College Signings: To Cover or Not to Cover?

It's an inevitable question Tyler Tomlinson and I are faced with every time the months of November and April roll around:  Which college signings do we cover?

In all we receive what seems to be triple-digit signing invitations during the winter and spring, and quite simply we can't cover each and every one.

On Tuesday I received the following not-so-rare email from a viewer that will remain anonymous and I left out some of the pertinent information :

"I was just wondering why some athletic signings get more press than others?"

"There was a signing at ____ for ____ yesterday. ____ signed with ____ to play ____. Coach ____ said he contacted the station and no one showed up. So I was just curious as to why."

First, and foremost, we honor all athletes that earn Division I and Division II scholarships, we also try and get to area preps that commit to local schools (Western Illinois, Quincy, Culver-Stockton, Hannibal-LaGrange, and John Wood), and after that..well, that's when it gets tricky.

Unfortunately time is of the essence when we conduct our sportscasts and to cover Johnny Smith's signing to (insert school here other than those which are Division I, II, or the universities/colleges mentioned above) is more than likely not in our best interests.  If logisitics are in our favor we'll do our best to cover it but 95% of the time that's not the case.

But..we will make mention of that individual's signing whether it's at the end of the show or with the use of a graphic at some point during the sportscast.

The bottom line is simple..we are local-first in our coverage but to cover a signing that is of little significance to the bulk of our audience and to possibly sacrifice a bigger story could be detrimental to you (the viewer).

- Signed..Ben Marth.

Comments

[Julie Davis]

Great job!

[Jeff]

I think that is very understandable on not getting to every players signing. Also I understand the parent of that child being a little upset that WGEM or other news didn't show up for their child. Remember they have rose colored glasses on for their child and so would I. It is sort of like you all having to decide what games you are going to go cover. It is just that part of your job where you are in a no win situation and you just try to make the best decision for your sports team. I actually have been very impressed with all the coverage you all have had with area signings. Heck just go back 5 years ago and no way was there this much coverage for these players.

[Sweater Vest]

At some point in the recent past there seemed to have been a rule passed that everything a high school athlete does must be publicized, at least in the eyes of many (not all, but many) parents. I think most of that is rooted in sheer jealousy and/or living vicariously through their children.

Whatever happened to playing the game simply for the love of that game. I really don't think the kids have any problem with that -- it's the overzealous parents.

Keep up the good work, Ben and Tyler. I trust your judgments on what is newsworthy far more than that of (almost) any parent.

[Bryant Gumbel]

I'm surprised you think those college signings are newsworthy and are apologizing for not getting to them all. Other than the Division I athletes who get scholarship money, why bother with a story on these Division III kids or kids who are getting a grand or two to go to an NAIA school? Your video is a kid signing a piece of paper. Woo-hoo. If TV stations would stop going to these horrible events, maybe schools would quit having them.

[Tyler]

Ben could not have said it better. There is still great reason to cover college signings though, to argue against Mr. Gumbel's comment. The intent to continue playing one's sport is the culmination of that high school athlete's career. It is of interest to that student-athlete's particular community and maybe even rival high school's. All in all, we do the best we can.

Signed....Tyler L. Tomlinson