An open letter to wrestling coaches
Dear Wrestling Coaches,
If you don’t care enough to call in your results to the local media, don’t bother complaining about a lack of coverage.
You should know most sports writers and editors don’t know a half nelson from a jelly doughnut. Most of them would rather watch a 28-21 girls basketball game than watch your team wrestle. It’s just a fact of life and a hurdle that will be tough to overcome. You have to lead a horse to water if you want him to even think about drinking.
If you report you results in a complete, timely fashion you will get better coverage. If you show no interest, neither will your media outlets. They have a lot of things to do and if you make their jobs easier, you will be rewarded in some shape or fashion. It only takes a minute to shove your results in a fax machine and send them off or type them up in an email. A call is even better…the personal touch. If you don’t want to report the results yourself, appoint a responsible assistant coach, statistician or even parent to do it.
If you have any story ideas for them, don‘t be shy give ‘em to them. They might not use every one of your story ideas but chances are they will use some of them and those stories will only promote your program. It will also help keep parents happy because they like to see their kids’ name in the newspaper.
What better way is there to promote your program than foster a good rapport with your local media? Report the results to ALL media who cover your school. Give them your varsity and junior varsity results and make your junior high coaches report their results too. Even tell them about your special events like when your biddy practices begin, senior nights, tournaments you are hosting, etc.
Who knows? Maybe better coverage will draw more attention to your program and get more kids involved. If you flood them with wrestling information and results you won’t be ignored. And you will draw more attention to the sport of wrestling…and we all win.
NOTE: I have been involved with wrestling at all levels since 1982. And have been a sports writer for 13 years.
NOTEWORTHY:
LIMA PUTNAM YMCA WRESTLING CLUB: The first practice for the Lima-Putnam YMCA Wrestling Club will be Dec.12 at 6 p.m. at the old gym in Pandora. The club is open to all first through eighth graders in Allen and Putnam Counties. For more information, contact Mike Maag at (419) 532-3308 or (419) 796-9790.
ANYONE WITH NEWS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE ADDED HERE EMAIL WITH THE INFO WE’LL TRY AND GET THE WORD OUT!
jamiebaker@thecourier.com
NEWSWORTHY:
Findlay wrestlers looking to take the next step
Crestview wrestlers lead way in preview
Lincolnview falls to West Liberty Salem, Van Wert
Weighing in
4 Overtime Matches Highlight All-Star Meet
Wapak wants to get back on top in WBL
Results from the Columbus dispatch
If you don’t care enough to call in your results to the local media, don’t bother complaining about a lack of coverage.
You should know most sports writers and editors don’t know a half nelson from a jelly doughnut. Most of them would rather watch a 28-21 girls basketball game than watch your team wrestle. It’s just a fact of life and a hurdle that will be tough to overcome. You have to lead a horse to water if you want him to even think about drinking.
If you report you results in a complete, timely fashion you will get better coverage. If you show no interest, neither will your media outlets. They have a lot of things to do and if you make their jobs easier, you will be rewarded in some shape or fashion. It only takes a minute to shove your results in a fax machine and send them off or type them up in an email. A call is even better…the personal touch. If you don’t want to report the results yourself, appoint a responsible assistant coach, statistician or even parent to do it.
If you have any story ideas for them, don‘t be shy give ‘em to them. They might not use every one of your story ideas but chances are they will use some of them and those stories will only promote your program. It will also help keep parents happy because they like to see their kids’ name in the newspaper.
What better way is there to promote your program than foster a good rapport with your local media? Report the results to ALL media who cover your school. Give them your varsity and junior varsity results and make your junior high coaches report their results too. Even tell them about your special events like when your biddy practices begin, senior nights, tournaments you are hosting, etc.
Who knows? Maybe better coverage will draw more attention to your program and get more kids involved. If you flood them with wrestling information and results you won’t be ignored. And you will draw more attention to the sport of wrestling…and we all win.
NOTE: I have been involved with wrestling at all levels since 1982. And have been a sports writer for 13 years.
NOTEWORTHY:
LIMA PUTNAM YMCA WRESTLING CLUB: The first practice for the Lima-Putnam YMCA Wrestling Club will be Dec.12 at 6 p.m. at the old gym in Pandora. The club is open to all first through eighth graders in Allen and Putnam Counties. For more information, contact Mike Maag at (419) 532-3308 or (419) 796-9790.
ANYONE WITH NEWS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE ADDED HERE EMAIL WITH THE INFO WE’LL TRY AND GET THE WORD OUT!
jamiebaker@thecourier.com
NEWSWORTHY:
Findlay wrestlers looking to take the next step
Crestview wrestlers lead way in preview
Lincolnview falls to West Liberty Salem, Van Wert
Weighing in
4 Overtime Matches Highlight All-Star Meet
Wapak wants to get back on top in WBL
Results from the Columbus dispatch
posted by --J-- at 11:00 AM
3 Comments:
As a sports writer who most assuredly DOESN'T know any wrestling moves (but I do know my jelly donuts), I have to agree with Jamie.
I go to many matches and take many pictures and, after a few years of watching the sport, can follow certain nuances of individual and team matches and tournaments.
But many things escape me — like why an escape and a reversal are worth the same amount of points when it seems to me the wrestler getting the reversal should get points for both the escape and a takedown. But I digress.
Writing for another area paper, I'm blessed sometimes with results since many coaches will send in a completed tournament bracket or fax or E-mail the dual results (I provide each wrestling coach with form they can copy). Some don't send me any info, and I don't know why.
I accept the info in any manner, including reporting forms created by other newspapers. I don't care whose newspaper name is at the top, I just want the results, PREFERABLY WITH ALL FIRST NAMES.
Little-known fact about sports reporting: the more info we receive, the more info we can share with the readers.
Actually, a reversal is worth two points, while an escape is worth one. Don't worry, you'll get it, it's not easy. I'm the same way with hockey, I don't know why offsides is called or w/e. And I'm a sport management major in college. I'm going to do what I can this year to get as much in as possible.
Rob
See why I constantly rely on Jamie for wrestling info. But I'm trying. Thanks for the correction. :)
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