04-30-2007, 10:11 AM
I've been listening to the Sports Monster and I am noticing something.
The morning show- which often has more people on the air at the same time than a Monday Night Football booth- has become a rundown of the announcers talking about their golf games with ETSU coaches and athletic executives.
For instance, today I learned that Kenny Hawkins knows that Murry Bartow and Tony Skole are great golfers who like to bet on the course.
I have learned that Don Helman- who champions his objectivity- plays golf with Dave Mullins and ETSU's new soccer coach.
In fact, playing golf with ETSU muckitty mucks seems to be a job requirement at this station.
Now, HOW IN THE WORLD CAN WE EXPECT OUR AREA'S OPINION MAKERS TO "TELL IT LIKE IT IS" IF THEY ARE CONTINUOUSLY SETTING TEE TIMES WITH THE VERY PEOPLE WHO HAVE DESTROYED THE DEPARTMENT?
HOW CAN WE TRUTHFULLY ASK THEM TO BE OBJECTIVE WHEN THEY ARE, IN FACT, BUDDY BUDDY WITH EVERYONE?
You look at the members of the sports media who have dared to take on ETSU in recent times. There is Shaun Butler in Newport, there is Trey Williams, and there is myself.
Two guys who effectively were from out of town at the time and then Trey, who covers UT and can pretty much write whatever he wants without fear of reprisal.
Also, as far as those in the regular mix, I would be the only one who you could make an arguement that is, and all I have is a message board I blog on.
It's one thing to want to have a good relationship with the subjects one covers. It's another to get into bed with them, and still another to then flaunt it on your radio show.
The morning show- which often has more people on the air at the same time than a Monday Night Football booth- has become a rundown of the announcers talking about their golf games with ETSU coaches and athletic executives.
For instance, today I learned that Kenny Hawkins knows that Murry Bartow and Tony Skole are great golfers who like to bet on the course.
I have learned that Don Helman- who champions his objectivity- plays golf with Dave Mullins and ETSU's new soccer coach.
In fact, playing golf with ETSU muckitty mucks seems to be a job requirement at this station.
Now, HOW IN THE WORLD CAN WE EXPECT OUR AREA'S OPINION MAKERS TO "TELL IT LIKE IT IS" IF THEY ARE CONTINUOUSLY SETTING TEE TIMES WITH THE VERY PEOPLE WHO HAVE DESTROYED THE DEPARTMENT?
HOW CAN WE TRUTHFULLY ASK THEM TO BE OBJECTIVE WHEN THEY ARE, IN FACT, BUDDY BUDDY WITH EVERYONE?
You look at the members of the sports media who have dared to take on ETSU in recent times. There is Shaun Butler in Newport, there is Trey Williams, and there is myself.
Two guys who effectively were from out of town at the time and then Trey, who covers UT and can pretty much write whatever he wants without fear of reprisal.
Also, as far as those in the regular mix, I would be the only one who you could make an arguement that is, and all I have is a message board I blog on.
It's one thing to want to have a good relationship with the subjects one covers. It's another to get into bed with them, and still another to then flaunt it on your radio show.