although the cover story featured Hamilton’s cemetery, the image was not meant to be maudlin or gloomy — in fact, the stories we told of the cemetery’s inhabitants were intended to celebrate some rather fascinating lives.

We received many notes from readers in response to our email, including a surprising number who liked the dark cover. We’re just happy you are all reading!

MIGHT BE A MINORITY opinion, but I thought the dark quality of the photo was an inspired match for the headline and the article title, and I was immediately impressed by the way the magazine was breaking free of the mold. I thought to myself, more or less verbatim, “This is great work from the same minds who just won an award for the issue last year. It is so awesome how they are pushing the envelope on what an alumni magazine might look like.”

Archives-directed corrections notwithstanding, I think you should put the cover (and/or the issue as a whole) up for whatever awards there are for such things.

Benjamin Widiss, associate professor of literature and creative writing

Hamilton’s All-American goalie Don Spencer ’59 was Gene Long’s model for hockey’s first form-fitting fiberglass facemask. On April 28, 1959, Spencer wrote to Jacques Plante, goalie for the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens, to tell him about the invention, pictured here.

The following is not a letter to Hamilton magazine, but a sentiment with which may alumni will agree. On Nov. 25, 2022, hockey historian Stan Fischler wrote in his weekly column for The Hockey News

About Hamilton College And Goalie Masks

Several years ago, I was honored to attend Clinton, N.Y.’s nomination as Hockeytown USA. While there, I visited the legendary Hamilton College on the hill and learned something I never knew before.

That is, although Jacques Plante was the first NHL goalie to regularly wear a full mask — Nov. 1, 1959, versus the Rangers — the creator of the first mask was Hamilton’s athletic director, Gene Long.

Long’s mask, developed in 1955, was more practical than Plante’s and looked less grotesque. That was a good 63 years ago. I bring it up now to commemorate the passing of Long and suggest that his mask innovation qualifies him for the USA Hockey Hall of Fame.

Gene Long, who served as professor of physical education, coach, trainer, and athletics director at Hamilton from 1953 to 1991, died on Nov. 18, 2022, at the age of 93. Readers can find his memorial biography at hamilton.edu/genelong.