Derby credentials for the wife?

A TV guy I know was waltzing around Augusta National this year with daughter in tow one day and a friend of his who is a former college hoops coach the other day. Not sure that people are as tough as they used to be.

 

I could be wrong, but wasn't that LSU pressbox story debunked?

 

Haven't we all heard stories, though, from children of beat writers who remember their dads taking them into the press box and into locker rooms to meet some of the players?
How does that work, and how ethical is that?

 

Probably 10 years old. Salt Lake 2002. Hockey.

 

It should be considered taboo. Sadly, it's not in some circles.

 

With all that happened last year with Eight Belles and Big Brown I bet the Derby people are trying to jump through hoops to do everything they can to get good press out of everyone there- especially someone that represents the World Wide Evil.
It's a sad state of affairs, but it doesn't shock me.
Now if one of us tried to do it, our creds couldn't be revoked faster. Bank on it.

 

Always wondered about that -- if Dad doesn't take the kids, he's seen as a lousy dad and blowing a great father-son bonding opportunity that could be remembered fondly for years. Then again, if he does, he's not being truly professional. I've known guys who opt to do it and then make anyone who questions it feel like a heartless bastard.

To me, that's worse than just doing it, knowing you're wrong and keeping a low profile about it.

Don't even get me started on the MEs and EEs who get credentials through their sports department's just to attend events or hang in locker rooms.

 

I know the Masters and certain college football championship/bowl games will allow you to purchase "spouse" tickets. So, we're saying this was a straight-up credential, not a ticket?

 

Bill Millsaps, a man I greatly respect, used to do this frequently with his girlfriend/wife. I was in college working for the school newspaper. I thought it was standard practice, so when I was in my second year with the student newspaper, I brought my girlfriend with me into the press box at the Oyster Bowl (no press pass). The SID got her a seat and two days later chewed me out like I had never been chewed out before (or since).

 

It would imagine that of all of the "national" sporting events where coverage is being hacked by sports department belt-tightening, the Kentucky Derby has to be very high on the list.

 

Wonder what the Indy 500 (ALWAYS worth a trip) will look like in three weeks.