Why Do Collegiate Sports Writers Get Off So Easy?
For all of the talk about the Jay Marriotis and Bill Plaschkes of the world, everyone seems to forget that these no-talent hacks used to be talented writers in college, likely perfecting the art of unmerciful ripping on their campus newspaper.
And for all of the years of rambling diatribe and self-serving angst splashed across the columns of America’s most beloved sports pages, why is it the college kids doing the same thing to their teams don’t get the same kind of criticism? Take this recent article on Ralph Friedgen and the Terps from Diamondback sports columnist Adi Joseph.
The defense was picked apart by a team that had just lost to Troy the week before.
Two weeks, one passing touchdown.
Two weeks, no sacks.
Two weeks, an overwhelming amount of ugliness.
The kid is ripping them! But wait, it gets better…
Delaware was ugly. Middle Tennessee was disgusting.
Friedgen needs to take a stand now to ensure Cal doesn’t end up even worse.
A challenge!
If Mike Wise of the Washington Post had half as much juice as Joseph, people would be waiting for him outside of Cosi’ for a stern talking to. And a light mauling.
And this kind of thing happens all over America. Fledgling journalists, who have yet to be tempered by buyouts, advertisers, arrogant athletes and clueless coaches, still act upon what is good and pure about sports writing; the license to tell it like it is.
Once you get to the pinnacle of the profession, it becomes one big recycled pile of crap that you spin over and over again about how ownership is dense in the head, athletes don’t care, and how fans deserve better. Every now and then you throw in a story about a underprivileged athlete or a mom who played catch with her now-superstar son because Daddy wasn’t around, and you’ve got yourself a nice salary, fame in a big city, and free passes to all the best sports events throughout the year.
That’s why people rip columnists.
But the kid gets to have his way all over the Terps football program.
And don’t get me wrong, I agree with everything he’s saying, as do two of the three commenters on the piece. But if any Terps fans had a shred of decency, an iota of gumption, they would flood Joseph’s email with biting remarks, and promises of paying the Diamondback offices a visit.
And the writer would love every minute of it.
 |  |
