I am writing as a response to the commentaries, articles, Between Rounds columns, Letters to the Editor, and countless posts on the Chronicle website's
Discussion Forum regarding the three-day event and its future.

This is a "hot-button" issue that has stirred emotional responses from all sides. I think it is time, however, to try and put a little dose of history and reality into the discussion, which I'm sure will rile many three-day purists. And I can understand that, as I was one until very recently.