Alex P. Sachare ’71, Sports Writer and Former CCT Editor-in-Chief

KELLY CHAN BC’17

Alex P. Sachare ’71, a sports writer for the AP and NBA and longtime editor-in-chief of Columbia College Today, died on June 12, 2025, in White Plains, N.Y. He had just turned 76.

Sachare was born on June 10, 1949, the only child of Fred and Goldie (née Spiro) Sachare. He grew up in the Midwood section of Brooklyn and graduated from Yeshiva of Flatbush H.S. He earned a B.A. in sociology, but perhaps the more formative part of his education took place during his three years at Spectator, for two of which he was sports editor. “I probably spent 50 hours a week [at the Spec office in Ferris Booth Hall], or outside covering sports events,” he noted in a CCT “Take Five” interview. “I loved the camaraderie of others who enjoyed journalism as much as I did, and it certainly was an exciting place to be during the demonstrations in Spring ’68 and Spring ’70.”

In 1971, Sachare began the first of what he called in later years his “three careers:” sports writer and pro basketball editor at AP, 1971–81; VP for editorial, 1981–88, and executive editor, 1989–1991, both at the NBA; and editor-in-chief of CCT, 1998–2016. During his sports careers, he oversaw the launch of NBA.com and wrote a number of well-received books on basketball and other sports, including America’s Dream Team: The 1992 USA Basketball Team (1992), The Chicago Bulls Encyclopedia (1998) and When Seconds Count: Counting Down Basketball’s Greatest Finishes (1999).

At CCT, he was tasked at the outset with increasing the frequency of publication and adding several more staff members. Sachare, who earned an M.A. in media studies in 1975 from The New School for Social Research, had a knack for hiring the right people for his team — those who had different but complementary skill sets from him and from each other. He prided himself on creating a cohesive staff. Sachare also continued the close relationship with Columbia University Athletics that started in his student days.

“I’m forever grateful to Spectator for having opened those doors for me,” he told CCT.

Sachare married Lori J. Kaufman in 1988, and soon after their daughter, Deborah BC’14, SPS’18, was born, he wanted work that involved less traveling than his NBA position required. He answered a newspaper ad for the CCT job. “I was fortunate to have Alex apply,” recalls Derek Wittner ’65, then-dean of the Columbia College Office of Alumni Affairs and Development. “A Columbia alum and journalist, he took the reins and brought a fresh energy and accessibility to CCT. Respected by his colleagues, he quietly went about the business of connecting alumni to this great college. I know I represent then-Dean of the College Austin E. Quigley, and the Columbia community, in expressing gratitude for Alex’s work and support in this important role.”

Paramount in Sachare’s life, however, was his family. He and his wife shared a love for writing, editing, Scrabble and travel. For decades, the highlight of his year was the two weeks each spring that his family spent in Aruba. He was also a devoted dog and cat “dad.”

Sachare’s wife predeceased him in 2015, and soon after he moved from Chappaqua, where he and his wife spent 25 years and had raised their daughter, to Ossining, and then to White Plains. He was thrilled to be closer to his cousins in order to visit and share meals, especially during the Jewish High Holidays. In retirement, he became more involved with his temple, Bet Torah, in Mount Kisco, and stayed connected to CCT as a contributing editor. Sachare was CCT’s go-to writer for sports and Columbia nostalgia pieces, and most significantly, he wrote the Obituaries section from 2020 to 2025.

Sachare is survived by his daughter; his cousins and their families; and his CCT family. Memorial contributions may be made to Bet Torah.

— Lisa Palladino