'Formerly' extend a scholarship offer

Editor needed: Even a great institution like the University of Virginia can mess up now and again. In a letter dated Aug. 1, UVa football coach Mike London sent a recruit a formal offer for a scholarship, but it didn't say that he wanted to formally make the offer.

It said "formerly extend a scholarship offer."

Congratulations, you have an opportunity to become an educated man and play great college football. A University of Virginia degree is one of the most prestigious in America. As the head football coach at this University, I want to formerly extend a scholarship offer to you.

OOPS!

No one spellchecked the letter before it was printed out, and no one proofread it before it was mailed. Of course, spellcheck wouldn't have helped; formerly is a real word.

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