It's Time To Get Serious

[Jason Molinet]

As NYSPHSAA, sections, schools and leagues grow more organized, and as the scope of media changes, I think it's important for this oganization to get more, uh, organized. I get the sense NYSSWA is a loose band at best.

This needs to change if we are to have a voice in the future of sports in this state. There is a lot of change afoot. Credentials at state meets. Floating the idea that photographers can't resell images from NYSPHSAA events, etc. How do we deal with the encroachment of MaxPreps.com and High School Sports.net?

Who will lobby for us? Who will listen to us if we don't speak as one?

I think we need to have an annual meeting. Meet old friends, set an agenda, exhange ideas on how to cover events, tackle new media, maybe even share news feeds.

I know what you are thinking. Didn't you leave Newsday? Yes, but I'm the perfect example of the changing landscape. I launched an online media company and now cover high schools and colleges on a hyperlocal basis. Things are changing fast, boys.

I applaud Neil Kerr and John Moriello for all they have contributed through the years. Would there even be an association without them?

But the time is right for more people to step in and make this a true group effort, to make this an association of many rather than the few. Its future depends on it.

[Gregg Sarra]

Jason,

You are right. You're always right. There are more than enough reporters around the state who could contribute and make the newsletter more interesting. And I do like the newsletter. But there has to be a way to access information from all parts of the state through this network. What do you think?

Gregg

[Jason Molinet]

I think Newsday and you have major clout. If you wanted to make something happen, all you have to do is jump in brother...

[John Moriello]

Jason,

Good post, and there's certainly a lot to chew on. A few thoughts off the top of my head:

(1) We are indeed a loose band, much looser than when I came onboard roughly 25 years ago. Part of that has to do with the era in which we live -- the Internet, 24-hour news channels, voicemail, e-mail, cellphones and unlimited long distance calling. The net result is that reporters are much less dependent upon other reporters for information about upcoming playoff opponents of the local teams, etc. They're finding info online and initiating contact with coaches themselves by means of phone and e-mail.

(2) There are definitely some issues on the horizon. I'm going to gloss over most of them and dwell briefly (is that an oxymoron?) on one in particular -- the effect of national web sites and collaborations. The encroachment of MaxPreps, HighSchoolSports.net and a few other sites represents both a threat and an opportunity. The threat, certainly, is initially to existing traditional media (i.e., newspapers, the primary employers of our membership) with the implication being that profits -- and thusly jobs -- are at risk.

But that will also mean opportunities will arise to a certain extent. Here's where I'm going with that: If you look at the effect of the Internet on pro and college sports coverage, you're seeing some pretty respected writers and editors taking jobs at ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Yahoo! and similar outfits. ESPN, for instance has a blogger for each of the eight divisions in the NFL, and each is pulling down better than $100K a year, with a couple of them possibly over $150K. The Rivals.com raid on newspaper talent in the SEC/ACC region is destined to spread to the Big Ten and Big East over the next 2-3 years.

The critical consideration from our standpoint is that these guys were too important to not be replaced by the newspapers they left. Granted, some of the replacements were poached from other beats at the paper that were discontinued or shuffled, but the net effect has been that there are now more reporters overall (print plus new media) on the job, which is always a positive for our membership.

It's going to take awhile -- and it's certainly not going to take the form of $100K jobs during our lifetimes -- but MaxPreps, Scout.com and similar sites are going to lead to more opportunities because newspapers will not dare to abandon the niche. Papers may try to hire cheaper help as they lose talent to the web (or to ad agencies, for that matter), but that's always been the nature of the business model anyway.

(3) We do need meetings, but annual meetings are unlikely to happen. Empire State Games and the high school hoops tourney in Glens Falls/Troy are probably the largest gatherings of members each year, but guys (and gals) are usually too busy to break away even for a short meeting.

On the plus side, I expect to do more traveling this school year than in the last three or four years combined now that I'm not bogged down with a full-time job or caring for my mother, so I'm hoping to meet with more members on a 1-on-1 or 1-on-several basis.

(4) The time is definitely right for more people to step in and add to the group effort. To that end, this is almost certainly my last year as president of the organization. I'd like to see one of our other longtime members step into that role (which is largely ceremonial) while I concentrate on enhancing the web site, and I'd also like to see us add another VP, preferably from the Sec. 1-8-9-11-NYC area.

[Jason Molinet]

Right now the association revolves around a weekly newsletter that looks like a bad ransom note. That's the primary drive to be a member. This is bass ackwards.

With all due respect to the tech-challenged Mr. Kerr, the newsletter needs to go online. It can still be subscription-based. But we should also be paying dues to help the association represent us as a whole, not for the simple right to get a newsletter and Xeroxed fill-in-the-blank membership card.

And, yes, ESG and Glens Falls are the two times when the majority of media congregate. But as you pointed out, everyone is usually too busy to meet -- except at the Dugout or the Bullpen. But I do believe a meeting is essential.

Not just a meeting, but a conference with a few workshops and even a featured speaker or speakers. Maybe a few vendors. Selling vendor space may well pay for the event. (Maybe we can use space at an area high school pro bono.)

Look, ADs meet all the time all over the state. They are always up on the latest trends as a result. We need to help ourselves in this regard.

An annual meeting in say, early July or mid-December, in Albany or Utica, I believe is vital. That's the first step in becoming a real organization. I know I'm shooting my mouth off. So I'm more than happy to be part of the planning process.

[James Johnson]

Jason,

Of course you are right. What it will come down to, as you and John both pointed out, is ironing out the logistics. I'm in favor of it.