Float Like a Butterfly

May 31, 1999

Sting Like a Ph.D.At Columbia's commencement ceremonies last Wednesday linguist Noam Chomsky argued that "athletes aren't really heroes. One just happens to play better than the others." On the dais was Muhammad Ali, who picked up an honorary doctor of laws degree. There's little benefit attached to such degrees, but recipients get to call themselves Doctor even if they can't dunk. Here are three other sports personalities who got honorary Ph.D.'s this spring, adding their names to an honor roll that includes Dr. Howe (Gordie, University of Regina, '97) and Dr. King (Don, Shaw University, '98).