Just sent this e-mail to the sports editor at the Ledger:
Drew van Esselstyn | Star-Ledger Sports Editor
The Star-Ledger's Sports Editor since 2009, reached at dvanesselstyn@starledger.com or (973) 392-4231.
Dear Drew:
Having started my career as a newspaper journalist and graduate of Seton Hall, I have always defended your paper when the topic of sports coverage came up. I understand the difficult of covering many sports and especially today when money is tight and the staff is short. Many of my fellow grads have either discontinued the paper for any number of reasons or just stopped reading it.
Sadly, you really blew this one, Drew.
I opened the Sunday sports section expecting to find at least an article on the first page about the game between the 2 premier men's basketball programs in the state -- named the Garden State Hardwood Trophy. Instead, I found buried on page 7 an AP wire story and a photo. No quotes from the coaches, not much of anything. Joe Calabrese, who I used to work with, would be rolling his eyes in disbelief if he was here to see what has happened to his paper.
Then from what I was told, and please correct me if I misunderstood here, there were 2 reporters at the game but they were there to bird dog Hobbs to get a scoop on the new FB coach. You have to be kidding me, Drew, if that is true. That, if anything, should have been a sidebar at best. It was a basketball game not a Hobbs presser. I know all about the number of papers alums from Rutgers may buy verses Seton Hall alums but sometimes you do have to cover the events as they are unfolding and not get caught up in circulation numbers.
Perhaps neither SH or RU will make the NCAAs this year and are not strong teams - that is not the point. You are the state paper and you had the 2 predominant state men's teams playing for a trophy you guys named only 2 years ago and you did not even bother to cover it.
Drew, you just made my attempt to support you guys that much harder with your embarrassing coverage over the weekend.
If you would like to respond, please free free to drop me a note.
(gave full name)
Seton Hall '73
BA - Comm Arts
Drew van Esselstyn | Star-Ledger Sports Editor
The Star-Ledger's Sports Editor since 2009, reached at dvanesselstyn@starledger.com or (973) 392-4231.
Dear Drew:
Having started my career as a newspaper journalist and graduate of Seton Hall, I have always defended your paper when the topic of sports coverage came up. I understand the difficult of covering many sports and especially today when money is tight and the staff is short. Many of my fellow grads have either discontinued the paper for any number of reasons or just stopped reading it.
Sadly, you really blew this one, Drew.
I opened the Sunday sports section expecting to find at least an article on the first page about the game between the 2 premier men's basketball programs in the state -- named the Garden State Hardwood Trophy. Instead, I found buried on page 7 an AP wire story and a photo. No quotes from the coaches, not much of anything. Joe Calabrese, who I used to work with, would be rolling his eyes in disbelief if he was here to see what has happened to his paper.
Then from what I was told, and please correct me if I misunderstood here, there were 2 reporters at the game but they were there to bird dog Hobbs to get a scoop on the new FB coach. You have to be kidding me, Drew, if that is true. That, if anything, should have been a sidebar at best. It was a basketball game not a Hobbs presser. I know all about the number of papers alums from Rutgers may buy verses Seton Hall alums but sometimes you do have to cover the events as they are unfolding and not get caught up in circulation numbers.
Perhaps neither SH or RU will make the NCAAs this year and are not strong teams - that is not the point. You are the state paper and you had the 2 predominant state men's teams playing for a trophy you guys named only 2 years ago and you did not even bother to cover it.
Drew, you just made my attempt to support you guys that much harder with your embarrassing coverage over the weekend.
If you would like to respond, please free free to drop me a note.
(gave full name)
Seton Hall '73
BA - Comm Arts
