A prayer for Van McKenzie

The legend of Van at The National's break-up party is a towering one. Many Bloody Brains fell that evening. The cream of American sportswriting was fairly sockless by 7 p.m.

 

I'm glad Lynn got a chance to post, it was worth the wait.
And to all of those who wondered what it was like to hang out with Van, it was that great. I can tell my grandkids I had beers with one of the all time greats in this biz.
I now wonder how great it must have been to have worked with him.

 

If I had a boss who came in with a letter like that, I would run through any wall, anywhere, anytime, for him.

Or her.

Just to sweep in and demand that everyone take even more pride in their work than they already did, to let them know that if they want to be the best, here's how to do it . . . . is absolutely inspiring. My favorite part:

"You might ask, when does the "fun" that I promised start? It starts when you enter a press box and other writers are buzzing about the new Orlando sports section. It starts when other sections across the county copy the new Orlando sports section. It starts when you contact sources and they know you and your newspaper. Most important, it starts when you know you are an important part of the best sports team in the county."

 

Agreed. Hell, I might copy that letter, sign my name to it and pass it around this place.

 

At the risk of sounding incredibly selfish at a difficult time, I second this. What do I have to do to work for a boss like this? God rest him, and God bless his family.

 

I am interested in reading about the impact this had on the work environment and the product. It's long been my feeling that sports sections suffered a significant brain drain when writers stopped writing in the office and thus stopped interacting regularly with each other and with the desk as the section was being produced -- and that it cost us much of our organic spirit and sass, as opposed to the posed attitude that suffices today. What was McKenzie's motive for breaking with today's trend toward a telecommuting writing staff, and what resulted from it?

 

Imagine trying to make someone proud that you've never even met? I'd think it impossible until tonight. Thanks, Van McKenzie.

Today (my first at the office since spending the past few days reading this incredible thread) I felt like a new person sitting at my desk. It's been a long, long time since I've felt so motivated, so inspired, and so empowered to do something great. It's too easy to do what's expected, put in a great effort, and move on to the next day. If there's one thing I've taken from all these messages, it's Van's ability to redefine "what's expected" and make those around him do the same. Well, count me as one of the legion of his new disciples. It makes me sick to think these lessons would come at such an expense. My prayers for all those who knew Van, and take heart in knowing that while he may be gone, with the legacy he's built, he'll live on forever.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I never met Van, barely even heard of him until this week. And I'd still run through the wall for him.

That piece should become my generation's "All The President's Men". It makes me feel proud to be in this profession.

 

I agree.

Someone with a bit more of an attitude/ego might say, though, "who the hell is this guy?"

If it were anyone else without Van's track record/cache, it wouldn't have come off as well. That's all I'm saying.

 

I would love to see the Vanifesto permanently stickied the top of this page, as the consummate kick in the ass for every one of us....and a great reminder of why we got into this in the first place.

 

It saddens me that I cannot honestly disagree with that.

 

I'm with Frank on the part requiring writers to work in the office. I'd really like to know the impact it had as well.

Sitting around BSing used to be an integral part of this business, and I'm positive stories have been lost because it is mostly a thing of the past.