Audience bowled over by Atherton’s lecture

Rob Steen, Michael Atherton, Jed Novick

Published on 20/01/2013 16:20

Sports students should not be put off from attending university because of higher fees, according to former England cricket captain and award-winning sports writer Mike Atherton OBE.

Atherton was speaking at the University of Brighton’s Annual Sports Journalism Lecture which attracted more than 200 people to the School of Sport and Service Management’s lecture theatre at Hillbrow, Eastbourne on January 10.

Atherton, who was educated at Cambridge University, said: “I would encourage everyone who can to go to university – the skills taught are worthwhile.”

There were, he said, successful cricketers including current England captain Alastair Cook who chose not to go on to higher education, but he said he would not hesitate: “It’s a good thing to go to university.”

Atherton became England captain at the age of 25 and set a record by leading the national team in 54 Test matches and playing more than 100.

He retired at the end of the 2001 Ashes. Atherton has subsequently become an acclaimed sports writer, TV commentator and author, winning the British Journalism Award as both a specialist and feature writer.

He said Test cricket was under threat from shorter versions of the game but it will be strengthened when, as he believes will happen, the 50-over game is phased out, leaving the two extremes, Test matches and Twenty20.

Cricket dominated the 44-year-old legend’s life but he chose other sports for his 2012 highlights.

His top magic moments in the year were: Europe’s golfing “Miracle in Medinah” Ryder Cup win over the USA, which he attended, and Mo Farah’s second gold medal, in the 10,000 metres, during the Olympics: “Mo just wasn’t going to let the guy behind him catch him.”

The evening was hosted by Rob Steen, senior lecturer with the School of Sport and Service Management.

It was organised by Rob and Jed Novick, sports journalism senior lecturer.

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Audience bowled over by Atherton’s lecture

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