Cincinnati High School censors student column criticizing football team

[obie7661]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/state/16399635.htm

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

obie7661,

Journalism and athletics can be conflicting at times. But there is a line and people have to know when and when not to cross the line. From reading the article, I believe that the writer was wrong to harshly criticize the team, especially if it is relying on underclass students for that matter.

From the professional and college (Division I preferably), you can likely get away with taking shots at a player, coach or teams. But in high school, the risk of alienating a player or coach is high. And I know all too well about that, even though I never took a shot at anyone of that capacity.

I don't believe in taking shots at anyone from the high school level. Division I college and pro sports, probably so but high school, no. Even though I have been falsely accused in the past (by people who know me personally...I know who they are but won't divulge names) of taking unwarranted shots at Canton McKinley fans and trashing their tradition in the past and one more false claim of me insinuating that I made a demeaning comment about a Canton McKinley player's mother (whose name I will not divulge), I remain adamant that I don't believe in taking shots at high school athletes or coaches, especially the athletes as they have family relatives likely reading the article.

MassillonProud.com does a great job of curbing attacks on players and coaches. They set the foundation right away that such actions will not be acceptable or tolerated.

:iagree:

There is a line and I will say it was crossed after reading the link. The people from the student newspaper need to watch themselves next time, especially in the near future.

[canton_fan]

obie7661,

Journalism and athletics can be conflicting at times. But there is a line and people have to know when and when not to cross the line. From reading the article, I believe that the writer was wrong to harshly criticize the team, especially if it is relying on underclass students for that matter.

From the professional and college (Division I preferably), you can likely get away with taking shots at a player, coach or teams. But in high school, the risk of alienating a player or coach is high. And I know all too well about that, even though I never took a shot at anyone of that capacity.

I don't believe in taking shots at anyone from the high school level. Division I college and pro sports, probably so but high school, no. Even though I have been falsely accused in the past (by people who know me personally...I know who they are but won't divulge names) of taking unwarranted shots at Canton McKinley fans and trashing their tradition in the past and one more false claim of me insinuating that I made a demeaning comment about a Canton McKinley player's mother (whose name I will not divulge), I remain adamant that I don't believe in taking shots at high school athletes or coaches, especially the athletes as they have family relatives likely reading the article.

MassillonProud.com does a great job of curbing attacks on players and coaches. They set the foundation right away that such actions will not be acceptable or tolerated.

:iagree:

There is a line and I will say it was crossed after reading the link. The people from the student newspaper need to watch themselves next time, especially in the near future.

I seem to remember you telling the story of how coach Hoover ask you to leave the McKinley locker room when you were a student reporter. Maybe you can tell us why again?

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

canton_fan,

I'd be more than happy to.

Canton McKinley pit boss Dave Hoover said to me that if he "caught any plays or anything reported in the school newspaper, the locker room would be the last thing I'd see."

Moving forward, a McKinley player missed a dunk against Lakewood St. Edward and the entire student section laughed at the player. Then (now current varsity head coach) JV coach Greg Malone yelled to the students "WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING STANDING UP? SIT DOWN!" Though I didn't criticize Malone for what happened, just reporting it was enough for Hoover to give me the ax after one year.

Come to think about it, the same thing happened to me again after the Bulldogs 61-52 win over Austintown-Fitch after they regained their title after I made a reference to something he said in the huddle to his team during a timeout during the 2004 season.

And then, he put an embargo on me from having any further contact with his team and players after I printed a guarantee that a player made before the North Canton Hoover game (http://www.yappi.com/2006/011101.php). I was suspended up to the district championship game because of this one.

Dave Hoover was the only coach who was able to slow down my freight train from a reporting stance. My hat to the man. But he sure taught me a heck of a lot during those times, which has made me a better person and reporter because of it.