Identifying commonly-known people

On first reference for big-name coaches and players, do you need their titles or can it be assumed people know who they are?

Such as: "I like football," Jim Tressel said.
"I like football," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.
"I like football," coach Jim Tressel said.
"I like football," head coach Jim Tressel said.

And so on.

 

In a news story, yes. It's always President Bush, not Dubya in AP copy.

In a column or feature, knock yourself out to play with things.

 

That I knew.

That I was afraid of.

 

I had to mention Tiger Woods in passing recently in an article. I didn't say "pro golfer Tiger Woods." I made what I think is a safe assumption that people knew who he was, and it was pretty obvious from context anyway.

Besides, he's so now (snicker).

 

Yeah, but you weren't quoting him.

If you were, I'd say a full title on first reference, unless it's obvious who he is -- i.e. it's a column on The Open or somesuch.

 

I always use a resonable-length title in all stories, even on my beat, when identifying people.

Thus, it's always "said head coach Mike Walter," even though I'm covering the Johnstown Flames exclusively and they only have one head coach.

In your example, I'd at least put "Ohio State coach Jim Tressel" in non-beat matters and "head coach Jim Tressel" if you're a Buckeyes beat writer.

 

I fall under the "attribute EVERYTHING" category.

Former Orioles shortstop and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.

Then again, I've broken from AP and required first AND last names of Presidents even when they're not H-Dub and Dub.

One of the very few names I'd think would need no attribution is Madonna. And I'd even attribute her.

 

Jim who?

 

... the former German Furor Adolf Hitler.

 

Yes, that Hitler did create quite a furor.

 

I prefer the old Spy magazine style:

"Donald Trump, short-fingered vulgarian . . . "

. . . myself . . .

 

Any parallels drawn to Butsch do that, around here, as well . . .