Patents and sports

The Economist of March 7-13 is reporting that the percentage of American patents awarded to Chinese and Indian nationals working in this country tripled between the years 2000 and 2004, and that by 2005, 40 percent of Intel’s patents went to those two groups. Americans are receiving fewer and fewer science and technology patents over time. I bring this to your attention because March is NCAA time, and the two topics are related: In 2008, for example, UConn’s men’s basketball graduation rate was 22 percent. Just over one in five players at that great ball school graduated. Other perennial top contenders’ graduation rates vary but are still shockingly low. But imagine how proud we would be if one of our own were in the Big Dance. Here he is, almost 30 years old, about to age-out of college ball but without enough credits to graduate. Go straight to WalMart, do not pass go, do not collect $200. The dream of sports at Delaware Valley High School. Tom, Jay and Al, we love you. Tony Splendora Milford