Paper writes story of star high school player's failure to graduate

To avoid a lot of quoting, I present this theory: Fan of crosstown rival calls paper, reporter doesn't do homework to see what's already been reported?

 

If that's the case, he buried the lede. His signing with the junior college is the most newsworthy part of the story. The not graduating is the most scandalous.

 

First, it was already public information, before the newspaper got a hold of it. He didn't walk in a public ceremony, and his name was not listed on the program handed out at said public ceremony. I don't think that law can unring that bell.

Furthermore, I'm not even sure FERPA applies to media. A glance over the law and it's application, it seems to me about educational institutions and students.

 

I am enjoying the give and take on this discussion.

My view is that the academic issue, which had not been reported, is a follow-up to a D-I recruit signing with a junior college.

I do like the idea of a deeper followup, especially if he succeeds, which I hope he does.

 

I agree with what you said here. A follow-up would make for a good story, especially if he goes on to a bigger college, as a lot of juco players do.

 

About 20 years ago, we had the No. 1 baseball draft choice in the country out of high school. He also failed to graduate from his high school, and it was noted in the story on the school's graduation on page A6.

The lad's coach never talked to anyone at our paper again until he died. And I'm sure we would have done the same thing again, perhaps giving it bigger play than A6. He was a celebrity at that point.

 

Yeah, that's probably one where people are going to know he didn't graduate and people who didn't already know are going to want to know. Probably should've gone somewhere other than A6 with it.

 

I agree completely. It's just as sure that there will be some community backlash. But that's the business we're in.

We've been in the "messenger" role throughout the Sandusky story, too.

 

Please tell me you're not drawing a parallel between alleged child molestation and the associated institutional failure with some high school kid that doesn't graduate high school on time.

 

No, and please don't turn into an idiot before our eyes.

I'm merely saying that when the media delivers "bad news," the tendency is to shoot the messenger.

Rather shocked you couldn't make that out.

 

Why the hell bring up the Sandusky story in the context of a story about a person who doesn't graduate high school on time? What possible relationship is there, other than community backlash?

 

That IS the only possible relationship. You're the one trying to make some other relationship.

Man, didn't see THAT one turning like that. You're seeing something that isn't there.