Bobby Knight's death triggers dueling personal memories: a gentlemanly Knight after a 1988 loss to Northwestern University, and an otherwise-gentlemanly Bill Foster bullying me after a Wildcat loss.
Matt: Olympic coaches do not win Olympic medals, even if they coach Olympic champions. Medals are NOT awarded to coaches. Bob Knight did not win an Olympic Gold medal as a coach ... his team did.
I always thought sports writers and commentators walk a thin line between "objectivity" and being a "homer" or "fan." When I was a kid I resented Mel Allen - the voice of the Yankees - because among other things, he was such a "homer."
I loved Steve Stone, because as Cub analyst he was so knowledgeable that he often predicted the next play. He was the opposite of a "homer" ... the consummate expert - he really was - and professional. But the Cub players deeply resented him because he "called it like it is" and showed no favoritism. Apparently I was not the only "fan" who appreciated Stone's professionalism ... but he paid a price for that.
These days - sports, even at the collegiate level - is somewhat different than when you were reporting. It is a multibillion dollar business and now there is no charade pretending it is not. So big bucks are on the line. In such a situation the athlete, the coach, the "institution" I would think has the advantage and the little ole sports journalist better be careful. Then again, maybe not. After all the DAILY NORTHWESTERN did take down Coach Fritz.
The question is can you be a beloved sport's journalist afraid of no one - an icon - and still tell it like it is and not get fired or cancelled? Vin Scully comes to mind.
Great stuff, Bruce...yes, Steve Stone is excellent. And your other points are well taken. And, on a related note re: how times have changed, a friend of mine offered this take re: my experience with Coach Foster---
"The chances of a student reporter complaining in 1988 – 5%
The chances of a student reporter complaining in 2023 – 95%"
Matt: Olympic coaches do not win Olympic medals, even if they coach Olympic champions. Medals are NOT awarded to coaches. Bob Knight did not win an Olympic Gold medal as a coach ... his team did.
I always thought sports writers and commentators walk a thin line between "objectivity" and being a "homer" or "fan." When I was a kid I resented Mel Allen - the voice of the Yankees - because among other things, he was such a "homer."
I loved Steve Stone, because as Cub analyst he was so knowledgeable that he often predicted the next play. He was the opposite of a "homer" ... the consummate expert - he really was - and professional. But the Cub players deeply resented him because he "called it like it is" and showed no favoritism. Apparently I was not the only "fan" who appreciated Stone's professionalism ... but he paid a price for that.
These days - sports, even at the collegiate level - is somewhat different than when you were reporting. It is a multibillion dollar business and now there is no charade pretending it is not. So big bucks are on the line. In such a situation the athlete, the coach, the "institution" I would think has the advantage and the little ole sports journalist better be careful. Then again, maybe not. After all the DAILY NORTHWESTERN did take down Coach Fritz.
The question is can you be a beloved sport's journalist afraid of no one - an icon - and still tell it like it is and not get fired or cancelled? Vin Scully comes to mind.
Great stuff, Bruce...yes, Steve Stone is excellent. And your other points are well taken. And, on a related note re: how times have changed, a friend of mine offered this take re: my experience with Coach Foster---
"The chances of a student reporter complaining in 1988 – 5%
The chances of a student reporter complaining in 2023 – 95%"
That struck me as a good estimate.