B a s k e t b a l l T i m e s

Visit: www.usbwa.com password: fordfield VOLUME 46, NO. 4 May 2009 Here to increase membership, watch over beat writers Vol. 30, No. 7 It is an honor and March a privilege to 2008 serve as your presi- was a chance for us to get dent and the reality is still setting in. younger as an organization $4.00 But the true reality is that we as an organization are and usher in a new era of facing some serious challenges in the months ahead. I say journalists. President “months,” not “years,” because our profession is going Come fall, when class- through rapid, dramatic changes. es begin at campuses across Newspapers are folding. Many are downsizing. “Fur- the country, my hope is Steve Carp lough” and “buyout” are now part of our lexicon. We cau- that we can convince these tiously peek at our e-mails from management, wondering young student-journalists Las Vegas Review-Journal what the next austerity measure brings. to join us and be part of the Longtime members of our fraternity are suddenly ex- college-basketball experi- journalists. Or they’ve been moved off the college-bas- ence. The membership fee ketball beat. At the recent Final Four, a lot of newspapers is just $15, and while that were not represented. A lot of writers who had covered might seem like a lot for a college student, I’m sure those feature writer, or the rival beat writer or the kid covering the event for decades were not in attendance. Others who who want to be part of USBWA will find a way to join. for the college paper, think of the growth we can experi- were fortunate to go left early because of costs. And while it’s important for us to become younger, ence. One. It’s such a small number. But when multiplied, It is in this environment that our organization has to I don’t want to forget our experienced hands, those who it can represent hundreds. function. Journalism is an ever-changing craft as it contin- were once part of USBWA but for some reason either My other hope for the coming year – besides con- ues to evolve into something more instantaneous, leaving forgot to renew or simply moved on. We want you back. tinuing Dick’s work – is to be an advocate for the college- newspapers to figure out how to re-invent themselves. We want to make you feel part of this organization again. basketball beat writer who deals with the game on a daily Where many of us see despair for our profession, We value your expertise and your participation. basis and create a set of minimum standards for a positive I see opportunity. Opportunity for us to grow our ranks Under Dick Jerardi’s expert stewardship as USBWA working environment. with younger faces, fresher ideas and blend in more di- president the past year, we were able to bring in over 100 It should include a suitable place to work from with verse facets of the business. new members. That puts us near 800. legitimate proximity to the court. A source for power with A few months ago in Tipoff, I advocated pursuing We can be bigger, stronger. If each of us could con- working wi-fi capabilities. Receiving statistical informa- college journalists to join our organization. I pointed out vince just one person to join us, whether it’s a colleague tion in a timely fashion both during and after games and a that not only was this a way for us to grow our ranks, it at your own newspaper such as a columnist or basketball fair policy for postgame access to players and coaches. With 31 leagues come 31 different policies. And Carp named USBWA president for 2009-10 within those leagues come issues and problems unique to Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal was Jones, Harrisburg Patriot News; Robbi Pickeral, Raleigh certain schools. Some universities have control over their elected president of the USBWA for 2009-10 at the annu- News & Observer; John Clay, Lexington Herald-Leader; own buildings. Others rent out facilities. Still others share al business meeting held in conjunction with this year’s Kirk Wessler, Peoria Journal Star; Dave Sittler, Tulsa the operation of their gym with another entity. I under- Final Four in . World; Wally Hall, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; John stand that. My hope is that by developing some minimum Carp succeeds Dick Jerardi of the Philadelphia Daily Henderson, Denver Post; Hank Wesch, San Diego Union- standards we can head off problems before they occur. News. Tribune; Dana O’Neil, espn.com; Luke Winn, SI.com; The wi-fi is going to go out from time to time. It hap- Other USBWA officers elected were Bryan Burwell, and Scott Chipman, . pened courtside at the Final Four semifinals. The printer St. Louis Post-Dispatch, first vice president; Lenox Rawl- Jerardi was presented with the Ray Marquette Me- spitting out the final stats might go haywire. ings, Winston-Salem Journal, second vice president; and morial Award. The award is given to the outgoing presi- Those things happen. I’m talking about making sure John Akers, , third vice president. dent of the USBWA in memory of Ray Marquette, who visiting writers know they can get to their coach outside Elected to the USBWA Board of Directors for 2009- was a sports writer for the Indianapolis Star and USBWA the locker room without someone in a yellow jacket tell- 10 were Kevin McNamara, Providence Journal; David executive director when he died in a plane crash in 1977. ing them they can’t go there when the policy clearly states they can. Or making more than a couple players available after games when the locker room is closed. Writing contest deadline set for June 15 Having covered a beat for many The deadline for submitting stories and columns Winners will be announced in an issue of The Tipoff years, I know the frustration that comes with the unex- published during the 2008-09 basketball season for the and posted on the USBWA website. pected happening. If we can reduce the number of sur- USBWA Best Writing Contest is June 15. Entries can be submitted by e-mail or regular mail. prises by being proactive, perhaps we can reduce the Entries can be submitted in five categories: column Please include the name of the category and the author of amount of stress and disappointment. writing, moderate-length features, magazine-length fea- the story, the publication or website in which the article I look forward to working with all of you this coming tures, spot news/game coverage and enterprise/investiga- appeared and the date of publication with each entry. year. If you ever have an issue or a concern or a sugges- tive stories. Send entries to: tion on how to make the USBWA a better place to be part Only dues-paying members of the USBWA are eli- Joe Mitch of, call me or drop me an e-mail. Or, if you’re visiting Las gible to enter the writing contest. Members may enter USBWA Writing Contest Vegas, I’d love to meet up with you in person. more than one category but may submit only one entry 1818 Chouteau Ave. This is your organization. Together we can make it per category. St. Louis, Mo. 63103 something we can all be proud to be part of. In the mean- Plaques and cash prizes will be awarded in each cat- (314) 421-0339 time, everyone hang in there and let’s hope we can all egory. or e-mail entries to [email protected] ride out this economic storm that is rocking our industry. B a s k e t b a l l T i m e s

The United States Basketball Writers Association 1818 Chouteau Avenue Detroit was place to be St. Louis, Mo. 63103 Visit us at: www.usbwa.com 314-421-0339 Fax: 314-421-3505, 314-421-6120 for annual awards breakfast Detroit might not have been the most popular PRESIDENT – Steve Carp, Las Vegas choice for the men’s Final Review-Journal; O: 702-387-2913; Four for fans and maybe Joe Mitch H: 702-243-9109; C: 702-528-2790; even the media, but it [email protected] turned out to be a good one USBWA FIRST VICE PRESIDENT – Bryan Burwell, for this year’s U. s. Bas- St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ketball Writers Association O: 314-340-8185; H: 636-536-0332, college basketball awards Executive Director C: 314-603-0463; breakfast. [email protected] The annual event at- SECOND VICE PRESIDENT – Lenox tracted a sold-out crowd Rawlings, Winston-Salem Journal; of more than 300 people to H: 336-272-2029; C: 336-580-5023; [email protected] see presentation of the USBWA’s player and coach of the sented Izzo with the award. THIRD VICE PRESIDENT/ TIPOFF EDITOR year awards at the downtown Detroit Athletic Club. The breakfast began with the introduction of several – John Akers, Basketball Times, It was one of the USBWA’s most successful and en- members from MSU’s 1979 national championship team. C: 612-718-4661; H: 704-849-8627; tertaining Final Four breakfasts, where fans have a chance They received plaques commemorating the 30th anniver- [email protected] to see up close and personal some of the top names in col- sary of their NCAA title. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Joe Mitch, lege basketball. Seth Davis of CBS and Sports Illustrated set the Missouri Valley Conference, Oscar Robertson was there to help present the player stage for the occasion with a look back at the champion- O: 314-421-0339; H: 314-227-9113; of the year trophy named after him to Oklahoma’s Blake ship game with Indian State and the match up between C: 314-795-6821; [email protected] Griffin. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. WEBMASTER – Ted Gangi, “You raised a great young man,” Oscar told Griffin’s “It was a game that transformed basketball,” said C: 214-909-9314; parents who were in attendance at the breakfast. Davis, who has written a new book on the subject called [email protected] Robertson even went so far as to comment on the “When March Went Mad.” BOARD MEMBERS NCAA’s new seating con- DISTRICT I – Kevin McNamara; Providence figuration for a Final Four Journal; O: 401-277-7340; where the court was placed It was one of the USBWA’s most successful and C: 401-434-7229; [email protected] in the center of the football DISTRICT II – David Jones, Harrisburg entertaining Final Four breakfasts, where fans Patriot-News; O: 717-255-8187; field at Ford Field. C: 717-319-1837; “I see why they’re do- have a chance to see up close and personal [email protected] ing it for financial reasons,” DISTRICT III – Robbi Pickeral, Raleigh Robertson said. “But when some of the top names in college basketball. News & Observer, O: 716-372-3121, ext. I played in a big building 278; C: 716-244-0427; [email protected] like this, I didn’t like it. The shooting background was not The USBWA hopes to continue these breakfasts at DISTRICT IV – John Clay, Lexington good. All I can say to fans coming to the games is: Bring future Final Fours, thanks in large part to the help of the Herald-Leader; O: 859-231-3226; your binoculars.” NCAA in securing a site to host the event. C: 859-321-5362; [email protected] , whose Kansas Jayhawks won the NCAA The breakfast helps raise awareness of the organiza- DISTRICT V – Kirk Wessler, Peoria Journal championship last season, was present to receive the tion’s player and coach of the year awards and generates Star; O: 309-686-3216; Award from Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City funds for the USBWA’s scholarship program. the US- C: 309-256-9093; [email protected] Star. BWA also makes a contribution to the National Kidney DISTRICT VI – Dave Sittler; Tulsa World; Self charmed the crowd with his down-home humor Foundation on behalf of Oscar Robertson, who donated a O: 918-581-8312; C: 918-629-3851; and Oklahoma drawl. He talked about how much the kidney to his daughter, Tia. [email protected] award meant to him, being that he is a graduate of Okla- Next year, plans call to honor the 1980 louisville DISTRICT VII – Wally Hall; Arkansas homa State (formerly Oklahoma A&M) and is a huge fan national championship team on the 30th anniversary of Democrat-Gazette; O/C: 501-831-4647; [email protected] the school’s most famous coach, Henry Iba. the Cardinals’ NCAA title at the first Final Four ever held DISTRICT VIII – John Henderson, Denver Andy Katz, past president of the USBWA and ES- in Indianapolis. Post; 303-282-4937; PN’s top college-basketball reporter, was at his best as ***** [email protected]. emcee for the breakfast, providing quips and insight on The USBWA’s sportswriting seminars for college and DISTRICT IX – Hank Wesch; San Diego each of the award recipients and keeping the program high school students wanting to pursue careers in sports Union-Tribune; O: 619-293-1853; moving along at a fairly quick pace. journalism went off without a hitch at both the men’s and C: 619-987-3904; The morning, however, belonged to Michigan State women’s Final Fours. [email protected] coach and the many Spartans fans who helped Over 150 students combined attended the two work- WOMEN – Mel Greenberg, Philadelphia fill the room to capacity. They were there to see the man shops, with one student at each seminar receiving a Daily Inquirer; C: 215-313-3542; who had led MSU to the Final Four for the fifth time in $1,000 scholarship from the USBWA in a writing contest [email protected]. the last 10 years. about stories on Final Four events. AT-LARGE – Dana O’Neil, espn.com; A standing ovation greeted Izzo when he first came Tom Stanton, assistant professor at the University of C: 215-313-3425; [email protected] into the room. several times, the crowd broke out in Detroit-Mercy and author of several books on baseball, AT-LARGE – Luke Winn,SI.com; chants of “Go, Green!” coordinated the men’s Final Four workshop. The wom- O: 212-522-9835; C: 847-477-5507. Izzo received the Good Guy Award from the USB- en’s seminar was handled by Jason Young, production SID –Scott Chipman, Big Ten WA because of his honesty and willingness to work with coordinator for the Saint Louis University student news- Conference; C: 630-936-6005; [email protected]. the media. paper, and Dave Dorr, a past USBWA president and Hall MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR – Helen “He’s a guy who’s great for college basketball,” said of Fame member and a former St. Louis Post-Dispatch Huegel; 314-421-0331; [email protected]. Rick Bozich of the Louisville Courier-Journal who pre- sports writer who is now retired. B a s k e t b a l l T i m e s

Next season, USBWA plans to catch a ‘Rising Star’ Like all of us, the USBWA isn’t getting younger. writing the veteran writ- Without going all Benjamin Button here, there is a ers on his or her beat. Our way to reverse the aging process. honoree might be some- While wireless access and courtside seating remain one who, in these difficult the issues of the day, connecting with that Next Genera- financial times, has - cre John Akers tion of college basketball writers who are doing great atively built a reputation, things is vital to the future of the organization. perhaps on a self-created We haven’t given younger writers much reason to be website or as a freelancer. Basketball Times interested. If you go to the Monday morning breakfast, In other words, we’ll nearly all of the folks who are running the meetings or be flexible and keep an eye being honored have their AARP cards. For anyone on the out for the under-recog- Vice President south side of 30, the USBWA must feel very old. nized young stars as well Which sparked an idea. as the obvious. We’ve created the Rising Star Award. We would place an USBWA board member Nicole Vargas of the San Di- emphasis on writers who have displayed journalistic ex- headed by Nicole Vargas and myself and include mem- ego Union-Tribune was instrumental in drawing up the cellence, an interest in the USBWA and a desire to cover bers whose ages are closer to 30 than 50. The Rising Star guidelines for this new award, which will be presented to college basketball for the foreseeable future. Award winner also will be asked to help select the next a member who is under 30 and shows the most promise Any USBWA member who is under 30 on Jan. 1, year’s winner, until a committee comprised entirely of in our profession. 2010 will be eligible. The award is a one-time honor. Rising Star alums is available to judge their peers. It could go to someone already entrenched as a na- The winner will be awarded a plaque at the annual The winner gets a nice addition to the resume and tional writer or on a coveted beat at a major newspaper, USBWA awards breakfast. Five other finalists will receive a reason to become more involved. The USBWA begins website or newspaper. We might honor a young writer certificates and be recognized through a news release. to identify its next wave of leadership and gives younger who has produced an exceptional body of work at a medi- Candidates can enter their own names for consider- writers a reason to both join and become involved. um-sized or smaller newspaper. It could go to the student ation, be nominated by another member or solicited by Most important, the USBWA grows younger. writer for a college paper who is breaking news and out- the award’s selection committee, which will initially be Everybody wins. Women’s Final Four offers a full plate of topics to explore Unlike the perfect finish to Connecticut’s drive for might change. More about a sixth national title in St. Louis, the USBWA women’s that in a bit. contingent had a mix bag of wins and losses during the The USBWA was no five-day span of activities in the Gateway City. different than other organi- Mel Greenberg The most significant loss, mostly caused by the cur- zations handing out wom- rent economic state of newspapers, involved the few ma- en’s postseason awards. jor markets represented at the event. Connecticut grabbed both Philadelphia Inquirer The Connecticut crowd probably would not have the coach of the year hon- been in the house if the Huskies had lost along the way. or – with , Women’s Representative St. Louis and area organizations might not have been, ei- who also won last season ther, if the Final Four had been in another city. – and the player of the year A glance at the media seating chart showed represen- award, with Maya Moore. tation from New York and Washington D.C. But missing Neither could receive from the list were such longtime market reps from Los their honors personally, with the event falling on the The honors could get more attention with the tro- Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, atlanta, miami, morning of the championship game. phies sent to the school and then having a USBWA local Houston, Dallas and Richmond, to name a few. We met with Rick Nixon, the NCAA’s media coordi- or national representative make the presentation at the The Bay Area papers departed after the semifinals in nator of the Division I women’s tournament. school’s postseason dinner. the wake of Stanford’s loss to Connecticut. One of the discussion points involved tweaking tour- Two additional awards are being explored, which Although many veteran women’s basketball report- nament procedures in the early rounds. For example, it could become centerpiece honors at the Final Four. One ers in those cities have either retired, taken buyouts or was noted by our side that with usually only one writer would cite a coach who is media-friendly, in terms of co- been furloughed, there has been an expression of interest per paper at an event, it is quite difficult in the postgame operation involving availability and interviews. from them to find ways to stay involved with the beat and sessions to be in the media interview room and in the The other is not new, but a transformation of the Pio- involvement with USBWA. locker rooms at the same time because of the overlap. neer Award that has been presented in the past to some- However, despite the gloomy beginning of this re- There were no such conflicts at the Final Four, with one whose efforts gained media attention to the sport. port, there were events producing positive feelings and enough time allotted to be in both places. The new award would be named the Maggie Dixon the future may not be totally bleak. Nixon and ESPN’s Tilea Coleman discussed ways to Award, after the young Army coach who died suddenly The five-day event got off to an exciting start with make the brunch better. An idea was proposed to move it in 2006 soon after leading the Cadets to their first NCAA the third annual women’s panel for young writers. to a late-afternoon session in the arena prior to the title Tournament in her first season as a head coach. The seminar, moderated by the St. Louis Post Dis- game, to attract more writers at the event. The new qualification would be to give it to someone patch’s Dave Dorr, included yours truly, aP national To add meat to the gathering, the NCAA’s session who has impacted young lives in a positive manner that women’s writer Doug Feinberg and local writer R.B. with the committee chair involving the state of the tour- results in media attention to the sport. Fallstrom, USA Today’s Dick Patrick, Joe Ostermeier, nament could be moved from its current Monday place on Ideally, it would be nice to have a title sponsor. That who’s in charge of st. louis’ Belleville online edition; the schedule. It is now held between the interview times search will continue. and Steve Tucker of the Chicago Sun Times. with the participating times in the championship. Finally, our fearless leader Joe Mitch thinks we need Unlike previous seminars in Cleveland and Tampa, Another thought is to change the national awards to create a board on our side similar to the men’s, consist- which focused on coverage of the sport, the St. Louis at- announcement for the women to in advance of the Final ing of a board member from each of the six regions. tendees, who came from area colleges and high school, Four. In recent years, the winners have come from title I agree. Nicole Vargas of the San Diego Union-Tri- heard discussion of the sportswriting business in general. participants who were unable to attend personally because bune is willing to help. If any of you have interest or know ESPN again sponsored the brunch, whose format of their commitments on the day of the title game. of anyone at your organizations, feel free to contact me.

B a s k e t b a l l T i m e s

Scenes from the USBWA’s Final Four breakfasts Photos by Aaron Eckels

National player of the year Blake Griffin of Oklahoma, Kansas coach Bill Self leaves a dais including Andy Katz, Tom Izzo Michigan State coach Tom Izzo with the USBWA’s trophy namesake – Oscar Robertson. and Oscar Robertson laughing after being given the Henry Iba Award. receives the Good Guy Award.

Katha Quinn Award winner John Paquette (center), Most Courageous winner Kelvin Davis (center), Outgoing USBWA president Dick Jerardi with Jim O’Connell and Mike Tranghese. with San Diego State coach Steve Fisher and Steve Carp. (left) and executive director Joe Mitch.

Hall of Famer Gary McCann (right) Nancy Axthelm and her grandchildren, with Malcolm Moran, Hall of Famer Rick Bozich (right) of the and USBWA president Dick Jerardi. represented the late Hall of Famer Pete Axhelm. Louisville Courier-Journal, with Pat Forde.