In defense of Sk8er Boi
Dear Andy,
I would like to introduce myself. My name is James Thomas Hofmann, aka “sk8er boi.”
I would first like to thank you for comparing me with two world-class athletes such as Brian Boitano and Tony Hawk. I understand that your article was just an opinion and that it was supposed to be funny, in a jealous tabloid journalism kind of way. It’s always easier to make fun of someone for doing something different than it is to compliment them, good for you.
I do, however, feel that the record should be set straight.
I did not come off the street, I’m not in my 30’s and I manage a medical software company during the day, which is why you see me around the lunch hour.
I’ve been rollerblading on these “hallowed” grounds for over 16 years. I have had family and friends attend school here and teach here since before you were even born and my grandfather, Tom Hofmann, designed the SCSU logo.
I’m not out there to impress you or to be the Tony Hawk of rollerblading, though I do like the smiles I see when I’m on campus. I’m out there for me, for the rush, the freedom of flying around 3 inches off the ground at high speeds. I am addicted to it.
However, threatening me and telling other students to cause me harm is unprofessional and childish, even as a joke. Your statement, “I’ll be the one looking over my back,” threatens my freedom and is just another form of terrorism, which is unacceptable. I hope you, and the University Chronicle, are smart enough to correct those statements.
I do apologize to everyone that I have startled, and I often say “I’m sorry” or “excuse me,” but I have never run into anyone or caused any accidents on campus as to produce “little birdies in the blue sky.”
I would also like to thank everyone on this campus for sharing the sidewalks and roads with me over the years, I appreciate it more than you can imagine.
Peace.
James T. Hofmann
St. Cloud
Over the past years that I have been reading newspapers, I’ve always been able to respect the positions of staff writers when they take it upon themselves to write an editorial column. Everyone has the right to his/her own opinion.
However, when I read the article about the “Sk8er Boi” by a Mr. Andrew Rennecke, I was horribly disappointed in the newspaper staff representing my university. Has the paper come to such a low point that it must include articles that judge people for their own personal choices? Who are you to call someone you don't even know an idiot? I feel like I'm in high school again. Don't people have the right to find personal joy in their own kind of art form?
I've never been almost run over by a rollerblader. Have you ever wiped out while rollerblading? It really hurts. If anything, they try their darn best to avoid walkers. What I hate is people walking into me because they're too busy talking on a cellphone, but that's a different issue. But really, must we really make our mature university into the judgmental, clique centered, snobby, older version of high school? Come on. Let people be themselves. I bet the Mr. Rennecke doesn't even know how to roller blade.
But last of all, how dare you even remotely threaten to hurt someone? I mean, you're publishing your article, and right there, in black ink, you're saying you're going to hurt this guy because you don't agree with the way he lives.
You're calling for the students of St. Cloud to act out? So am I. Students of St. Cloud State: I'm not going to put up with Mr. Rennecke's shallow view on life. You don't have to either. Let the University Chronicle know what you think of this so called journalism.
Tim Wagenaar
Senior, English Education
I am writing in response to the Staff Essay “Sk8er boi's days numbered” in Monday's issue. This essay is shallow and generally just stupid. What kind of writer singles out some one they don't even know anything about and make assumptions that are malicious and unresearched? I looked forward to college because I thought I would finally live in a environment that accepted people free of pre-judgements. Obviously this writer does not understand this concept.
Also, was he making a physical threat to the sk8ter boy in his article. An essay that actually includes the word “buttmunch” is clearly immature and a waste of time to read. Remember this...You wrote about a person..a single person who has feelings and a life of his own. You didn't know anything about him or his background but you singled him out and publicly ridiculed him. You should be ashamed of yourself!
Angela McKenzie
Freshman
I really think that this article is in poor taste. It really show’s a lot of ignorance on the part of your organization. I do not personally know “Sk8er Boi” but I do know who is he is:
He has contributed to the university by speaking to the E-business club about his company. He owns Adjuvant Technologies. They are an application service provider who engineer on call scheduling software for healthcare industries. He was a graduate of SCSU a few years back..
http://www.digitalgreen.com/our_work/adjuvant.html
Good work (University) Chronicle! Thanks for promoting violence towards others that are different and destroy community support for the university!
Jeff Bollinger
Senior
Editors Note:
Andy Rennecke’s staff essay was not meant as a call for SCSU students to hurt “Sk8er Boi” James Hofmann. Neither was it a personal threat to Hofmann. It was written tongue-in-cheek and was meant to be entertaining. Nevertheless, we understand Hofmann’s concern for his safety. To our readers, please do not take the staff essay, and especially the “threats,” seriously. Neither Rennecke, nor the paper, would want to see Hofmann hurt. University Chronicle apologizes for any misunderstanding resulting from the essay.
