Sports editor — The Natchez Democrat

[natchezdemocrat]

Sports editor
Natchez Newspapers Inc., a media group in historic southwest Mississippi that publishes a daily newspaper, magazines and niche publications, is recruiting its next sports editor. The Natchez Democrat is a 10,000-circulation newspaper surrounded by seven high schools and one university. Ideal recruits will have sports experience at a weekly or daily, Quark or InDesign experience and an eye for the story behind the game. Although much of our coverage is of preps and Alcorn State University, we branch out to LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss and the New Orleans Saints when pertinent. Editor duties will include writing, managing the sports staff, page design and, most important, a desire to learn and grow while making a difference with your work while you hone your knowledge and skills. For more information contact Managing Editor Julie Cooper at [email protected] or 601-445-3551.
www.natchezdemocrat.com

 

[Charlie_Runkel]

There is a lot of turnover with the No. 2 sportswriter spot in this gig, but Julie is a great person and does a really good job.

 

[natchezdemocrat]

Our number two has currently been in the job for more than a year and is a solid reporter who is easy to work with.

 

[2underpar]

where is jeff edwards headed?

 

[thebigd]

Anybody have any idea on pay?

 

[natchezdemocrat]

2underpar: Jeff is moving closer to his family.

thebidg: There's no set pay rate for this position; the salary depends on what the applicant brings to the table and what he does when he gets here.

 

[User 1019]

Julie came after I left, but I've heard nothing but good things about her. Kevin Cooper was the ME while I was there and was a great guy to work for, and I'm sure he still is (I'm sure he's still there). I really disliked the editor who was there at the time, but she's long gone.

Pay will be low. Hours will be long. A young person will learn a ton. If you're new to the game, go to Natchez.

I still miss the town -- and several of its bars.

I remember stumbling out the door of a sports bar there at 6 a.m. once. The owner and I had become friends, and regularly got toasted after closing time. Outside the door when I stumbled out? Yep. Mrs. t_b_f. Haven't done that since.

Good times down in Natchez.

 

[anonymous1]

How quickly are they looking to fill the position?

 

[2underpar]

i'd be willing to bet asap. small shop, ya know.

 

[theg02guy]

This is a great paper to break into the business/learn what it takes to make it as a journalist. I wasn't in Natchez long, but I'll never forget my time there. I learned a lot, especially from Julie.

Applicants must be dedicated.

 

[newspaperman]

I would apply, but I'm sure it's the same **** - different day. One or two people in a sports department - with a boat load of schools who all want a picture and game story. Journalism is dying.

 

[MusicalSportswriter]

How is Natchez as a town compared to Cleveland in the Mississippi Delta?

 

[User 1019]

It's been a while since I was in Natchez, and I've since heard when the economy collapsed Natchez lost a lot of industry and took a pretty good hit.

Natchez is an old money town with much, much better food than Cleveland. Not much nightlife there, save the occasional trip to the bar or movie theater.

 

[Drip]

It's been a while since I was in Natchez, and I've since heard when the economy collapsed Natchez lost a lot of industry and took a pretty good hit.

Natchez is an old money town with much, much better food than Cleveland. Not much nightlife there, save the occasional trip to the bar or movie theater.

Cleveland, Ohio or Cleveland, Mississippi?

 

[Blitz]

I would apply, but I'm sure it's the same **** - different day. One or two people in a sports department - with a boat load of schools who all want a picture and game story. Journalism is dying.

I know a person, works in a one-person shop save for stringer contributions.
When we were together, there were actually 3 of us, we all made 25.
Now, this person is the only guy and he makes over 40.
And he has no layout responsibility.
The layout was fun a lot of the time, but it was always the most time-consuming element of the small shop.
Now, he can put more creative time into his roundups of prep call-ins or other copy he produces and he's home sooner.
The byproduct is that there are fewer jobs available at the small shops.

 

[Drip]

I would apply, but I'm sure it's the same **** - different day. One or two people in a sports department - with a boat load of schools who all want a picture and game story. Journalism is dying.

I know a person, works in a one-person shop save for stringer contributions.
When we were together, there were actually 3 of us, we all made 25.
Now, this person is the only guy and he makes over 40.
And he has no layout responsibility.
The layout was fun a lot of the time, but it was always the most time-consuming element of the small shop.
Now, he can put more creative time into his roundups of prep call-ins or other copy he produces and he's home sooner.
The byproduct is that there are fewer jobs available at the small shops.

No layout? He's lucky. Many at the one-horse pony stops do it all.

 

[Bamadog]

I would apply, but I'm sure it's the same **** - different day. One or two people in a sports department - with a boat load of schools who all want a picture and game story. Journalism is dying.

I know a person, works in a one-person shop save for stringer contributions.
When we were together, there were actually 3 of us, we all made 25.
Now, this person is the only guy and he makes over 40.
And he has no layout responsibility.
The layout was fun a lot of the time, but it was always the most time-consuming element of the small shop.
Now, he can put more creative time into his roundups of prep call-ins or other copy he produces and he's home sooner.
The byproduct is that there are fewer jobs available at the small shops.

No layout? He's lucky. Many at the one-horse pony stops do it all.

I know I did at another stop at the Magnolia State. It wears you down to a nub quickly.

 

[thebigd]

Anybody heard anything? I applied two weeks ago, but other than Julie answering questions about staff and page count, have not heard a thing

 

[Stitch]

Anybody heard anything? I applied two weeks ago, but other than Julie answering questions about staff and page count, have not heard a thing

It's Christmas.

 

[swamp trash]

How is Natchez as a town compared to Cleveland in the Mississippi Delta?

Natchez is a sleepy little town with a ton of history and stuff to look at. Lots of old mansions, plantation homes, Civil War history, Indian reservations, bed and breakfasts, etc. There is all kinds of history, if you're into that kind of stuff you'll never get bored. The whole surrounding area is called "Miss-Lou" Right on the border with Louisiana. It's a pretty nice place to be if you like small town life.

As for the job, it's a tough one from everything I've heard. Not impossible, by any means, just be prepared to put a lot into it. Two-man operation and your No. 2 guy is typically a kid just out of college. The surrounding papers are all pretty good about sharing stuff as long as you're willing to reciprocate from time to time.

VERY good prep football in the area, particularly from the Louisiana side of the border where you have a couple of perennial small-school powerhouses and traditionally strong baseball as well.

I could see it being a fun job. If I weren't stranded in desolate Indiana I would apply for it in a heartbeat.