Gainesville, Ga.

[philly fanatic]

The Times, Gainesville, Ga. is seeking a sports writer to round out and improve our award-winning four-person staff. We strive to be the best at what we do, and what we do is prep sports. Opportunities to cover major college sports, primarily the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, also arise, but what separates us is our comprehensive coverage of our 15+ local high schools – nine of which compete in the same region. Job duties are writing-centered, but some desk responsibilities are included, so layout/design experience is a big plus. Other requirements include the ability to produce clean, accurate, lively copy that jumps off the page, as well as a journalism/communications-related degree, or equivalent experience in the field. Our staff is young and motivated. If you’d like to be a part of it, send a cover letter, resume and five writing samples to: [email protected] or Brent Holloway, The Times, PO Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503. The Times is a seven-day daily newspaper (circ. 26,000) in rapidly growing Gainesville, Ga., about an hour from downtown Atlanta. We offer medical benefits, paid vacations, 401K and mileage/expense reimbursement.

 

[John]

Brent was a stringer at the Athens Banner-Herald a couple of years ago. That might tell you plenty -- and that's not meant as a dig at Brent.

 

[buckweaver]

Who's leaving?

 

[boots]

This one keeps opening up. That's all I'm going to say.

 

[buckweaver]

This one keeps opening up. That's all I'm going to say.

There's a reason, and that reason has little to do with the editorial staff or the area. That's all I'm only going to say.

Actually, I'll say a little more: This paper has long been a nice stepping stone. I can't say enough great things about the ME -- he's been in my corner since I was a cub (although he'd like it better if I said Cardinal. ;D). There are plenty of opportunities here that will make a young writer better, and help him/her move up.

That said, read the first graf above. Then read the second. Then read the first again.

 

[philly fanatic]

Is it a problem in the sports department or poor / incompetent management (managing editor and/or publisher)?

How big is the staff?

 

[MU_was_not_so_hard]

Four person -- says in the ad.

 

[Pencil Dick]

Publisher here is a longtime friend, but his background is in Advertising, with no Editorial experience until he got his current gig(s). I imagine he would be a hard-ass to work for, but that's not always a bad thing.

 

[boots]

So many openings at this place in recent years. And to be honest, it's not like the people who left went to all that much better places.
I think Gainesville was better when it was under Gannett leadership. Morris (and this isn't the Augusta Chronicle or Florida Times-Union owned Morris. That's his brother) is scary in a lot of ways.

 

[heyuimintojsus]

The last time there was a writer and SE positions open, they promoted from within. The writer is going back home to Alabama.

 

[philly fanatic]

MU: What, you expect me to actually get through the first sentence of the ad? My bad. Hopefully reading comprehension is not a prerequisite for this position.

 

[cwysock]

got a wife and a baby who mean a little more to me than the job did.

i'm actually getting out of the industry all together. It's not because The Times is bad, but moreso due to the fact that I need a regular 9-5 to be the husband/dad I want to be.

Brent's a good guy to work for...

 

[doubledown68]

any chance the pay would be higher than the circulation. I know it's an idiotic question, but asking them is why I got into the business

 

[The Franchise]

Hey boots, weren't you pretty upset a while back when your friend didn't get hired for this job? That may explain your negative depiction of The Times.
That's not all I'm going to say.
There has been some turnover there in recent years. But from what I know and from what I'm told, those who left moved up nicely or got out of the industry because of opportunities more conducive to family life - in other words, "to all that much better places."
This job is underrated, likely because of the turnover. The dept. has a young staff with a lot of freedom, and there's a rare concentration of high-quality high school sports. Prep football there is pretty darn good, and the basketball talent there is even better. Not to mention, it's an area where population is exploding.
It's a great place for a young journalist to work, particularly for those who may want to get to Atlanta or Athens every now and then.
And yes, there actually are opportunities to cover UGa, Ga. tech sports on occasion (football/basketball).
Depending on experience, I'd guess pay there would be low-mid 20s.
All in all, it's a good place for a young journalist to get experience, have a little fun, and move on to bigger and better places.

 

[boots]

Wasn't upset. Miffed might be a better word but he landed some place better. Yes it is a young staff and the sports in the area is very good. The Company that owns it, Moris, however leaves a lot to be desired. I'm sure I'm not alone in that assessment.

 

[PageTurner]

New to posting;but read frequently. Does anyone know where this position is at in the process? Anyone called for interviews yet? What's the pay? When do they expect it to be filled? Thanks!

 

[Mystery_Meat]

This one keeps opening up. That's all I'm going to say.

Dear god, please tell me you're talking about the job.

 

[boots]

huh?

 

[Mystery_Meat]

huh?

PROTIP: It's a joke about your, um, traditional port of entry.

Sorry for the threadjack, folks. Back to Gaw-juh we go.

 

[AJSmartschan]

New to posting;but read frequently. Does anyone know where this position is at in the process? Anyone called for interviews yet? What's the pay? When do they expect it to be filled? Thanks!

They've started contacting people for interviews, as far as I know.