3rd in the West?

[Flipper]

Offensively, they're very strong. Defensively, they suck.

Not to mention that almost every one of their recruits is having trouble qualifying.

Damn that pesky alphabet.....

[Falcon30]

if I'm not mistaken, Hackenberg (as well as Markey, which was pointed out on the other thread) have both covered BG in the past, and while I never saw Hack's coverage, Markey consistently outwrote the UT beat guy (Which, incidentally, if you want to rip on him, I could care less) in that span. In my opinion, BG fans, students, players, coaches, etc. should be, and for the most part, are happy with the excllent coverage the Blade gives them.

Since Grant is on vacation...It is couldn't care less

Please continue

[factman]

I know both Hack and Matt Markey. Hack covered BG some time back, about the time we hired Moe Ankney, and Markey covered us just a few years ago, and lives right outside of BG. They are the best two writers the Blade has........no one else is even close in my opinion, and they are both real good guys. Hack would have dumped a whole chicken on himself a few years back, rather than just some hot sauce!!!! He is slim and trim compared to his past.
I would LOVE to have either be our beat reporter right now.

[1987alum]

Not that anyone asked my opinion, but ...

I have only fond memories of Dave Hackenberg. Though I'm sure he tired of dealing with pesky college student journalists, he was always patient and considerate when we worked side-by-side. He never played the intimidation card, which I saw far too many times once I got out in the "real" world. While he didn't stoop to hand-holding, he would every so often just quietly point me in the right direction. On the road during my first year of covering football, he would say matter-of-factly say "let's go" and show us how to get to the lockerrooms (at the appropriate time), a lot of little things like that.

He wouldn't lavish praise on us, but let us know when he liked something. I can still remember when he read my lead from the Eastern Michigan game in 1985. He read it, shook his head and said, "Man, I wish I'd thought of that." I worked along side a number of professional media folks during my BG days, but none - and I mean none - were as gracious as Hack. In fact, most were exactly the opposite - condescending and rude. Hack treated us as professionals and equals. It's an example I tried to carry throughout my career and I attribute that to him.

[Schadenfreude]

But dear Lord, you guys really hate anyone who does their job, don't you? Markey is one of the best, and he answers a question honestly in a chat and gets lambasted here.

That's a fair comment. I thought people were a bit hard on him. He didn't say BGSU was going to suck, he just questions whether this is our year. That's fair. All we can expect from journalists are fairness, not supplication.

Now, it's Hackenberg. Hackenberg is one of the best columnists/writers in the damn country,

That's pushing it a bit far for me.

Hackenberg is fine, I suppose. But he's one of America's great columnists only in the same sense that The Blade is One of America's Great Newspapers. I wouldn't put him in the same league with Terry Pluto or Mitch Albom.

And I don't mean that in a negative way. I don't know Hack. I don't dislike his work. I don't have a grudge against him.

(John Harris? I haven't forgotten his UT-to-Conference USA blather. I'm still carrying a grudge over that).

TG's joke didn't strike me as a commentary on Hack's ability. It was just genuinely funny. I look at the guy's photo and I figure he eats more than I do. That's all.

In my opinion, BG fans, students, players, coaches, etc. should be, and for the most part, are happy with the excllent coverage the Blade gives them.

I'll second this. The Blade puts a lot of effort into covering Bowling Green sports. We are lucky that way.

[hammb]

I'll second this. The Blade puts a lot of effort into covering Bowling Green sports. We are lucky that way.

Overall I do enjoy the Blade's coverage of BGSU athletics. Overall, I'm not a fan of the Blade, but considering they are located in the same town as our arch rival I feel we get great coverage from them. Certainly they put the BG paper to shame in most instances. Plus they have a website!

I'm not a big John Harris fan, but have no problem with any of the other sports writers at the Blade.

[Schadenfreude]

Certainly they put the BG paper to shame in most instances.

What a paper is capable of doing is a direct function of the size of its ad revenue, which is a direct function of subscriber base.

The Sentinel has improved by leaps and bounds since I lived in Bowling Green.

Plus they have a website!

A Sentinel Web site would be nice. But it would be tough for them to make money on one.

[1987alum]

"What a paper is capable of doing is a direct function of the size of its ad revenue, which is a direct function of subscriber base."

I categorically disagree with that statement. I have worked for, with and alongside many great newspapers that were not great in size.

"A Sentinel Web site would be nice. But it would be tough for them to make money on one."

Speaking again from direct experience, this isn't as tough as you might think.

[Schadenfreude]

"What a paper is capable of doing is a direct function of the size of its ad revenue, which is a direct function of subscriber base."

I categorically disagree with that statement. I have worked for, with and alongside many great newspapers that were not great in size.

Bet they didn't have Washington correspondents.

That's the kind of thing I'm really referring to, here. The Sentinel can pick its spots. It can be better at what it does than The Blade is at what it does.

But The Sentinel can't *be* The Blade.

[Warthog]

The Sentinel has improved by leaps and bounds since I lived in Bowling Green.

Plus they have a website!

A Sentinel Web site would be nice. But it would be tough for them to make money on one.

Wow, it must have really sucked back then. FWIW, I have two neighbors that are retirees from the Sentinel who both comment about how bad the paper is and neither of them has anything good to say about the management there. Also, a neighbor wrote a letter to the editor about the Clough St stop sign issue, and it was edited for content before being published. Isn't the concept of a letter to the editor supposed to be your chance to put your two cents worth in wtihout someone editing it?

[Schadenfreude]

Also, a neighbor wrote a letter to the editor about the Clough St stop sign issue, and it was edited for content before being published. Isn't the concept of a letter to the editor supposed to be your chance to put your two cents worth in wtihout someone editing it?

Typically, letters are edited for length and clarity, not because the editorial page editor wants to prevent the public from reading a certain opinion. That's SOP at most papers.

[1987alum]

Schadenfreude: Agreed on all counts.

[niucob86]

Are these the same scribes that selected NIU as both the MAC West and MAC Tournament champion for this past mens basketball season?
I say let Toledo have the kiss of death.

[Pope4Heisman]

I don't think Toledo can live up to all this hype. They do have a great offense, but there defense aint too special, BG should be able to score on it.

[Todd Walker]

Nothing much. Especially this time of year. That's why I'm always hesitant to make predicitons until the season is a couple of weeks along.

That said...I was one of the three to pick BG to win the MAC.

I think most people only see the loss of Harris and Patton. They don't see the potential of Omar. I think with the entire offense around him back from last year, he'll be able to hit the ground running.

Also, the schedule, while featuring two tough league road games at NIU and UT it isn't that cut and dried.

BG gets a week off heading to NIU, the Huskies get less than a week off after playing Iowa State.

After that the schedule is very favorable and if BG beats NIU it will put them squarely in the driver's seat and hopefully will have UT feeling the pressure all year, including going into the big game.

FYI...The members on the MAC news media association is not comprised of "Anyone that gets credentialed and shows up". It is made up of dues paying members of the working media, SID's, and some student media types.

As for Messrs. Hackenburg and Needle they are both members. However, that doesn't mean they voted. Keep that in mind. For instance, last year I did not vote because I didn't get to see enough of the league in the previous year to get a complete picture. A vast majority of us media types don't simply phone in our votes. We actually try to get it right. And since the votes aren't made public there isn't any reason to be a "homer". I sincerely think most of the voters vote with their heads, not their hearts.

Concerning the print coverage, I agree that the Blade does a good job covering BGSU and so does the Sentinel. I wish I could read the Sentinel every day but I can't because (as pointed out here) they don't have a website. However, nobody knows BG athletics as well as Jack Carle. I can attest to that from experience.

Also, when it comes to some of the other threads I've seen here pounding on the "locals" for not having the so-called "story" about Turner and/or Sharon, I would caution you to remember that most things you see on the internet turn out to be "based in fact". In other words...wrong. Or partially wrong. Real media has to get it right. On the internet you only have to be first. Libel and slander laws are very lenient toward the web, not so toward tradtional media.

I'm not one that is all that concerned with the exploits of recruits anyway. Talk to me when they're on the field in the Orange and Brown. Until then it's all sheer guess work.

It's going to be a great season of Falcons Football. I'm as excited as can be getting prepped for the first game at Oklahoma.

BTW...the radio network returns intact for FB season with ten affiliates. Most of them carry a vast majority of the games but there are some preemptions throughout the season. I'll post which stations are carrying the games each week. Also, our pregame and weekly coaches shows are going to be extended to one hour shows. I think BG sports needs and deserves the extra time.

WPFX 107.7 will serve as our flagship station. Daily visits with Coach Brandon and Coach Dakich will air in drive times in 4 markets: Toledo (WCWA 1230 at 6:45 A.M.), Tiffin (WTTF 1600 at 5:20 P.M.), Lima (X- 107.5 at 8:20 A.M.), and Findlay/BG (WPFX 107.7 time TBA).

Our crew will return intact as well with myself, Gibby, Jason Aldrich, and Aaron Matthews.

Hope you are all well and GO FALCONS!