Sports Editor, Victoria, TX

We have the team in place to create one of the nation's best community sports sections, but we need a talented and organized coach. While most of the industry is mired in a downward spiral, we’re a progressive, family-owned company that sees the opportunities for growth. We’re on a quest to be one of the best community newspapers and digital delivery systems in the country. We're looking for a sports editor who swings for the fences -- thorough prep coverage, nontraditional sports stories, and in-depth features -- and carries a good batting average. Ability to speak Spanish a plus. We’re a 33,000-circulation daily in south Texas about 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. We’re close to the beach and the big, fun cities of Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Houston. To join our team, send your résumé, work samples and cover letter to the Victoria Advocate, attention Editor Chris Cobler, at either ccobler@vicad.com or mail to 311 E. Constitution, Victoria, TX 77901.

 

Wasn't this job filled a couple of months ago? Wonder what happened.

 

Victoria has popped up a couple of times recently:

Sports editor, May: http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/70269/
Assistant presentation editor/sports, June: http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/70492/
Both jobs, September 2008: http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/61480/

What is yon flag flying in the distance? Is it red?

 

It certainly ain't checkered.

 

The editor -- the guy who was let go before starting at Poynter after it came out that his Colorado paper repurposed copy under AP bylines -- has a very specific vision of what he wants his newsroom to be, and he has had a hard time finding the people to make it happen. The city itself has new and older parts, and it is within a few hours of Houston and San Antonio.

 

This surprises me. Victoria is a really progressive paper that actually is growing and makes money. They do a lot of good stuff on the news side and are well respected. They haven't been able to replicate it on sports, which I guess explains this. I know the guy that they hired back in June, and, while the guy is nice and works hard, I was surprised at the hire. Don't know what happened.

 

So what does Cobler want and why would you work for an editor whose ethics are in doubt? The AP, though, takes stories from member newspapers at will. I don't know if that legit or if stories from members are supposed to be uploaded to its system first.

 

This guy?



Victoria has done well in regional APSE contests in the past.

 

The name is Cobler not Dobler.

 

It'll be Surrender White after a few more quick entries/exits.

 

Is Victoria like the other Texas coastal cities ... one huge refinery after the other?

 

Victoria's a nice place. Centrally located in Texas, great reputation as far as winning plenty of awards, and a nice place to live and work.

It is interesting, however, that this will be their 4th SE in about two years.