Zip Watcher Posted February 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 We are set for tonight @ 5:15ish w/ George Thomas. I'll PM everyone who's posted in this forum the location. If you're interested and haven't posted, please PM me before 3:30 or so, and I'll send it to you also. Go Zips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 My sincere apologies, but I can no longer make tonight's engagement. I now have to do a counseling session tonight. My job is like that; much pops up unexpectedly. It's why I'm not a basketball season ticket holder. I have to miss far too many games. George, when you read this, I just want to say that I appreciate the job you've been doing. Go Zips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 So, can anyone report how this went? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 There are some big changes going on at the ABJ in regards to how they view their position in todays media. I think they have decided that they should cover more local stories and stop trying to be major player on the state and national news. This bodes well for the Zips and other local institutions. George seemed very sincere in his desire to really get some good in depth coverage and left with a few tidbits of information that might find its way into some future stories. Overall a good experience for all involved, I would expect it to happen again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Hilltopper and I were the only regular forum members there along with Zip Watcher and Mike Rasor, who also sat in on the discussion. It was nice to meet both George and Mike in person. George is a likeable guy with a good sense of humor. If there's another chance to meet with him in the future, more ZN.o posters should take advantage of the opportunity. I asked if he got any story ideas from reading posts on ZN.o, and he said he doesn't read ZN.o or any other online forum daily because he "has a life." While he likes basketball and enjoys covering Zips basketball and KD, he's actually more of a football fan. He's looking forward to covering Zips football, and has already talked with Coach Bowden. He takes his profession (journalism) seriously, and is dedicated to doing the best job he can on whatever beat he is assigned. He said he really wanted to work for the ABJ because of its great history of award-winning journalism. He pointed out that the ABJ has won four Pulitzer Prizes, which is way above average for a newspaper of its size, while the CPD has won only one. He's open to any constructive criticism. We talked about the fact that many on ZN.o were originally concerned that he wasn't the right person for his new position, but that we were all pleasantly surprised at the quality of his work to date. He mentioned that he got off to a bit of a slow start because he had two weeks of vacation scheduled during his first month on the new beat. I agree with Hilltopper that the key point of the discussion was hearing how the ABJ is becoming more focused on local news than statewide, national or global news. This will continue to result in more local sports coverage, including both UA and Can't. So get used to reading George's Zips sports stories, because we're going to be seeing more of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipboy Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Thanks for the update. I would be interested if you do it again. Weekdays it is hard enough to make it down before gametime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 I asked if he got any story ideas from reading posts on ZN.o, and he said he doesn't read ZN.o or any other online forum daily because he "has a life." I don't read Ohio.com for the same reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZipsFan Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 I don't read Ohio.com for the same reason. Can someone who was at the "meeting" last night tell me if when George made the comment about not reading the board because "he has a life" -- was he making a little joke/being sarcastic? I have a feeling that was probably the case. I can't imagine that he would ask to meet with the members of the board in person, and then "insult" those of us who do spend a bit of time here. And if I'm right -- that is the exact reason he wanted to meet face to face instead of doing an online chat -- because tone, sarcasm, etc. does NOT translate well in print. So -- I would really like to hear from those of you who were there if you were offended by that, or if ya'll got a laugh out of it... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Can someone who was at the "meeting" last night tell me if when George made the comment about not reading the board because "he has a life" -- was he making a little joke/being sarcastic? I have a feeling that was probably the case. I can't imagine that he would ask to meet with the members of the board in person, and then "insult" those of us who do spend a bit of time here. And if I'm right -- that is the exact reason he wanted to meet face to face instead of doing an online chat -- because tone, sarcasm, etc. does NOT translate well in print. So -- I would really like to hear from those of you who were there if you were offended by that, or if ya'll got a laugh out of it... Thanks! It was a joke. So was CK's little retort(I think)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Yep, first I said that George had a good sense of humor. Then I put a smiley after the statement that he didn't read internet forums every day because "he has a life." And it still wasn't obvious to everyone that he was kidding when he said that. Is it any wonder why there are so many misunderstandings on internet forums? He did say that he checked in here every few days to see if there was anything of interest. But he doesn't rely on internet forums for story leads. He spends many hours on the UA campus talking with different people face-to-face. He also has a lot of good contacts within the community. In other words, he's a real professional journalist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottditzen Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Keep this up Beacon Journal and I'll buy a subscription. George- welcome to the forums and thank you for your continued coverage of UA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 In short, I'll be happy to answer questions and interact with those who are interested in doing so in a courteous, non-confrontational way. If you won't be there, I'll consider it a loss. Start a thread anyhow. Sift through the nonsense and there are some good ideas on this board. There is an old saying that, "People buy from people." Really? Why are internet sales going up so much. Human interaction is overrated. A thread would be awesome and unique. I don't know if this is George or not, but my opinion is a reporter should search within for good ideas and write good, thought provoking articles. The articles that make me think, "I've never thought of that" are the best to read. Don't write about what people tell you they want to hear. Write about your unique thoughts. Everyone knows what Terry Pluto is going to write about...don't be Terry Pluto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 The Sunday ABJ was exactly what we've all been hoping to see. The hometown paper covering the hometown team in a manner fitting the hometown team. We know they can't cover us the way the Buckeyes get covered by the Dispatch (more writers assigned and not professional sports in town other than baseball, soccer and hockey), but they can cover the Zips like a Division 1 college program deserves to be covered. I expect GT to be critical of Akron when it applies and I expect the accolades when it matters too. Gaffney's coverage of iCoach towards the end was great to read...critical and fair. Rasor was still reporting on iCoach like he hadn't lost the team and was quickly losing the fans. We need more of what Gaffney was doing. By the way loved the article on the baseball coach and happy to see something that goes beyond the major sports. I fixed it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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