Southeast alumnus publishes book on boxing greats

As a journalist covering boxing for more than 40 years, Southeast Missouri State University alumnus Tom Cushman has collected many stories. His memories of boxing legends Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Sonny Liston and more are available in his new book, "Muhammad Ali and the Greatest Heavyweight Generation," published by the Southeast Missouri State University Press.

He will speak and sign copies of his book at 7 p.m. today in Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium on Southeast's campus.

Cushman said when the time came to print his memoirs, he had several options. At first, however, the university press was not one of them.

"I was reading a story about the university press in the alumni magazine. I didn't know they existed," Cushman said. He said he liked the idea of giving the book to his alma mater and made some contacts with the university to see if it was possible.

"They seemed eager to publish it. It seemed like a natural fit," Cushman said. He said this relationship had mutual benefits and he hoped the book did good things for the university press.

Dr. Susan Swartwout, university press publisher and professor of English at Southeast, said she was thrilled to publish Cushman's book, even if she was a little in awe.

"I am still in shock. He could have taken this anywhere, so it is a huge honor," Swartwout said.

Cushman said the project started as a collection of essays he compiled for family and friends.

"I started going back through my files and assembling essays. I thought my grandchildren might be interested in reading them," he said. As word spread about his project, colleagues asked to read the essays. He said that after reading them, they encouraged him to publish the collection.

Cushman said readers can expect stories about boxers from the late 1960s to the early 1990s.

He said among his favorite memories in the book are those of Ali and Foreman.

"I would spend a couple of days at Ali's training camp in Reading, Pa. We became friendly. I would spend quiet times with him after his workout. After the workout he was different than his public image. He was inquisitive, quiet and soft-spoken," Cushman said.

He said Foreman was also different in private and was a "voracious reader."

His book is available locally at Barnes & Noble and the Southeast Bookstore. It can also be purchased from the University Press online at www6.semo.edu/universitypress.