RE: Change coming to Huskiewire?
Kudos to HuskieJWN for his response to oilgasusa. Yes, even if you didn't like Nitz's writing (could you do better), at least appreciate the effort.
As Doggone appropriately points out: not sure reduction of coverage was Steve's fault. The newspaper industry has been cutting back for years. His employer, Shaw Media probably played a huge role in the lack of coverage.
As a fellow sportswriter I know Steve was getting paid the bare minimum and Shaw gives raises as often as 7 praised Drew Hare after Presbyterian. At one point, Nitz was considering taking a graduate assistant position because he would have made about the same while working on a master's. Word is he landed a job with an internet sports outlet in the Chicago area.
Unlike college coaching jobs where the next head coach and his assistant positions have salary hikes when hired, the media business is the opposite. Shaw, Trib, etc. replace long-time quality writers like Rick Armstrong, Fred Mitchell, etc. with young, hungry, or less experienced applicants wanting an opportunity. You can bet the Chronicle -- at best -- offers the same low-wage salary or perhaps even slightly less.
It's far better to echo the comments made by jjprender, zdsmith, NIUSox10, NIU1981 and say thanks, good luck.
As for NuclearMike, look for the Chronicle ad on the opening or any other newspaper filling a sportswriter position and show me where it says: give a damn about NIU (or whatever the local program)? There is no requirement saying a sports editor or writer is required to only write positive things or promote the local program. Don't forget half of the Chronicle readers would rather see more coverage of their high school teams than NIU while those of us on the DogPound want the opposite.
As to Flying Corn's note, admist those ramblings is a lot of NIU history which some of the younger people here may not know. Yes, Bobby Knight-coached Indiana played in Evans Field House. Yes, NBA-types like Ron Harper also played in EFH. Yes, it's frustrating that the MAC and NIU have had such a downturn in men's basketball. Yes, as Korcek points out, the B1G is just as unwilling to schedule NIU or MAC teams except on their terms. The link to Korcek's Corner will be in another thread so RitzHuskie and all the other anti-Mikes can post their usual rants while anyone else can get some more insight to NIU's past men's basketball programs.
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