RIP to one of our own, one of our best -- Craig Stanke

Craig Stanke/SF_Express can't be replaced, and never will be.

I'd only like to suggest, however, that he was a shining example of what more of the giants of the business could be, and what they could do, on here if they chose to do so and were unafraid to do so.

There are many bright, intelligent, thoughtful and caring people on here, but I, for one, wish that even more of those in high places would come on, consistently and on a regular basis, either under their own names, or with handles that were, like Stanke's, pretty common knowledge.

There's no denying that not only Stanke's personality but also his position in work and life lent his posts on here a power and a perspective that many of us don't have, or haven't yet learned, and SF_Express is proof that sharing for the good, of others and this business as a whole, can be nothing if not beneficial and positive for all involved.

What a great legacy.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with this, not just to rub virtual shoulders with heavyweights, but because I'm probably like a lot of guys in the business, especially those who are grinding still at small dailes, etc. I've never really had a coach, or an editor who would go over my copy and lend a hand, a compliment, a criticism that would make something better. Us small-towners are usually left on our own, learning the rights and wrongs as we go, editing ourselves and going straight onto the page. While it's a great way to learn and improve in real time, I look back and know I could've benefitted from a sound editor to teach me different things as I came up. I've heard in interviews in the past from people like this that they like my talent, and believe with more direction, I could be even better. While it was great to hear those things, it was also the reason I was passed up a couple of times.

I'm happy where I am -- and where I'm going in a few weeks -- but I might've gotten there sooner with some help, perhaps. Or maybe I wouldn't have. But I know I'd be better than I am today, and better 10 years from now than I will be.

It sounds like those who came across Craig Stanke were always the better for it. And like WriteThinking says, sometimes it's a huge help to so many just to read an SJ post. I know a few lines from WT about two years ago really helped me.

 

Tony, thanks for sharing.

I've been on and off this board lately - more off than on - and finding this thread saddens and alarms me. RIP and my prayers to Craig's family. It hurts to lose a thoughtful and informed voice like his.

Also, I'm motivated not to postpone trips to the doctor (something I just did last week). I'm not Craig's age - yet - but for somebody as healthy as he obviously was to die so suddenly is sobering for the rest of us. Don't take good health for granted. Be diligent.

 

RIP.

 

Didn't know Craig all that well, other than the occasional meeting at an APSE meeting or somesuch, and I didn't realize he was SF_Express, but it certainly makes sense now.

SF_Express will forever be remembered as a voice of reason at SportsJournalists.com. And safe home, Craig.

 

Wow, I just got back in town and saw this.

Can't say anything that hasn't been said, but I was definitely in the camp of not knowing him except through his posts. He really was an important part of SportsJournalists.com. I assumed he was a good guy from those posts, but had no idea how beloved he was. RIP.

 

Craig helped guide me through a job interview process last month with CBSSports.com even though he and I had only interacted once before. Over the course of 2-3 weeks we were exchanging e-mails like old friends and when I went in for my in-person interview with management and was taken around the news room I was brought over to Craig's desk. It was like seeing an old friend again even though that was the first time we met in person.

I wound up not getting the job and his last e-mail to me was incredible -- and now incredibly sad:

"Hi, Andy.... Sorry this one didn't work out. I know they had some very strong candidates. ... maybe something that IS a better fit will come along and we'll be talking again soon."

That was dated May 10th, less than three weeks ago. That e-mail, yet another example of how Craig always found time to communicate no matter who it was with, lifted my spirits and made me want to work for the guy so bad. My simple reply:

"Craig,

That sounds great. I look forward to talking to you again down the road.

Take care,

Andy"

Now that won't happen and my heart bleeds for his families -- immediate and at CBS -- as well as for the bigger family that is us. Knowing that his last race, that Memorial Day 5K, was where I live here in Boca Raton makes me wish I would have gone out and watched the finish so he would have had a familiar face there to congratulate him.

AK

 

Doyel touched on it, but as the stories pile up here about how generous SFE was with his time I'm just floored. I wish I'd taken up some of his time and in the future I'll be mindful to be more generous with mine.

 

I'm not a journalist, and have always been allowed to sit in here, and pretty much bitch about various sports/journalism issues. In 2006 (has it been that many years?), Sportsline started something with their online baseball game coverage, glogs. There was probably some foul up, and of course, I had to complain about it. Pretty soon, I got this PM:

Think about that... he didn't owe some anonymous online kvetcher *any* answer about an opening week foul up... I didn't know SF Express. But looking at that PM, you can tell, that is a professional... someone with pride of work ownership.


I was reading TJ Simers, and he wrote a column about Craig today. I had no idea Craig Stanke was our SF Express, until I came to this thread. So sad.

 

Anyone think enough money could be raised through people on this board and others who knew him to endow some sort of scholarship/other charitable need in Stanke's name?

 

When hired at the Sun-Sentinel in January, 1982, Fred Turner told me I’d love Stanke.

As usual, Fred was right. Two single guys in our 20s in South Florida. A great time of my life. We drank and laughed and worked so hard for the Sentinel. Partying was essential to Stank’s life, but he preached that it can’t get in the way of work. “Don’t you dare EVER call in sick with a hangover if you go out with me.” He was only a couple years older than me, but his wisdom blew me away. We were desk guys who occasionally wrote, but he was the first desk guy I knew who always took the writer’s side. Always. He hated copy editors who sniped at reporters. He taught me that, and it’s the best lesson I ever learned. We were inseparable. We had a rule that we couldn’t leave the bar until the tab surpassed $100. Some topped $200. When the Cubs clinched a playoff berth in ’84 (Leon Durham) we split a bottle of Dom (or as he slurred, a Dottle of Bom). We chased the same women and never battled over the outcome (he always won).

He had a family obligation same time as my wedding, so instead of attending he took us to dinner. He did all the ordering and planning and spent over a grand that night. Would not cut corners on anything, or allow us to pay a cent. We still spoke often, at least twice a month.

Many years ago I proudly told him I know he’s SF Express on this site. He called me a moron for not knowing it instantly.

His kids meant everything to him. He was so happy with Amy. He had a wonderful relationship with Ellen. The CBS family meant the world to him and he got me following most all his staffers on Twitter (of course, every suggestion was right-on). Gregg Doyel, who I never met, beautifully wrote Stank is one of his top 5 friends. I feel the same way. I’m learning that about a billion others have Stank in their top 5 as well.

 

Ouch. So much has already been said that is better than anything I have in mind.

A real gut punch to sports journalism and this board ... and his family and friends everywhere.

RIP, good sir. You will be missed.