David Letterman does not visit Muncie.
Last year, instead of doing so, he sent "Late Show" personality Biff Henderson here for Homecoming -- and even that was a miracle.
If there was ever a question why Letterman doesn't visit, it's clear now.
On Wednesday, city officials decided to rename the alley at the 200 block of South Walnut Street (next to Doc's nightclub) in "honor" of Ball State University's most prominent and successful alumnus. On Dec. 5, the alley will officially become known as the David Letterman Alleyway.
At least one business owner is thrilled.
"I think it's great," said Rod Crossland, owner of Wishbone Gifts Inc., 201 S. Walnut St. "What a great marketing idea."
How about this marketing idea: rename Ball State's football stadium -- or an actual Muncie street.
Last year, Letterman launched a tongue-in-cheek campaign to have Ball State's football stadium renamed in his honor. Instead of showing a picture of our stadium, he showed a picture of the New Jersey Meadowlands. The campaign was clearly a joke, but any humorist will tell you: under every joke, there is a sliver of truth.
The campaign went unfulfilled.
Enter the city of Muncie to save the day by trivializing and capitalizing on Letterman's name, proving once again what is abundantly clear:
Both Muncie and Ball State University simply love to slight David Letterman.
"We decided it would be kind of ironic to name something small after him," Brian Lough, executive director of The Mayor's Downtown Development Partnership, said. "We hope he finds the humor in it."
Remember: under every joke, there is a sliver of truth.
Letterman didn't ask for the alley, he wanted his name on the stadium. It's not like "Ball State Stadium" is an awe-inspiring name that worth keeping.
But no, David Letterman gets an alley.
No one has done more for university publicity. His campaign for the stadium name was free advertising for this university and for this city.
Why won't the city or the university return the favor by renaming a street or the stadium?
No wonder he won't set foot in Muncie.
As long as local businesses, the city and the university continue to benefit from Letterman's name, none of that matters.
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