The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Sports editor looks back as he hits milestone
One thing about turning 50 has made him do is reflect on more than 25 years in the sports media business.
As journalists, we’re supposed to make big deals about milestones.
A story that hits 10-, 25-, 50year anniversaries sometimes gets the royal treatment — features, columns, etc. When it’s the other way around — at least for me — I’m not interested.
I’m 50 on March 2, but it’s just another day for me.
One thing about turning 50 has made me do is reflect on more than 25 years in the sports media business — many as sports editor of The News-Herald.
So OK, let’s get a little nostalgic, and look back at 50 things yours truly has learned, with tidbits, opinions and other nuggets from working more than a quarter century in this constantly changing business.
1. This job is a true labor of love. The hours aren’t great but the joy is that each day is never the same as the one before or after.
2. A department is only as good as the people working within it. The N-H sports has many talented individuals who devote themselves to producing a quality daily product. Many thanks to all.
3. Working on tight deadlines isn’t for everyone. It can bring out the best and worst in people.
4. Twitter is today’s sports writer’s notebook, so we’re justified always accessing it. But fans, when at a game or event, watch it and not your smart phone!
5. Firm believer in this: If you look hard enough, there’s always an interesting story that goes beyond the final score and box score.
6. Never say never, but it will be difficult to top 2016 — for me, at least. Eastlake North graduate Stipe Miocic became the UFC heavyweight champion, Mentor graduate Mitchell Trubisky emerged as the No. 2 pick by the Bears in the NFL draft, South grad Kareem Hunt became a rookie sensation with the Chiefs and John Carroll stunned the college football world by defeating Mount Union. I covered them all.
7. The best athlete I’ve covered while at The N-H is Miocic.
8. Sitting up close and personal covering four of Miocic’s title fights is to truly appreciate how ridiculously brutal mix martial arts is as a sport. Only the toughest and strongest — mentally and physically — survive.
9. It feels like yesterday when then-Eastlake North wrestling coach Mike Kokitka raved to me in November 1997 about Miocic, who then was a high school sophomore who went by the first name Steve. Said Kokitka: “Wait until you see this kid. He’s an animal.” If we only knew then what we know now.
10. Nine more incredibly gifted athletes I’ve had the pleasure to cover (excluding Browns, Cavaliers and Indians players, and in no particular order):
11. Trubisky (when he played at Mentor).
12. Notre Dame College all-purpose player and VASJ grad Marvelle Ross — the most electric football player I’ve ever watched in the open field. He’s preparing for a shot at the NFL.
13. Lake Erie College running back Anthony Bilal of Riverside, who became
a 2,000-yard rusher for the Storm.
14. Kirtland heavyweight champion and football player Rob Turner, who eventually played in the Rose Bowl with Drew Brees and Purdue.
15. Euclid’s Tony Fisher, winner of the 1997 Mr. Football award.
16. Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (when he played for the Captains … he had the look of a majorleague star from Day 1 in Eastlake).
17. NDC sophomore running back Jaleel McLaughlin. If he stays healthy his last two seasons in South Euclid, he could become college football’s all-time leading rusher.
18. Ohio State basketball player David Lighty of VASJ.
19. Lake Catholic quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who went on to star at Iowa.
20. A few favorite interviews (in no particular order):
21. Actor Corbin Bernsen, who played Roger Dorn in “Major League” for an anniversary story about the film.
22. Former Indians slugger Cory Snyder, for a lookback story on he and Joe Carter being on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1987. INDIAN UPRISING!
23. Actor Chelcie Ross, who played key roles in sports films “Hoosiers,” “Major League,” and “Rudy,” and threw out the first pitch at a 2014 Captains game for the team’s ‘Salute to Cleveland Legends’ night. It was also a night when more than 9,000 waited in long lines to get a Jobu bobblehead.
24. My vote for best interview among area coaches is Mentor’s boys basketball coach Bob Krizanzic, and it’s not close. He’s the area’s No. 1 straight shooter.
25. While grooming to be a journalist at Ohio State, my career goal was to cover big-time college sports. Having covered the area college sports scene for years, mostly at the D-II and D-III levels, I
now prefer it. The coaches and players are great on so many levels.
26. I doubt I will cover a more memorable sporting event than John Carroll’s 31-28 win over Mount Union on Nov. 12, 2016. The Blue Streaks’ win ended the Purple Raiders’ 112-game winning streak in the regular season.
27. But Mentor’s 63-56 come-from-behind victory in football over No. 1-ranked St. Edward in 2012 is a close second.
28. Oddest question I ever asked after a game was one I’ve never offered before or since. Question to former Mount coach Vince Kehres after JCU stunned the Purple Raiders: “Coach, how does it feel to actually lose a game in the regular season?” In this case, it had to be asked.
29. Best advice to young journalists: Read, read and read. Then read more.
30. Then write, write and write. Then write more.
31. Be ready to adapt. The media industry constantly changes, and most likely so will your job.
32. Many times, the best interviews are unscripted. Of course, being prepared with mental notes is important, but don’t veer off from an interesting and unexpected topic. Many of the best interviews — and responses — occur in that fashion.
33. I think what former Mentor football coach Steve Trivisonno accomplished during his time there was remarkable.
34. And those who are quick to point the program never won a state championship under him and use that as the end-all, be-all are off base.
35. I wonder how long Tiger LaVerde will coach football at Kirtland, and if the area truly appreciates what his program is accomplishing. I wouldn’t put it past him and the program winning 10 state titles — if LaVerde stays at Kirtland long enough.
36. I think Mike Moran
should go down as one of the great coaches in area history — if not the greatest. What he achieved at VASJ and John Carroll as a basketball coach (683 wins, two state titles in high school and a Final Four appearance in college after 37 seasons) might never be topped.
37. I admire how many of our area high school athletes conduct themselves during post-game interviews, but mostly after really tough losses.
38. The saying — “It’s not if you win or lose, but how you play the game” — has always stuck with me. It just becomes more clear with age.
39. The Browns since 1999 … I just don’t understand.
40. The Indians in 2016 ... there might never be a better chance for a World Series title in my lifetime.
41. This is a fact: The N-H sports department does not know when an area high school team — no matter the sport — will win or lose, thus negating the many complaints over the years of “you only cover our team when we lose.”
42. I think one day there won’t be enough referees for high school sports.
43. The abuse these men and women endure is brutal.
44. I think the spring high school sports season should be called winter sports season 2.0.
45. Tools journalists didn’t have or utilize fully in 1996, my first year at The N-H:
46. The Internet
47. Email
48. Texting
49. Tools journalists did use back in 1996: rulers, landlines, pencils and erasers, fax machines, tape recorders, and many more dark-age tools.
50. To all of our readers — from print to online — we appreciate every one of you.
Reach Podolski at MPodolski@News-Herald. com. On Twitter: @mpodo