George Thomas, ABJ

[jupitertoo]

So far the level of "reporting" from the new ABJ beat writer has been pathetic. Today's article has no facts, no signs of research, nothing. John S. Knight must be turning over in his grave.

[johnnyzip84]

So far the level of "reporting" from the new ABJ beat writer has been pathetic. Today's article has no facts, no signs of research, nothing. John S. Knight must be turning over in his grave.

And Wayne State's nickname is still the Lions according to George, probably because nobody bothered to correct him in the comment section of his first article.

[ZachTheZip]

So far the level of "reporting" from the new ABJ beat writer has been pathetic. Today's article has no facts, no signs of research, nothing. John S. Knight must be turning over in his grave.

And Wayne State is still the Lions according to George, probably because nobody bothered to correct him in the comment section of his first article.

They corrected him, he just doesn't care. Anybody know who the sports editor is?

[Captain Kangaroo]

So far the level of "reporting" from the new ABJ beat writer has been pathetic. Today's article has no facts, no signs of research, nothing. John S. Knight must be turning over in his grave.

Aren't you the same hypocrite that rudely chastised the members of ZN.o who confirmed Iannello was fired because it wasn't written in any newspaper? Now you're telling me a newspaper might not know everything? That a team's beat writer might be pathetic?

How can that be? Please strive for some consistency. You can't have it both ways.

[jupitertoo]

So far the level of "reporting" from the new ABJ beat writer has been pathetic. Today's article has no facts, no signs of research, nothing. John S. Knight must be turning over in his grave.

Aren't you the same hypocrite that rudely chastised the members of ZN.o who confirmed Iannello was fired because it wasn't written in any newspaper? Now you're telling me a newspaper might not know everything? That a team's beat writer might be pathetic?

How can that be? Please strive for some consistency. You can't have it both ways.

Thomas is pathetic; Gaffney was serviceable. Big difference. I guess I'm just amazed at how lazy some "news" organizations have become. And I'm not convinced the university decided to can Ianello until the horrendous performance in the final game.

[Hilltopper]

They corrected him, he just doesn't care. Anybody know who the sports editor is?

I do. I sent him a note. Lets see how this goes before we write him off completely.

[hiroad1]

I agree that the first bit of GT covering Zip football has been pretty weak.

However, the guy is probably in a bit of a tough way:

1. New on the beat without established relationships/channels for info.

2. TW is on lockdown regarding info, and this probably extends to the press.

3. GT does not want to do anything to earn the wrath of TW before he can develop a working relationship.

It's not too surprising that he would be pretty conservative in his approach right now.

There have been times when I felt GT went pretty deep in his coverage of high school football games. No, I'm not saying covering D1 football can be compared to covering high school. Just saying that it makes me think I'll give GT a chance to prove, or disprove, himself before I reach a firm conclusion.

[skip-zip]

Maybe they can't get the nickname correct because most people have never even heard of the school?

Yep, that's the kind of place where you go to look for your next coach, if you are a D-1A school looking to make an "impact hire" and get the college football world to start paying attention to Akron again.

I can already see and hear the collective YAWN as the press releases are received across the country.

[johnnyzip84]

Maybe they can't get the nickname correct because most people have never even heard of the school?

Yep, that's the kind of place where you go to look for your next coach, if you are a D-1A school looking to make an "impact hire" and get the college football world to start paying attention to Akron again.

I can already see and hear the collective YAWN as the press releases are received across the country.

At least you and your buddies will be partying it up

And is that any way to treat a CHARTER member of the MAC?

[Blue & Gold]

Yeah, I just read the article & it sounds like GT just reads ZNO.

Couldn't he at the very least place a call to representatives for Johnson, Stoops & Winters & at least get a "no comment," comment?

[g-mann17]

Yeah, I just read the article & it sounds like GT just reads ZNO.

Couldn't he at the very least place a call to representatives for Johnson, Stoops & Winters & at least get a "no comment," comment?

That would not only require him to lift a finger, but actually use it to push something.

I imagine his article research goes something like this?

"Siri!.....How is the Akron coaching search going"

".....nothing reported in last 3 days, here is most commonly read article"

*click* copy....*click* paste

"And done!"

[Hilltopper]

I agree that the first bit of GT covering Zip football has been pretty weak.

However, the guy is probably in a bit of a tough way:

1. New on the beat without established relationships/channels for info.

2. TW is on lockdown regarding info, and this probably extends to the press.

3. GT does not want to do anything to earn the wrath of TW before he can develop a working relationship.

It's not too surprising that he would be pretty conservative in his approach right now.

There have been times when I felt GT went pretty deep in his coverage of high school football games. No, I'm not saying covering D1 football can be compared to covering high school. Just saying that it makes me think I'll give GT a chance to prove, or disprove, himself before I reach a firm conclusion.

I got a reply back from ABJ Sports editor Ron Ledgard and you have nailed it hiroad1. He acknowledged the error and the plan is to increase the amount of coverage both online and in the print edition. Like I said in my other post, lets give George Thomas some time before we cast judgment.

[InTheZone]

Didn't George Thomas write something pretty inflamatory a few years back about the Zips and mention Zipsnation.org, or am I thinking of someone else? I remember the sports editor sent someone on here a pretty condescending email, but I thought Thomas had done something similar.

[RootforRoo44]

Didn't George Thomas write something pretty inflamatory a few years back about the Zips and mention Zipsnation.org, or am I thinking of someone else? I remember the sports editor sent someone on here a pretty condescending email, but I thought Thomas had done something similar.

It was him. It was regarding local recruits and how it'd essentially be foolish to assume that they'd even consider somewhere like akron. He was a total a-hole in the comments section and was insanely unprofessional.

[Dave in Green]

Didn't George Thomas write something pretty inflamatory a few years back about the Zips and mention Zipsnation.org, or am I thinking of someone else? I remember the sports editor sent someone on here a pretty condescending email, but I thought Thomas had done something similar.

It was him. It was regarding local recruits and how it'd essentially be foolish to assume that they'd even consider somewhere like akron. He was a total a-hole in the comments section and was insanely unprofessional.

You mean like it would be foolish to assume that a local journalism student with any talent would consider working somewhere like Akron for the ABJ?

[2Ball]

So far the level of "reporting" from the new ABJ beat writer has been pathetic. Today's article has no facts, no signs of research, nothing. John S. Knight must be turning over in his grave.

Aren't you the same hypocrite that rudely chastised the members of ZN.o who confirmed Iannello was fired because it wasn't written in any newspaper? Now you're telling me a newspaper might not know everything? That a team's beat writer might be pathetic?

How can that be? Please strive for some consistency. You can't have it both ways.

Thomas is pathetic; Gaffney was serviceable. Big difference. I guess I'm just amazed at how lazy some "news" organizations have become. And I'm not convinced the university decided to can Ianello until the horrendous performance in the final game.

I think you are pathetic. Captain is correct. How do you have the time to post on Zipsnation, shouldn't you be helping your husband move to Kansas? Best of luck.

[RootforRoo44]

So far the level of "reporting" from the new ABJ beat writer has been pathetic. Today's article has no facts, no signs of research, nothing. John S. Knight must be turning over in his grave.

Aren't you the same hypocrite that rudely chastised the members of ZN.o who confirmed Iannello was fired because it wasn't written in any newspaper? Now you're telling me a newspaper might not know everything? That a team's beat writer might be pathetic?

How can that be? Please strive for some consistency. You can't have it both ways.

Thomas is pathetic; Gaffney was serviceable. Big difference. I guess I'm just amazed at how lazy some "news" organizations have become. And I'm not convinced the university decided to can Ianello until the horrendous performance in the final game.

I think you are pathetic. Captain is correct. How do you have the time to post on Zipsnation, shouldn't you be helping your husband move to Kansas? Best of luck.

How did all this name calling get started?? Name calling and personal attacks on fellow Zip fans...pretty lame in my book.

Jupitertoo isn't a zips fan.

[ZipRoo]

Didn't George Thomas write something pretty inflamatory a few years back about the Zips and mention Zipsnation.org, or am I thinking of someone else? I remember the sports editor sent someone on here a pretty condescending email, but I thought Thomas had done something similar.

It was him. It was regarding local recruits and how it'd essentially be foolish to assume that they'd even consider somewhere like akron. He was a total a-hole in the comments section and was insanely unprofessional.

Wow. Unprofessional doesn't even begin to describe GT's comment. Wasn't this guy the movie critic? Is he even qualified for this beat?

[akronad]

He still is a movie critic for a couple of burb papers in CLE. He covered the Cavs for 1 season, then HS sports for 1 season, and now the Zips. He walks around most times with a chip on his shoulder and does most of his investigating via the social media sites.

[Dr Z]

Didn't George Thomas write something pretty inflamatory a few years back about the Zips and mention Zipsnation.org, or am I thinking of someone else? I remember the sports editor sent someone on here a pretty condescending email, but I thought Thomas had done something similar.

It was him. It was regarding local recruits and how it'd essentially be foolish to assume that they'd even consider somewhere like akron. He was a total a-hole in the comments section and was insanely unprofessional.

See Blue & Gold's 'Linky'

[hiroad1]

Didn't George Thomas write something pretty inflamatory a few years back about the Zips and mention Zipsnation.org, or am I thinking of someone else? I remember the sports editor sent someone on here a pretty condescending email, but I thought Thomas had done something similar.

It was him. It was regarding local recruits and how it'd essentially be foolish to assume that they'd even consider somewhere like akron. He was a total a-hole in the comments section and was insanely unprofessional.

See Blue & Gold's 'Linky'

Wow. Thomas needs to learn when to shut his mouth, especially when he is leaving an electronic paper trail.

I went to the link and after reading GT's first post I thought, "Where's the rub? I agree with this guy."

Then I noticed there were subsequent posts. Man, why would a guy resort to the negativity in a public forum in the city in which he is a public reporter? Dumb. Particularly dumb, because I think he was right in principal about the aspects of new experiences being part of education, but he ruined it with the negative banter.

I defended him yesterday. I'm still going to give him a chance as the reporter for UA football, but I'll be watching much more closely to judge his competence and attitude now.

[g-mann17]

If anyone wants it....

ABJ Sports Editor

Ron Ledgard

rledgard@thebeaconjournal.com

[Dr Z]

If anyone wants it...rledgard@thebeaconjournal.com

Thanks g-mann, but my my new year's resolution 6 years ago doesn't allow me to respond.

[ZipRoo]

He still is a movie critic for a couple of burb papers in CLE. He covered the Cavs for 1 season, then HS sports for 1 season, and now the Zips. He walks around most times with a chip on his shoulder and does most of his investigating via the social media sites.

Wonder if he'll report on this particular thread.

[jupitertoo]

So far the level of "reporting" from the new ABJ beat writer has been pathetic. Today's article has no facts, no signs of research, nothing. John S. Knight must be turning over in his grave.

Aren't you the same hypocrite that rudely chastised the members of ZN.o who confirmed Iannello was fired because it wasn't written in any newspaper? Now you're telling me a newspaper might not know everything? That a team's beat writer might be pathetic?

How can that be? Please strive for some consistency. You can't have it both ways.

Thomas is pathetic; Gaffney was serviceable. Big difference. I guess I'm just amazed at how lazy some "news" organizations have become. And I'm not convinced the university decided to can Ianello until the horrendous performance in the final game.

I think you are pathetic. Captain is correct. How do you have the time to post on Zipsnation, shouldn't you be helping your husband move to Kansas? Best of luck.

How did all this name calling get started?? Name calling and personal attacks on fellow Zip fans...pretty lame in my book.

Jupitertoo isn't a zips fan.

Not quite sure what I did to warrant 2Ball's (there's irony in that name) rant, but, whatever. And someone responded that I'm not a Zips fan - I do have season tickets for both major sports, so I guess that allows me to post my comments, right? I was not criticizing the Zips in any way - just the Beacon.