The Tipoff (May 2019)
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BASKETBALL TIMES Visit: www.usbwa.com VOLUME 56, NO. 4 May 2019 Taking the wheel as first president A.J. (After Joe) After accepting the USBWA presi- have served the game and, most impor- dent’s gavel from David Teel at the Final tantly, support and serve its members. Four in Minneapolis, I paused for a sec- Going back to past presidents, I ond to look around the room at the Min- have the unenviable task of following in neapolis Convention Center. Mike Waters the footsteps of David Teel, who merely Mingling among this year’s honor- guided the USBWA through its most ees, including Katha Quinn Award win- Syracuse Post-Standard important decision in the past 30 years. ner Mike Sheridan and Most Courageous Teel led the search for a successor to Joe Award winner Ericka Downey, were a Mitch, who has served this organization host of past presidents. President as its executive director for longer than Pat Forde and Dana O’Neil joked most of us have been USBWA members. with 2019 Hall of Famer Dan Wetzel. Teel ran a search that the folks at Bob Ryan was there along with the leg- UCLA should study. endary Dick “Hoops’’ Weiss. So were Mike DeCourcy in. I had met John a few years earlier when he was work- As horrified as I was to think of being president in and Andy Katz. ing on a book. I had let him know that I wouldn’t be the first year A.J. (After Joe), I’m relieved to have Mal- As I held my gavel and the plaque, I suddenly felt coming to the Final Four in Denver as planned. He was colm Moran, past president and USBWA Hall of Famer, like a brown suit in a roomful of tuxedoes. Was I really having none of it. Within a day, I had a credential. as our new executive director. up to the challenge of leading this organization through That’s what the USBWA did for a young reporter in Malcolm and I have shared many conversations al- the upcoming 2019-20 season? just his second year on the beat. ready and I’m hoping to tap into his small army of stu- And then I thought of the first Final Four that I cov- And as I remembered that, I thought that maybe this dents at IUPUI to help make the USBWA website more ered. It was back in 1990. Then, as now, I was working job isn’t too big for me. Because the USBWA is me. It’s relevant. I’d like to highlight the work of USBWA mem- for the Syracuse Post-Standard. Our columnist had just about me and for me; just as it’s about and for each of its bers and draw more people to the site with basketball left the sports department, so I applied for a Final Four members. news and industry updates. credential. The NCAA rejected the request. The USBWA is at its best when it uses its strength Malcolm and I also want to address the issue of The USBWA, specifically John Feinstein, stepped as an organization to advance the game, honor those who CONTINUED on Page 3 Our advocacy is greatest value we can bring As the basketball season came to an members will remember the confusion end, there were two important reminders of when Pete Pavia ejected Dean Smith near your USBWA membership dues at work. the end of North Carolina’s 1991 semifinal During that hectic conference tourna- loss to Kansas. Supervisor Hank Nichols ment weekend, the Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star met with reporters in an impromptu news reported that longtime Bradley University conference that highlighted the absence of beat reporter Dave Reynolds, a three-time Malcolm Moran any formal structure and the importance of Illinois Sportswriter of the Year, had been a flow of information after a controversial excluded from the media day of the men’s decision. basketball team between its Missouri Val- The organization’s advocacy for ley Conference championship and the de- you – official and unofficial – continues parture for the NCAA tournament. throughout the year. When officers met Within 24 hours of the initial posting with members of the NCAA Division I of the report on the Journal Star website and the imme- Breeding’s ruling that Samir Doughty of Auburn fouled Men’s Basketball Committee in Minneapolis, includ- diate social media firestorm, the USBWA, in coordina- Virginia’s Kyle Guy on a 3-point attempt. Guy’s three free ing 2019-20 chair Kevin White of Duke, the discussion tion with Associated Press Sports Editors president John throws with 0.6 seconds to play sent Virginia to the na- included our appeal to restore courtside seats that were Bednarowski of the Marietta (Ga.) Daily Journal and past tional championship game with a 63-62 victory. Collins’ lost several years ago. I have been asked to represent the president Gerry Ahern, issued a joint statement of con- quote included the rule and section that was cited, adding USBWA as part of the NCAA Media Advisory Group, cern over the denial of access. The university, including clarity to what had been a chaotic situation for anyone re- which includes representation from the NCAA, APSE coach Brian Wardle, extended public and personal apol- porting on deadline in the vastness of U.S. Bank Stadium. and CoSIDA. ogies. Bradley president Gary Roberts and athletic di- It is important for you to know that the immediate The organization’s most important role is to provide rector Chris Reynolds issued statements. Chris Reynolds responses to the Bradley access issue and one of the most the maximum value to each member. I understand that returned to campus from the NCAA Division I Men’s high-profile officiating controversies in Final Four history the days of having membership dues reimbursed by the Basketball Committee selection process to reinforce his were the result of years of negotiation and collaboration. office are long gone, which adds to the importance of our commitment. And the access was quickly restored. The APSE leadership has dramatically increased its advocacy. Please become involved as much as you can, Then in the aftermath of Virginia’s shocking, last- awareness and involvement in our issues in recent years, even if that involvement is limited to careful, measured second victory over Auburn in a national semifinal, past and the collective effort to evaluate the Bradley situation voting for the All-America teams and individual honors USBWA president Dana O’Neil of The Athletic executed and determine an appropriate, constructive intervention that define our collective credibility. her role as the pool reporter. Reporters covering the game created a template. And please share your ideas. You can reach me at soon had access to a quote from J.D. Collins, the nation- Our efforts to discuss the decisive calls of officials [email protected]. I have been given a new email al coordinator of officiating, explaining official James were rejected when first voiced in the 1980s. Veteran address and the honor of serving you. BASKETBALL TIMES The United States Basketball Writers Association 803 Wildview Lane; Manchester, Mo. Thankful and honored 63021. Visit us at: www.usbwa.com 314-795-6821; Fax: 314-444-4333 to have served for 39 years As I write my final Tipoff column winding PRESIDENT – Mike Waters, Syracuse down on a 39-year career Post-Standard; C: 315-416-6031; with the USBWA, it Joe Mitch [email protected] has been an honor and a privilege to serve this FIRST VICE PRESIDENT – Seth Davis, The great organization for so USBWA Athletic/CBS; C: 917-225-5788; long. [email protected] I was an assistant Executive Director SECOND VICE PRESIDENT – Shannon Ryan, commissioner for media relations with the old Chicago Tribune; C: 312-451-7692; Metro Conference, [email protected] writing news releases and editing a weekly newspaper has helped us in so many ways through the years, THIRD VICE PRESIDENT – Luke DeCock, for the league, when the USBWA asked me in 1980 especially serving as a liaison to the men’s basketball Raleigh News & Observer; C: 919-812-7195; to edit The Tipoff. Three years later I was named committee. executive director. And finally, I want to thank the past presidents, [email protected] I feared that one day I’d get a call telling me they officers and board members for their generous gifts EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Joe Mitch, found a sportswriter to be executive director. and emails congratulating me on my retirement. I H: 636-227-9113; C: 314-795-6821; Fortunately, I never got the call. cannot adequately express to you my sincere thanks [email protected] I have so many people to thank who have helped and appreciation. me along the way. At the top of the list are the Very early in my career I learned the USBWA’s presidents who provided the leadership necessary for first responsibility is to its members. The USBWA BOARD MEMBERS the organization to grow. Early on, presidents such can be especially effective helping writers deal with DISTRICT I – Gavin Keefe, New London Day; as Dave Dorr, Bob Hammel, Bill Brill, Larry Donald, such core issues as seating for the media at games and C: 401-527-8625; [email protected] Frank Boggs, Gordon White and Steve Guback were access to players and coaches. DISTRICT II – Gene Wang, Washington Post; there with advice and encouragement. This is the kind of service writers have come to I want to thank two people I worked with the most expect from the USBWA.