Sports writer, Meridian, MS

[jlw]

The Meridian Star, a 15,000 daily circulation newspaper covering East Mississippi, is looking for a versatile sports-minded journalist to round out its three-man sports staff. We are looking for someone with a strong work ethic, sports knowledge and the ability to manage multiple tasks at once. This full-time staff member will help us cover local sports — including three junior colleges, more than a dozen local high schools and more. If you’re interested in working in one of the best sports areas in the state, e-mail a cover letter, resume and clips to Editor Fredie Carmichael at [email protected].

 

[Runnin Rebel]

This may sound like a mean question, but is Meridian considered a big town by Mississippi standards? I see it's halfway between Tuscaloosa and Jackson and when I zoom out on Google Maps, I see its name still.

 

[JackReacher]

I stopped there for gas and a quick bite to eat once on my way to New Orleans. Didn't seem like there was much there. But I guess the same can be said about the whole state.

 

[heyuimintojsus]

Jamie, who's leaving?

 

[e_bowker]

This may sound like a mean question, but is Meridian considered a big town by Mississippi standards? I see it's halfway between Tuscaloosa and Jackson and when I zoom out on Google Maps, I see its name still.

By Mississippi standards, it's bigger than most but smaller than some. Nowhere near the size (or things to do) as Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi or Southaven. More on par with the sleepier burgs of Vicksburg and Natchez, except without the casinos. Probably a little over an hour from Tuscaloosa and Jackson, so it's even a bit far for a quick jaunt. There are worse places in the state to live, though.

 

[dixiehack]

Probably about 40-50k population. There's a mall and the usual assortment of chain restaraunts, so it isn't completely the end of the world. And you'll likely make friends with the state troopers is you try to reach Tuscaloosa or Jackson in an hour's time. And you are less than an hour away from the Choctaw reservation casinos.

 

[Drip]

Probably about 40-50k population. There's a mall and the usual assortment of chain restaraunts, so it isn't completely the end of the world. And you'll likely make friends with the state troopers is you try to reach Tuscaloosa or Jackson in an hour's time. And you are less than an hour away from the Choctaw reservation casinos.

I-20 can be rough on the pocketbook. However, in all fairness, the troopers do allow you to hit up to 75 MPH. That ain't too bad.

 

[thebigd]

do they cover any Division I football or basketball?

 

[mdpoppy]

I was in Meridian for a day or two on business last year. Doesn't seem like much is there. Most of the big buildings "downtown" are abandoned, but there is a crop of newer stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. right off the highway. There's a Navy base in town, but other than that, really not much there. Though, like someone else said, for Mississippi standards, there aren't many big towns.

 

[BudMan]

Not anymore.

 

[Poor John Carney]

There are worse places in the state to live, though.

Port Gibson?

 

[e_bowker]

There are worse places in the state to live, though.

Port Gibson?

That's one.
I'd say Natchez is another :D

 

[Bamadog]

There are worse places in the state to live, though.

Port Gibson?

That's not even in the state of Mississippi. It's in an alternate parallel universe that sometimes opens a doorway with our own reality. Former Trezevant coach Lynn Lang, better known as the man who sold Albert Means to the highest bidder, is the football coach there. Port Gibson is kind of like the mirror universe in Star Trek. Anyway....

Meridian does get out to some college games. They did staff the New Orleans Bowl just like we did. It's not a bad area for preps and the JUCO there has an excellent baseball program. Meridian dethroned the mighty University of South Panola, ending an 89-game winning streak, longest in the country. Up to that point, the boys from Coffin Town won five consecutive Class 5A titles. That's no mean feat.

 

[Liut]

Rocky Higginbotham is a quality SE and good guy.

Bamadog is correct about Meridian CC baseball. Once had to endure such a rain delay at the region tournament that the championship game ended at 1 a.m.

If Hilary Allen is still the the women's hoops coach at MCC, he's (yes, a guy) a riot. Loved sitting next to his bench.

 

[albert77]

Whoever gets this gig will experience the joys of covering Scooba Tech (AKA East Mississippi CC). At least now US 45 is a four-lane highway. My grandparents lived in Columbus before they passed on and that stretch of road north of Meridian used to be a nightmare, 90 miles of heavily-traveled two-lane over deep-forested hills through tiny burgs such as Scooba, Electric Mills and Shuqualak (and not much of anything else).

Ditto that about Rocky, too; he's a first-class guy.

 

[Blitz]

There are worse places.

?

Anyway....
In prep football, Meridian High dethroned the mighty University of South Panola, ending an 89-game winning streak, longest in the country.

And the MHS quarterback promptly signed with Mississippi State. Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy! :) :)
Rocky's been in the area a long time and knows what's important to readers. The staff, though, has always been undersized compared to what's expected to be covered.
I used to string for this paper in the 90s.

 

[Del_B_Vista]

Don't forget about Peavey Electronics.

Edit: To correct faulty spelling.

 

[Double J]

The hometown of Jimmie Rodgers, the Singing Brakeman. :)

 

[Drip]

I'd heard Rocky's been under the weather of late. Nothing serious I hope.

 

[albert77]

The hometown of Jimmie Rodgers, the Singing Brakeman. :)

And Sela Ward, too. (Unfortunately, no photo to accompany. So, dock me a couple.) ;)