Continuing the Legacy: An Interview with Dale Christopher

The show features Dr. Kerry Gelb interviewing Dale Christopher, son of renowned children’s sports author Matt Christopher. The focus of their discussion is on the legacy of Matt Christopher’s work and how Dale continues to keep his father’s memory and contributions alive.

Key points from the discussion include:

1. Matt Christopher’s Writing Journey: Dale Christopher shares insights into his father’s career, starting from short stories to writing nearly 200 children’s sports books. He discusses how his father balanced various jobs before becoming a full-time writer.
2. The Inspiration Behind the Stories: Dale explains that Matt Christopher’s love for sports and his personal experiences greatly influenced his writing. Stories like “The Kid Who Only Hit Homers” reflect Matt’s passion for baseball and his imaginative storytelling.
3. Family Values and Lessons: The conversation highlights the moral lessons embedded in Matt Christopher’s books. Dale emphasizes how his father’s stories teach honesty, integrity, and the importance of family values.
4. Adapting to Modern Trends: Dale talks about Matt Christopher’s ability to adapt to new sports trends, including writing about extreme sports and newer athletic activities that emerged during his lifetime.
5. Continuing the Legacy: Dale discusses his efforts to maintain and expand his father’s legacy, including the release of new books like “The Kid Who Will Never Hit a Homer” and potential adaptations for modern readers.

The overall message of the show is to celebrate the enduring impact of Matt Christopher’s work on young readers and to highlight the ongoing efforts by Dale Christopher to preserve and expand this legacy for future generations.

About the Guest

Dale Christopher

Dale Christopher grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. He graduated from Lansing High School (NY) and Gannon University, Erie, PA. Soon after graduation, he attended SUNY Oneonta and became a NYS Certified Mathematics teacher. He started his teaching career in Andes, NY, and after ten years, transitioned to private industry, working in the planning and financial sectors of the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Niskayuna, NY. During this time, Dale received his MBA in Business Administration.

After 18 years, Dale returned to teaching and eventually retired from the Saratoga Springs City School District in Saratoga Springs, NY. He now focuses on touring the country, talking about his published biography of his father, and working with his brother Duane to continue the Matt Christopher legacy.

Website & Social Links:

• Matt Christopher Official Website