Indiana beat writer, The Herald-Times (Bloomington, Ind.)

[BYUSportsGuy]

Like was said above, Bloomington is a top-notch college town. Everyone should want this gig. I lived in Kentucky and Indiana for two years and loved it. If you think Bloomington is a terrible place to live, you're crazy. Go to the Sandusky or Roswell thread—then you'll see a terrible place to live!

 

[Mark2010]

I suspect the job has gotten much more tolerable since noted media critic --- turned media talking head --- Robert Montgomery Knight has left town.

Oh, and no Kelvin Sampson to deal with, either.

 

[sportschick]

Bloomington is a really, really nice place. Probably the most liberal spot in the Midwest, but that's only right in town. It's a small, but very cosmopolitan town. And you're an hour from Indy, two from Louisville, 2.5 from Cincinnati, 4 from Chicago ...

Bloomington isn't even the most liberal town in the Great Lakes states, let alone all of the midwest! You've clearly never been to Athens, Ohio, where hippies moved after being a hippie became unpopular.

 

[writestuff1]

I've seen 400 tossed around a few times. Is that the over/under on the number of people who apply for the job? I would think it would be much higher these days.

 

[NightHawk112005]

Bloomington is a really, really nice place. Probably the most liberal spot in the Midwest, but that's only right in town. It's a small, but very cosmopolitan town. And you're an hour from Indy, two from Louisville, 2.5 from Cincinnati, 4 from Chicago ...

Bloomington isn't even the most liberal town in the Great Lakes states, let alone all of the midwest! You've clearly never been to Athens, Ohio, where hippies moved after being a hippie became unpopular.

Thank God I didn't go to Ohio U., then.

 

[I Should Coco]

I've seen 400 tossed around a few times. Is that the over/under on the number of people who apply for the job? I would think it would be much higher these days.

I'll take the over, definitely.

A chance to have a Big 10 football/basketball beat? These types of gigs don't open often, folks. Go for it!

And to echo what a few others have said, Bloomington is a great college town. Beautiful campus, and a good mix of students from different places (at least that's what I recall).

 

[GlenQuagmire]

The Herald-Times in Bloomington, Ind., needs a beat writer to cover Indiana University football and men’s basketball and to perform other duties as assigned. The applicant should have experience breaking news, writing enterprise and using all forms of new media to reach readers/viewers/users. Must have valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Deadline to apply is Friday, July 10. Send cover letter, resume and three writing samples to [email protected].

I'm guessing they are trying to discourage those who might ride horses to practice and/or games.

Surprised that a paper in Bloomington wouldn't have separate FB and BB writers. Does the person who gets this gig have a backup or do they just run him or her into the ground for a year or two and then hire another person?

Loved the part about other duties when assigned. Those who are kick-ass reporters who have covered both FB and BB on Division I beats seldom have the time to recharge in between seasons, let alone do too many other assignments.

Sounds like about four weeks of comp time might be needed to make up for all the seven-day workweeks, particularly during the football/hoops overlap.

I know plenty D1 FB and BB writers who do "other assignments" during their respective offseasons. Sure, it's a lot of work, but with this job market....tough ****. Either do it or get out of the way and let someone else do it.

It's all about drawing a line in the sand. When you're asked to do more than what you've budgeted for the week, talk with your boss about the priorities and adjust the schedule.

And if your boss isn't willing to work with you, then it's time to plan/implement your exit strategy.

 

[old_tony]

I've seen 400 tossed around a few times. Is that the over/under on the number of people who apply for the job? I would think it would be much higher these days.

I'm guessing all the folks who left the business and got other jobs are not looking to return to the business considering it will be dead in three years. *


* Unless we stop giving it away for free and training a whole new generation to never, ever pay for our product.

 

[Bubbler]

Bloomington is a really, really nice place. Probably the most liberal spot in the Midwest, but that's only right in town. It's a small, but very cosmopolitan town. And you're an hour from Indy, two from Louisville, 2.5 from Cincinnati, 4 from Chicago ...

Crimson, you know I love you, but seriously? Bloomington probably isn't in the top 10 most liberal spots in the Midwest.

Madison laughs at that.

 

[Bubbler]

Some good dudes at the H-T. Five years ago, I would've jumped on it. Good luck to those that do.

 

[clutchcargo]

Who is the SE at this shop? I may be blind but I couldn't find the info on the website. Sounds like a good gig but not a pleasurable task of reading hundreds of applications.

I believe Mr. Korman was just named the SE not long ago.

Harvey Korman? He's still dead, isn't he?

 

[sportsnut]

This is a gig that most people would die to get a shoot at. But like you have all said 400+ resumes and 300+ will never get so much as an email or call.

 

[Max Mercy]

This is a gig that most people would die to get a shoot at. But like you have all said 400+ resumes and 300+ will never get so much as an email or call.

Most people would die to get a shot at? Look, this is a very solid job. A job I might like to have, even, if I weren't tied down and content where I am. But, come on, I don't think too many people would die to get a shot at a job at a 25,000-circ suburban. I know the job market is grotesque, but this isn't the lead columnist gig at the Washington Post. It's a good job. Let's leave it at that.

 

[Doctor Seuss]

I agree. This would be a decent college beat to have, but I've already got one, and I'm quite content to stay where I'm at. This isn't Notre Dame or Texas football and it's not North Carolina or Kansas basketball. It's a good job for sure, but it's not sending chills up and down my spine.

Anyway, didn't this job come open just a couple years ago? Seems like I remember reading this on here previously. Maybe it was three or four years ago, but I'm almost positive this gig has been open somewhat recently. What happened to the guy that was covering Indiana for them?

 

[sportsguydave]

The former Indiana beat writer was just promoted to sports editor.

 

[rcsoxfan]

To all of you who are NOT from the Midwest and more specifically, INDIANA, this job is one of the premier jobs in the state. Being the hometown beat writer for the Hoosiers is considered by some to be royalty and at the very least knighthood, no pun intended.
While those of you who already have a beat job and haven't felt the sting of not having a job in the industry can only begin to appreciate what landing a job such as this one would mean to a person in the position that I'm sitting now. Not to elaborate or whine or cry, but for someone who has pounded away for nearly 10 years in small town markets and the last four in a tiny, low-paying, obscure market with a pair of bosses who decided to hire a replacement at less than the crappy wages I was getting before telling me, then planning on handing me the pink slip after the busiest sports season of the year so their new "boy" could be slowly spooned into the job, landing this job is just about one step short of utopia.
And before all you critics out there start lambasting me for this post, keep in mind that you don't always appreciate what you have until you don't have it.
I'd give more than any interest I've built in whatever forces that be to just get an interview for this job, which likely won't happen. and as for getting the job well, I can't imagine what that would be like.
Sorry guys if I'm sounding off the deep end, but unemployment, being told that after four years your work wasn't good enough anymore was just a little bit deflating.

 

[playthrough]

Sorry to read your story, rcsoxfan.

Your first sentence pretty much hits it. I'm an IU grad so I'll admit some bias, but for heaven's sake this is a very good job. I don't know what some of you are looking for, but if you're looking for a better college beat gig to send "chills up your spine", you'll be looking for a long time. Especially these days.

 

[sportsguydave]

To all of you who are NOT from the Midwest and more specifically, INDIANA, this job is one of the premier jobs in the state. Being the hometown beat writer for the Hoosiers is considered by some to be royalty and at the very least knighthood, no pun intended.
While those of you who already have a beat job and haven't felt the sting of not having a job in the industry can only begin to appreciate what landing a job such as this one would mean to a person in the position that I'm sitting now. Not to elaborate or whine or cry, but for someone who has pounded away for nearly 10 years in small town markets and the last four in a tiny, low-paying, obscure market with a pair of bosses who decided to hire a replacement at less than the crappy wages I was getting before telling me, then planning on handing me the pink slip after the busiest sports season of the year so their new "boy" could be slowly spooned into the job, landing this job is just about one step short of utopia.
And before all you critics out there start lambasting me for this post, keep in mind that you don't always appreciate what you have until you don't have it.
I'd give more than any interest I've built in whatever forces that be to just get an interview for this job, which likely won't happen. and as for getting the job well, I can't imagine what that would be like.
Sorry guys if I'm sounding off the deep end, but unemployment, being told that after four years your work wasn't good enough anymore was just a little bit deflating.

What a couple of ****heads you musy have worked for, rcsoxfan. That really sucks.

Keep your head up ... there's got to be something out there for a good sportswriter like yourself.

And as for the asshats at your former shop ... They'll get it all back. Karma is a ***** ... and she's got game.

 

[sportsguydave]

Bob Hammel had that gig for decades, I wouldn't say he was run into the ground. And Indiana football isn't the most grueling of beats in terms of a consistently good team that's gonna keep you swamped through a January bowl game.

As for the "other duties," if that's a deal-breaker for you, well, there's gonna be at least 400 other candidates who won't have a problem with it. (Edit: what Ryan said.)

Good point regarding Mr. Hammel.

The deal-breaker for me (not saying it is for everyone) would be living in Indiana. Not interested in a downward move in terms of what I cover now or where I live.

Looks like the SE provided answers to the points I raised.

Good luck to those interested.

Speaking on behalf of the people of the great state of Indiana, we're crushed that you won't be coming to work in our fine state.

*sarcasm off*

 

[rcsoxfan]

Thanks sportsguydave for the positive thoughts and for the continued hope for kharma...it is a funny thing and hopefully you're right. we'll hang in there and see what happens...