What the.......

I cover a lower level Division I-A football program. Wanted to do an off-beat feature on the abundance of tattoos on the team. There are some good ones. Something short and sweet with good graphics and pics. Just to mix it up. SID said I can't do the story and won't allow me to talk to players about it. Come on. Do I really have to do the story? No. But how do you let anyone tell you what or what you can't write. What do I do now? Thanks for the help.

 

I say fuck him and ask the kids about their tats anyway. I'm sure they'll love to talk about them. How's the SID going to stop you? Does he/she sit in on every interview?

Of course, I don't have to deal with said SID on a daily basis.

 

Two thoughts:
1. Why would you tell the SID what you're writing about?
2. Why would you listen the the SID and let him dictate what's in your paper?

Just write it.

 

Write the story.

 

Answer to 1. I can see telling the SID because maybe he can help you set up some sort of photo shoot or make sure you get one-on-one time with a kid in demand or with a tight schedule.

Answer to 2. There is none. You wouldn't. Fuck him and do the story anyway.

 

If there's any way to interview them without going through the SID, do it. Sounds like a good story.

 

I'd be interested to hear what Just_an_SID has to say about this.

Could be a fun story. I think it's an even better story in basketbal. The tats are so visible, I think readers would be intersted to hear why they players have them or what they signify, if anything.

 

My guess is a few of the players have some less-than-upstanding tats -- curse words, naked ladies, swastikas (for the ed norton followers).
I remember seeing a pretty prominent college player a few years back who had hate across his back.

 

Actually, all of the tats are clean. But thanks for everyone's advice. I'm writing the story on principle. The thing is this SID is so paranoid that he may have already briefed the players. And yes, he stands in on many interviews. I'm going to have one of our photo take some tat shots on the down low and I have a small digital and might get a posed shot or something. In the end, because of the lack of cooperation from the SID, the story won't be as good as it should. But I'm writing it. I will get back to you all. Again, thanks for writing..

 

Lower-level DIs need all the pub they can get. The SID is in no position to try to dictate coverage. What's he gonna do -- limit your access the rest of the season? Fine ... just let the AD know why you're drastically reducing the coverage in the paper. End of problem.

Just make sure your boss has your back.

 

Not to shit on your story idea, but I've noticed lately that a lot of stories lead with "The tattoo on xxxxxx's back/shoulder/neck is of a name/Chinese character/face. This is what it means to him." as a way to lead into a profile. It's starting to become a cliche.