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McNeese Beat/Lake Charles American Press

Discussion in 'Journalism Jobs' started by willie, Jul 21, 2008.

  1. Anything happening here?

    I see Lake Charles just advanced to the Little League World Series. I assume that news was not greeted with cheers in a sports department that's down a man and already presumably dealing with a football tab and preseason coverage.

    Sounds like a stringer opportunity for someone in Pennsylvania.
     
  2. BrianGriffin

    BrianGriffin Active Member

    The word on the street is the list has been cut down considerably.

    Lake Charles was lucky in Waco because a long-time football Friday stringer had moved to Waco for his day job. So he was there to run with that story. Williamsport? That one may be open.

    My question is what does two LSU beat writer positions coming open simultaneously two hours away do to the candidate pool? I wonder if anybody will slow play this one while they throw their hat in the BR ring...
     
  3. StaggerLee

    StaggerLee Well-Known Member

    That's three quality jobs there, so I'd imagine quite a few candidates will throw their name into both hats and be happy with either job.

    The LSU beat writer jobs caught me off-guard, especially the two guys that are leaving. Either way, two really attractive positions came open.
     
  4. Rabalais does not have an LSU beat at the Advocate. He's officially the columnist, although all sports staffers write columns on their beats, and he's also an extremely active and valuable part of beat coverage in football. Weathers, on the other hand, has the women's basketball and softball beats, plus recruiting.

    So, technically, there are two LSU beats open, but vacated by the same person. Both are women's sports.

    It's my understanding there is a lot of gray area there about roles that are not clearly defined at times, which is one reason many assumed Rabalais was the football beat writer. He's not, which is why the actual beat writer told me he is frustrated that the SE agreed to have the paper buy Rabalais a Football Writers Association of America membership but not buy one for the beat writer.

    If you think it sounds like a place where there's lots of uncertainty over who's got what role, you're right.

    So, Lake Charles didn't hire the guy from the furniture store? I wonder if he's also an LSU fan.
     
  5. willie

    willie New Member

    Brian is right that the list has been whittled significantly. It's really overwhelming the quality of candidates I've been sifting through. It's kind of like last night when I was fortunate enough to judge the finals of a bikini contest at the local casino. There just weren't any dogs left. Anybody could have won. But Brian is also right that we are currently scrambling to get somebody in Williamsport for the LL World Series (whereas the other three times that team went up there, we staffed it). Will probably go the stringer route. Anybody interested or know somebody that is, email me at shobbs@americanpress.com
     
  6. StaggerLee

    StaggerLee Well-Known Member

    So what you're saying is that you're looking for someone to help you in Williamsport? Because I know you're dying to make that trip. :)

    Speaking of, that Kennon Fontenot looks like he's got a bright future ahead of him.

    Good luck with the hiring process.
     
  7. BrianGriffin

    BrianGriffin Active Member

    Gunner Leger has some good genes in him too. That's why Lafayette people can't let McNeese hire away the fathers of talented players...
     
  8. Any news on this one? I was told the list had been whittled to 15 and that more news would be forthcoming later that week and then... nothing.

    I fear I've packed my life into a rental truck and left it idling in the driveway all for naught.
     
  9. 2muchcoffeeman

    2muchcoffeeman Well-Known Member

    No idea, but a good guy in that part of the country with strong college beat experience has become available in the past few days in case the position hasn't already been filled.
     
  10. Riddick

    Riddick Active Member

    I know one person already turned this one down, though not sure why.
     
  11. micropolitan guy

    micropolitan guy Well-Known Member

    I think he knows a thing or two about Lake Charles, too, and might be easily available for a quick interview.
     
  12. I hear it was salary related. A guy I know told me the offer was pretty low for the paper's main beat.
     
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