Author Matt Robinson - LIONS, TIGERS, AND…BULLDOGS? 

You may know that HARVARD was the first college in the United States or that PENN is the oldest university. You may even know that the YALE mascot is named Handsome Dan or that BROWN'S first bear was named Helen. Perhaps you are aware that PRINCETON has a battleship and an asteroid named for it or that CORNELL'S colors inspired the design for Campbell's soup. And who can forget that “Animal House” was written by a DARTMOUTH grad and that the atom bomb was developed at COLUMBIA?

But did you know that one of these schools once had a burro for a mascot and another an orange man? Or that students at two of them throw food at sporting events? Do you know where students can request songs to be played on the campus bell tower, which school uses Pantone 290 for its official color, and which has the oldest continuously-published daily student newspaper?

All this and more can be learned in Matt Robinson’s book, "Lions, Tigers, and…Bulldogs? An unofficial guide to the legends and lore of the Ivy League."

Since graduating from Penn (where Matt wrote halftime shows for the Penn Band and spent time with Penn's mascot, the Fighting Quaker), Matt has been an English teacher, boxing coach, and professional writer who has published over 6,000 pieces in more than 250 international publications. He also writes, edits, and handles communications for individuals and institutions around the world.  Matt can be seen as the host of The Writer’s Block on the Needham Channel.

This talk is sponsored by the Needham Free Public Library and the Library Foundation of Needham.  Books will be available for purchase and autographing as the conclusion of the talk.