College sports reporter--USA Today

[ballscribe]

A job like this is extensive travel so I can't see them demanding you live in NoVa. I'd assume any place convenient to a major airport would be the ideal.

Where did Malcolm go? He's a good man.

You'd think that, but they flew me down there to interview for a job a short time ago, one that also would involve a lot of travel, and were adamant that relocation to McLean was required. It didn't come from the first 156 levels of editors I talked to (I swear to God, someone who writes a story for that paper probably doesn't even recognize it when it makes the paper, given the strata of people who get their hands on every story - such the polar opposite of what I'm used to), but right from the very top guy. If he wants it, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Since I had less than zero interest in relocating to that particular area, that was pretty much it.

If that helps.

Although rumor has it one recent hire called their bluff and after taking the job under those conditions called back and said the big move was not possible. The 156 editors caved and the person kept the job without having to move.

I guess that's up to your conscience. I wouldn't be able to be anything less than upfront about that, but that's just me. It's also probably easier to say what you think, rather than what you think they want to hear, when you already have a good gig and aren't desperate to make a change.

Moot point, anyway; once I got halfway through the first day of interviews, I realized it would be the worst reporter/newspaper fit in the history of the western world, because of all those levels. Interesting experience seeing how the place operated, though. And nice people.

 

[torrie_wilson]

anyone have any updates about this opening? finalists? has it been filled?

 

[WSKY]

Why do they even advertise a job like that? It's got to be a Gannett HR thing. You know all sorts of clowns are going to put in for that gig.
And if anyone with only 5 years experience gets that job, I'll **** a brick. That's a big-boy/big-girl job if there ever was one. You get that with 5 years experience, then you must be a f'n stud like John Holmes.....

You certainly start to wonder when you see USA Today posted, Louisville posted, etc. Maybe we're just being cynical. Maybe some SEs really do want to see what's out there? Can't hurt, right?

Or they are trying to get away from the usual suspects.

 

[Blitz]

Why do they even advertise a job like that? It's got to be a Gannett HR thing. You know all sorts of clowns are going to put in for that gig.
And if anyone with only 5 years experience gets that job, I'll **** a brick. That's a big-boy/big-girl job if there ever was one. You get that with 5 years experience, then you must be a f'n stud like John Holmes.....

Word, er, Wad
Anyway ...
Sheesh guys, we ***** when they don't post these jobs and then we ***** when they do.
Get over it.
Submit some clips and maybe ramp up on the short list. Who knows?
Be confident, while at the same time being realistic.
Allow life to be a bowl of cherries

 

[Sxysprtswrtr]

Any updates on this? I have heard some rumblings about two finalists.

 

[Moderator1]

From the pipeline:

Marlen Garcia of the Chicago Tribune is going to USA Today to cover college hoops.

 

[dadsawriter]

I'm a little less than enthused over this hire given some of the names I'd heard were interviewed/interested.

 

[torrie_wilson]

agreed. who is this guy? and who did he beat out?

 

[Chi City 81]

Marlen Garcia covered the Bulls this past season.

 

[accguy]

and "he" is a she

 

[espnguy]

Marlen was a long-time prep writer who finally got a shot at the U of I beat a few years ago. Yes, she was on the Bulls beat this year, but I think it was more so by default when K.C. Johnson was moved over to do the Bears.

I'm willing to bet that geography played a big part of USAT's decision, as Malcolm Moran -- the previous college/enterprise writer who went to Penn State earlier this year to chair its Knight Sports Journalism Fellowship -- also lived in Chicago, as does Marlen. I don't see her relocating to Virginia.

 

[deportes]

marlen garcia is talented, and dan mcgrath wouldn't promote someone to the bulls' beat just for the sake of doing so. she's staying in chicago. she's a local.

 

[Better_Off_Red]

Really nice hire. She's good, will be good. Love it.

 

[SportsScribe5]

Marlen is good people. And she's made quite a meteoric rise in the last 3-4 years from covering the state girls golf tournament to becoming USA Today's college writer. Good for her. Anybody know if that leaves the Trib needing another body?

 

[Chris Silva]

The Tribune is on a hiring freeze.

 

[Jinga_Thomson]

Aren't they all?

 

[da man]

If the Trib has a hiring freeze, why does it have six jobs (none in sports) posted right now on JournalismJobs.com?

 

[Chi City 81]

If the Trib has a hiring freeze, why does it have six jobs (none in sports) posted right now on JournalismJobs.com?

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/32569/