Sports writer, Ashland (Ohio) Times-Gazette

[Scouter]

From journalismjobs.com

Company: The Ashland Times-Gazette
Position: Sports writer
Location: Ashland, Ohio
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: Not Specified
Ad Expires: July 2, 2008
Job ID: 429924
Website: http://www.times-gazette.com

Description:
Covering high school,youth and community sports are our bread-and-butter. The Ashland Times-Gazette is looking for a full-time sports writer who knows the best stories are often on the local sandlots and at the Y along with the bowling alleys and golf courses. We cover nine high schools along with Ashland University, a NCAA Division II school. The Times-Gazette is a 12,000-circulation, six-day A.M. and is consistently recognized as one of the best newspapers of its size in Ohio. Ashland, a county seat and college town, is located in North Central Ohio, with both Cleveland and Columbus just a little more than an hour away. We are seeking applicants with previous professional experience or at least one good internship during college. The application deadline is June 10, although the interviewing process will begin immediately. Send 6-8 samples of your work to Ted Daniels, Editor, Ashland Times-Gazette, 40 E. Second St, Ashland, OH 44805, or [email protected].

 

[expectingrain]

"the best stories are often on the local sandlots and at the Y along with the bowling alleys and golf courses"

'Nuff said

 

[KYSportsWriter]

"the best stories are often on the local sandlots and at the Y along with the bowling alleys and golf courses"

'Nuff said

So does that equal stay away?

 

[Tiger16]

I don't know about the job, but I know a little about the place.

It's a nice, small town, right off 71, probably a little less than an hour to Columbus and a little more than an hour to Cleveland. Good sports place in that people care deeply about their local high school teams, and I know Ashland U is always good at baseball and is getting really good at football.

It's way more Green Acres than big city, but I'd think this job would provide some decent opportunities.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Ashland is world headquarters of nice people, if you believe the sign on the interstate

 

[lmcmillan33]

I know someone who held this position a few years ago. This person seemed to be OK with it, and never said anything bad about the paper or coworkers. I've come across a few writers from there on occasion, but I don't know them well. I believe at least a couple people on staff have been there a good while. High school sports and Ashland U. are mostly what they do, so don't be too turned away by the community-type stories.

 

[Buckeye12]

Turned around there, more than an hour to Columbus, less than an hour to Cleveland.
Men's fastpitch softball used to be huge there at one time. They also host a girls high school softball tournament that got national attention at one time.

 

[sportschick]

Ashland is a pit. Can't speak to the paper, however.

 

[lmcmillan33]

Ashland no longer hosts the state tournament for softball.

I've only been to Ashland about five times, and I certainly didn't seem like a pit. Seems like a typical small college town to me. They also are making major renovations to the university athletic facilities, which sound pretty nice.

 

[thebigd]

No offense sportschick, and I'm sure you are well-more traveled than I, but Las Cruces, New Mexico and Ruston, Louisiana are pits. I cant believe Ashland is worse

 

[LMC08]

I know someone who held this position a few years ago. This person seemed to be OK with it, and never said anything bad about the paper or coworkers. I've come across a few writers from there on occasion, but I don't know them well. I believe at least a couple people on staff have been there a good while. High school sports and Ashland U. are mostly what they do, so don't be too turned away by the community-type stories.

They don't host the state softball tournament anymore, but still host I think the Wendys tournament, which is the national recognition one of the two. They had two writers and a sports editor there together for a good 2-3 years and when I ran into them I seemed to get along pretty good with them, anyone know who left?

I also know someone who used to work there about 3-4 years ago and basically, whoever gets this job will be working with two good guys in sports (whichever two they are) but there isn't a lot of "freedom" from what I gather to be their own section...my buddy said their owner and publisher have their handprints all over every aspect of that paper, hence the youth sports. And believe me McMillan, we used to rib by buddy good because they do a LOT more youth sports coverage than you think.

Ahhhh...nothing like glorified press for 7-year old kids...but the lack of freedom and little league coverage aside, my buddy LOVED that job while he was there so I'd say go for it if your thinking about applying...

 

[Chad Conant]

I had this job before the guy who left. You can private me for more on it, if you want. I still work in the chain, so my thoughts should stay private.

Youth coverage is incredibly significant to them.

 

[Mooninite]

Today's story covered by a staffer was a Minor League (looks like 11-12 year olds) softball game between the Lime Green and Red teams that ended in a 13-13 tie. That should answer any questions about how they cover youth sports.
http://www.times-gazette.com/news/article/3884571

 

[lmcmillan33]

I doubt there is much else going on this time of year in terms of sports, so I guess it gives them something to do. I'd probably rather be out of the office covering Little League (and I have before for a much larger paper) than do some of the other stupid tasks that could be assigned just to stay busy in the summer.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

I saw the paper when I stopped in Ashland on the way to Columbus a couple weekends ago. The entire front page of the sports section was devoted to local stuff. I don't even remember seeing a Cleveland Indians story on there.

 

[NQLBLQ]

Job has been reopened....

http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=429924

 

[BigSleeper]

Job has been reopened....

http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=429924

I just think they're holding out for Jones.

 

[td truckers]

Job has been reopened....

http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=429924

Yes, this job was re-opened from the second vacancy, but not the first...they filled a sports writer position in June, but then lost another in late August and are still looking for a replacement. Gotta be tough to be down a man during fall sports...

 

[boxand1]

No, they never lost anyone in late August. They simply never filled it.

 

[td truckers]

boxand1,

That is 100% incorrect. They lost Dusty Sloan, who had been there for 15 years in some capacity, in late August...his last night was the season opener for high school football. He's now free-lancing in the Columbus area for This Week Newspapers.