When the SID doesn't call you back

[kingcreole]

OK, I'm trying to do a story on an assistant coach at a BCS university that's getting ready for a bowl game. He used to be the head football coach at the school I cover. Nothing elaborate or anything, but just a story about this coach.

Anyhoo, I call the SID office and left a message. I've yet to hear back from anyone, and I would imagine this team is getting ready to leave for their bowl destination pretty soon. It's not a life-or-death story, but one I would like to do.

I know the SID is probably very busy with bigger fish to fry and hooking up a smaller daily with an assistant coach isn't high when ESPN and other major metros have to be taken care of.

I noticed on a Yahoo! person search there is only one person in this city with this particular name. If the SID doesn't call back and hook me up, is it kosher to go around the SID? It's not like I have to deal with this school very often - it's the first time actually. Normally, I wouldn't have a problem going around the SID, but with this being a major university, I thought I'd see what folks here think.

 

[spnited]

If you can find his phone number on your own, call him. What have you got to lose?

 

[Ace]

Call his ass. Or can't you get the coach's email address or extension on the school website as well?

 

[Screwball]

Call the PR person for the bowl. Identify yourself as a reporter (as opposed to a crazed fan) and say you need to know what hotel the "Eagles" are staying in and what day they arrive. Then just call the hotel and ask for the guy's room.

And, yes, it is kosher to go around the SID. Why not?

 

[Ace]

And, yes, it is kosher to go around the SID. Why not?

I'm not sure king is orthodox anyway.

 

[wickedwritah]

Why do folks view SIDs as sacrosanct? Go around them, at will, if they are not living up to their end of things.

 

[hockeybeat]

Go around the SID. When he or she demands to know why you went around them to get the coach, simply say that he or she didn't get back to you and you had a deadline to meet. Simple as that.

 

[Stone Cane]

i don't think i've ever gone through an SID for an assistant coach

most of them answer their phone or return calls on their own

call the football office, ask for the guy, and you might be surprised

 

[kingcreole]

Why do folks view SIDs as sacrosanct? Go around them, at will, if they are not living up to their end of things.

It's not really that as much as the SIDs train the teams not to take phone calls from the media unless it's OK'd by the SID first.

 

[slappy4428]

If you can find his phone number on your own, call him. What have you got to lose?

Exactly... if his number is in the phone book, isn't it fair game?

 

[eyeonsportsmedia]

If you can find his phone number on your own, call him. What have you got to lose?

Exactly... if his number is in the phone book, isn't it fair game?

No. Vince Dooley has had his number in the phone book for years and people respect the Athens rule: Give them their peace and quiet. Notice I said people, not sportswriters. ;-)

If your number is in the book does it mean you are fair game?

 

[wickedwritah]

Joe Paterno's number is in the phone book as well, but I can't think of anyone who ever has called him at home.

 

[Pulitzer Wannabe]

Why do folks view SIDs as sacrosanct? Go around them, at will, if they are not living up to their end of things.

It's not really that as much as the SIDs train the teams not to take phone calls from the media unless it's OK'd by the SID first.

The head coach trains the SIDs to train th eteams not to take phone calls from the media unless it's OKed by the SID, acting as a proxy for the head coach, first.

 

[Seahawk]

If the SID is not doing their job and getting back in touch with you, don't wait for them. You tried to go by their rules, and they didn't follow through. That's on them, not you.

I say this as an SID (and former reporter).

 

[awriter]

If you haven't already, e-mail the SID. If that fails, call the football office and ask to speak to the assistant.

 

[kingcreole]

If the SID is not doing their job and getting back in touch with you, don't wait for them. You tried to go by their rules, and they didn't follow through. That's on them, not you.

I say this as an SID (and former reporter).

That's kind of what I thought.

 

[MU_was_not_so_hard]

you call enough people, you'll get a phone call back.

 

[Ace]

you call enough people, you'll get a phone call back.

I'm of this mindset. I see too many reporter making one phone call and then waiting days to get a return call. You're a reporter. You're a pest. Pester people, dammit.

If I had a week to do a story on the assistant, I might wait a day and if I don't hear back from the SID (especially in the week before Christmas when he may be on vacation if school is out for all you know, especially with a bowl trip coming up), I'd start calling, emailing everyone in the football office.

 

[Mira]

Call the athletic director's assistant and explain the assistant coach isn't calling you back. I'll bet my bottom dollar that she/he will immediately blabber to the AD, it will get back to the assistant coach and your phone will be ringing.

 

[housejd]

Joe Paterno's number is in the phone book as well, but I can't think of anyone who ever has called him at home.

I've called the guy at home a few times. So have a few of the reporters on my staff -- news and sports alike. Trying to convince the staff this guy is a source we should not be afraid to call. Most of the time, Sue Paterno picks up the phone (usually canning tomatoes). She generally won't let reporters through to Joe, but she's almost always polite.

We've done the same with assistant coaches and players, too -- especially since the sports information department can take months to grant an interview. When the SID calls to *****, we simply reply "Sorry, your rules don't govern us." They can be upset, but they can't argue against that.