vs. Oakland (12/7)

[guest44]

The current form is just how BGSU athletics wants it to be covered. Lots of tweeter. They tell both the Sentinel and the new guy at the Blade what make them look good articles to write. As long as Dave Briggs doesn't come around, it will be all puff coverage. They are obsessed with trying to control the narrative.

[hammb]

Yeah unfortunately coverage for BG sports (especially beyond just game recaps/scores for football) is abysmal. It's a perfect storm. Our fanbase is simply not large enough for profit entities like the Blade or Sentinel to dedicate somebody to the beat anymore. And I think 44 is not far offbase saying this particular athletic department LIKES the lack of coverage. They don't want people like Briggs writing articles about them because those articles will all too often be critical.

But here's the rub. Coverage also could let people know that we won a big game against a good team. Coverage could also let people know that we have some returning Seniors like Plowden worth watching (yeah I'm sure there are casual hoops fans that don't even realize that). Coverage could help actually generate some interest in getting people out to the arena.

I don't understand why they don't dedicate a BG news student to the coverage. It could be a tremendous opportunity for journalism students to put on their resume. They should be able to sell those stories to the Sentinel & Blade w/o them having to employ a full time person. They could obviously disseminate the stories online as well. It's kind of pathetic that we have D1 sports and cannot get a single article about revenue sports...

[jpfalcon09]

Yeah unfortunately coverage for BG sports (especially beyond just game recaps/scores for football) is abysmal. It's a perfect storm. Our fanbase is simply not large enough for profit entities like the Blade or Sentinel to dedicate somebody to the beat anymore. And I think 44 is not far offbase saying this particular athletic department LIKES the lack of coverage. They don't want people like Briggs writing articles about them because those articles will all too often be critical.

But here's the rub. Coverage also could let people know that we won a big game against a good team. Coverage could also let people know that we have some returning Seniors like Plowden worth watching (yeah I'm sure there are casual hoops fans that don't even realize that). Coverage could help actually generate some interest in getting people out to the arena.

I don't understand why they don't dedicate a BG news student to the coverage. It could be a tremendous opportunity for journalism students to put on their resume. They should be able to sell those stories to the Sentinel & Blade w/o them having to employ a full time person. They could obviously disseminate the stories online as well. It's kind of pathetic that we have D1 sports and cannot get a single article about revenue sports...

Kind of been a perfect storm. The local newspapers are obviously downsizing significantly and don't have the means to dedicate resources to covering sports like they used to. As 44 said too, the current athletic administration is pretty obsessed with controlling what information gets out there. Think back to when Briggs opined that BG had someone lined up to pay off JInks' buyout, and Moose sniped at him during that press conference. Pretty clear evidence the university wants to keeps things as much under their control as possible.

The Ilitch owned sports teams in Detroit are the same way. All the media outlets write the same articles with different verbiage because it's what the organization wants them to do, and they control what information gets made public. Little bit different there though as it's all about maintaining access.

[guest44]

If you notice less TV coverage it's probably around those same lines. Rumors were strict access was put on what local TV could do during practice etc. The type of stuff you would see at bigger schools where people want to cover practice, not just show up when asked to. More strict restrictions, less willingness to take the time to cover the team.

[hammb]

Yeah unfortunately coverage for BG sports (especially beyond just game recaps/scores for football) is abysmal. It's a perfect storm. Our fanbase is simply not large enough for profit entities like the Blade or Sentinel to dedicate somebody to the beat anymore. And I think 44 is not far offbase saying this particular athletic department LIKES the lack of coverage. They don't want people like Briggs writing articles about them because those articles will all too often be critical.

But here's the rub. Coverage also could let people know that we won a big game against a good team. Coverage could also let people know that we have some returning Seniors like Plowden worth watching (yeah I'm sure there are casual hoops fans that don't even realize that). Coverage could help actually generate some interest in getting people out to the arena.

I don't understand why they don't dedicate a BG news student to the coverage. It could be a tremendous opportunity for journalism students to put on their resume. They should be able to sell those stories to the Sentinel & Blade w/o them having to employ a full time person. They could obviously disseminate the stories online as well. It's kind of pathetic that we have D1 sports and cannot get a single article about revenue sports...

Kind of been a perfect storm. The local newspapers are obviously downsizing significantly and don't have the means to dedicate resources to covering sports like they used to. As 44 said too, the current athletic administration is pretty obsessed with controlling what information gets out there. Think back to when Briggs opined that BG had someone lined up to pay off JInks' buyout, and Moose sniped at him during that press conference. Pretty clear evidence the university wants to keeps things as much under their control as possible.

The Ilitch owned sports teams in Detroit are the same way. All the media outlets write the same articles with different verbiage because it's what the organization wants them to do, and they control what information gets made public. Little bit different there though as it's all about maintaining access.

Yeah, I totally understand why the Blade & Sentinel cannot afford to appoint a true beat reporter that just writes stories about the Falcons. They're in a tailspin (as is newspaper in general) and if anything is going to keep them afloat, reporting on the state of BGSU athletics probably won't be it.

The BG News, however is a student publication and should serve to both A) help the university, and B) help the students get some experience. Maybe I'm wrong in my assumptions, but I have to think that there is almost always a journalism major (or 10) at BGSU that are hoping to cover sports professionally someday. And tabbing some of them as beat reporters to write stories on our sports (ESPECIALLY our revenue sports) on a routine basis should not be unusual. And it seems that an opportunity could exist to make sure those stories make it further than just in the BGNews print. (Seriously, has anybody looked at the BG News website!? The last baksetball story in the sports section is about fan season predictions, and it's dated from 11/13; we're a month into the season now!)

I am as annoyed as anybody about the way the BG Athletic Dept is more concerned about controlling their narrative than they are putting out a good product. Some former posters on here got a recent firsthand dose of how vindictive this department is. It's enough to make me feel bad about supporting the department, but unfortunately I'm addicted to this basketball team (as much as I am the masochism that is Browns football). Still, even if they were going to limit things to puff pieces and game recaps it is absurd that the school newspaper doesn't even cover our basketball team. And as we've seen with the endeavors of those aforementioned azz.com posters, the option doesn't even really exist to create an independent BG sports website/publication and expect to get any access/stories to write. About all we can hope from this dept is some game recaps published on bgsufalcons.com It's pure absurdity that nobody knows when somebody is hurt or has quit the team. We don't even know who is playing until we arrive at the arena. They've stopped sending out the Game Notes pre-game. They won't even print and distribute roster/stat sheets anymore at the damned games!

[guest44]

Gordon hasn't played a game in two weeks, not one person has asked the coach for an explanation. Curtis wasn't in the arena last game, no explanation. But, we do know who signed the paddle of course. Hell, Huger explained the video board situation before explaining what happened to two potential starters. Huger has the easiest 400+K job in the country.

[pdt1081]

Kind of been a perfect storm. The local newspapers are obviously downsizing significantly and don't have the means to dedicate resources to covering sports like they used to. As 44 said too, the current athletic administration is pretty obsessed with controlling what information gets out there. Think back to when Briggs opined that BG had someone lined up to pay off JInks' buyout, and Moose sniped at him during that press conference. Pretty clear evidence the university wants to keeps things as much under their control as possible.

The Ilitch owned sports teams in Detroit are the same way. All the media outlets write the same articles with different verbiage because it's what the organization wants them to do, and they control what information gets made public. Little bit different there though as it's all about maintaining access.

It's not just sports. Journalism is dead. Ask a hard question and your "access" is cut off. It's the new way. You can read the exact same article on from every news source. They don't even try to disguise it anymore.

[BGSU33]

Gordon hasn't played a game in two weeks, not one person has asked the coach for an explanation. Curtis wasn't in the arena last game, no explanation.

Exactly. Would it be asking too much for someone to simply ask why? Or for Huger to throw out a nugget of info? If they want to keep details under wraps, I can understand that. But a simple, truthful explanation of "he's sick, or he's dinged up" would be sufficient.

[hammb]

In a HIPAA world even saying something as vague as "he's sick" may be an issue. Not to mention in the COVID era it just opens a larger can of speculation.

But I don't think it's asking too much for somebody to ask, and Huger to answer, something like "he's dealing with some stuff and we look forward to having him back soon."

Instead we're left to speculate whether these guys are even still on the damned team. It's mind numbing. And what about Matheny? Typically injuries suffered on the field/court aren't nearly as protected by HIPAA. Hell could we at least get an idea if he's day to day, week to week, may lose his lower leg,etc!?

[Hockey John]

At Monday's Falcon Club Luncheon, when asked about the transfer portal, Coach Huger mentioned both Gordon and Curtis. All he shared is that Gordon is working his way back.

[Globetrotter]

In a HIPAA world even saying something as vague as "he's sick" may be an issue. Not to mention in the COVID era it just opens a larger can of speculation.

But I don't think it's asking too much for somebody to ask, and Huger to answer, something like "he's dealing with some stuff and we look forward to having him back soon."

Instead we're left to speculate whether these guys are even still on the damned team. It's mind numbing. And what about Matheny? Typically injuries suffered on the field/court aren't nearly as protected by HIPAA. Hell could we at least get an idea if he's day to day, week to week, may lose his lower leg,etc!?

I don't think a coach is under Hippa. Trainer yes. Apparently this stuff isn't even under Ferpa, which is surprising. Regardless I think Huger could say whatever he wants....or not say whatever he wants. It's his decision not to disclose. Which I get. But as you say he can tell us the bare minimum.

[guest44]

It sounds like Metheney will likely be shut down until MAC play starts December 29th to give him more time to heal. Or atleast that’s what was being discussed the day after the game.

[mbenecke]

It sounds like Metheney will likely be shut down until MAC play starts December 29th to give him more time to heal. Or atleast that’s what was being discussed the day after the game.

This makes sense. Though we don’t have a game for another 11 days, we only have Robert Morris and Carlow left before MAC play. Those are games where we really shouldn’t need KM, so he should really rest and get ready for conference play, which is what ultimately will matter.

[hammb]

Resting Matheny through the next 2 games certainly seems like the prudent move. He wasn't really moving well before he went down the first time. He kept coming in/out of the tunnel trying to get back in the game, then when he did get in it was clear he was a shell of himself. I was surprised Huger left him in as long as he did, honestly.

[hammb]

In a HIPAA world even saying something as vague as "he's sick" may be an issue. Not to mention in the COVID era it just opens a larger can of speculation.

But I don't think it's asking too much for somebody to ask, and Huger to answer, something like "he's dealing with some stuff and we look forward to having him back soon."

Instead we're left to speculate whether these guys are even still on the damned team. It's mind numbing. And what about Matheny? Typically injuries suffered on the field/court aren't nearly as protected by HIPAA. Hell could we at least get an idea if he's day to day, week to week, may lose his lower leg,etc!?

I don't think a coach is under Hippa. Trainer yes. Apparently this stuff isn't even under Ferpa, which is surprising. Regardless I think Huger could say whatever he wants....or not say whatever he wants. It's his decision not to disclose. Which I get. But as you say he can tell us the bare minimum.

I have to believe the entire Athletic Dept would be a HIPAA "covered entity". If it is the case that the trainers are a covered entity and the coach is not then in reality the trainers would not even be allowed to disclose any information TO the coach, without consent of the player.

And of course the whole point of HIPAA is to hold covered entities accountable for the information they hold, and to give patients control over how that information is handled. The patient can always allow the information to be put out there at any time, or put the information out themselves. In the hypothetical where the coach is not considered a "covered entity", it would be possible for the player to allow the trainers to provide the information to the coach. And "technically" I suppose the coach (if not deemed a covered entity) could put the information out for the world if they wanted to, but that would be a super douchey move (and ultimately look really bad on the coach).