Sports Writer, Joplin Globe

Guys, I thought I'd give you first crack at this one before it goes on JJ.com. As it says below, we're looking to move quickly on this. Also, let me emphasize I'm looking for someone who can handle the hard news end of the position, but I also want a person who can have fun with their work and has the ability to entertain readers. Salary depends on experience.

The Joplin Globe, a 30,000 daily circulation (37k Sunday), 7-day publication, has an immediate opening for a sports writer. The job is open because the person who last held the position was hired to take on a Division I baseball beat. The successful candidate will prove he or she can write informative, entertaining, hard-hitting pieces and has the ability to go beyond the scope of “gee-whiz” journalism. The Globe is converting to a universal desk on Aug. 16, so the person who’s hired for the position will perform minimal design work. Joplin is home to D-II Missouri Southern State University. Pittsburg (Kan.) State University also is in our coverage area. With the prep football season looming, we are looking to fill this position ASAP. Send resumes, cover letter, references and clips — no more than one game story — to Executive Sports Editor Lance Ogden at logden@joplinglobe.com or to P.O. Box 7, Joplin, Mo. 64801.
Joplin is located in the southwest corner of Missouri and has a “metro area” of 160,000.

 

Just curious ... anyone know who left and for where?

 

A full-time Division I baseball beat? I don't know if I've ever heard of that.

 

Sounds like the guy from Joplin moved south to cover Arkansas Baseball. There was a job posting a couple of weeks ago for it

 

So who was the guy?

 

That's what I've heard.

And that's a good gig at a good paper.

Which probably means this gig could be parlayed into good things by the right person with the right approach.

 

Im not sure of the guy’s name, but he was hired by the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas to cover preps and Arkansas baseball.

 

Hey guys. Ryan Malashock is the gentleman's name who took the gig in Springdale.

Ryan will do good work there and they're lucky to get him.

 

Does this newspaper embrace the CNHI principles?

 

Approach this one with your eyes wide open ...

In the last 2-3 years, they've had a good staff decimated, mostly because of internal garbage. They've fired a sports editor, moved a sportswriter to news (not his idea), had a talented sportswriter leave for a pseudo-PR job, and apparently have their current dean of sportswriters (a preps guy who has been there forever and can do it all) on suspension.

No, I'm none of the people included above, but am close enough to the situation to have heard from virtually all of them that working for this SE (and the bosses above him) is a nightmare.

 

which makes me wonder, what do you do when your SE really sucks, yet you love your job?

 

Well thank you very much Chico. I've been at the Globe for four months, and I'm already a nightmare ... and you haven't even had the opportunity to introduce yourself. Nice to meet you.

I'll take it for granted you won't be applying for the job.