There are just some newspaper articles that make you open up your email and ask for an in-person visit. Earlier this year, a Washington Post article about Chris Nowinski ’00 did just that. Part of the reason was the obvious Harvard connection – Chris, the co-founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, had been an All-Ivy defensive tackle for the Crimson, and the article was discussing the untimely and unfortunate death of his college teammate, Christopher Eitzmann ’99. Another part of it, however, was the urgency of the subject matter: each passing day makes it more clear that something has to be done to protect and heal people who sustain concussions.
Please join us for dinner and a conversation between Chris and Washington Post reporter Kent Babb, discussing Chris’s work and the importance of taking action.
About the speaker:
Chris Nowinski ’00 discovered the concussion crisis the hard way. He followed his time as an All-Ivy defensive lineman with a turn as a professional wrestler, but 2003 kick to the chin in a WWE match ended his career, causing Post-Concussion Syndrome and sending him to the office of his eventual CLF co-founder Dr. Robert Cantu. Through Dr. Cantu, Chris was first exposed to medical research that revealed to him that concussions and brain trauma were misunderstood in the sports world. Dr. Nowinski earned his doctorate in Behavioral Neuroscience from Boston University School of Medicine and has authored more than 30 scientific publications. VICE Sports called him “the man most responsible for making CTE part of the national conversation,” and Sports Illustrated said, “It is Nowinski’s figure which looms behind the doctors and the headlines and the debate roiling over sports’ newfound commitment to minimizing head trauma.”
Buffet Menu:
Salad
Mixed Greens Salad
Grape tomatoes, cucumbers, carrot and croutons with ranch dressing and balsamic vinaigrette
Entrées
Dijon and Herb Crusted Tri-Tip Steak (GF)
Accompanied by roasted tri-color fingerling potatoes
Maryland Crab Cakes
Old bay roasted potatoes and lemon mustard sauce
Beyond Meat Cacciatore (Vegan, GF)
Topped with mushroom, grilled onion and roasted
tomatoes
Sides
Roasted Haricots Verts & Baby Carrots (Vegan, GF)
Basmati Rice Pilaf (Vegan, GF)
Dessert
Chef’s assorted sweets
Plus beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee & tea
Dress Code: Business Casual
Covid-related Safety Requirements: If you have recently tested positive or have symptoms, please do not attend this event. The Club encourages everyone to be vaccinated and boosted, and to follow other prevention steps recommended by the CDC and local public health authorities.
