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

Craig was very kind to me, in both editing and rejection, a true gentleman.

 

pseudo, I think I love you. Having these mean so much to me.

I hope I can return the favor some day.

 

Thanks for those, Pseudo.

 

I've been thinking about him, and just about everyone on this thread, for weeks. Just re-read all of the emails and personal messages we exchanged, and I'm overwhelmed with feelings. I'm also laughing about what he'd think about compound modifiers and hyphens are still a source of stress in my professional life.

Missing you, SF. Missing you, Stanke.

 

Stanke and I both worked for the Clearwater Sun, but I started after Stanke left for Fort Lauderdale
I got to meet him though, especially on a memorable night in Fort Lauderdale after covering a Miami-Florida State game
I tried, and failed, to keep up with him on a bar night
He later hired me for the copy desk in Jacksonville
I had been in Clearwater for 5 1/2 years and was wondering if I'd ever move on
I ended up working 28 years at The Detroit News
It never would have happened if it weren't for Craig Stanke

 

Might have said it before in this thread (didn't go back to check), but every time I hear "Disco Inferno" I can see Stanke dancing and every time I hear "Heaven's Just a Sin Away" I can hear him trying to sing. Then, whenever I think of my start in this business, he's there, too. RIP.

 

"I can hear him trying to sing." You definitely knew him.

He told me he started a Bluegrass band because one didn't need to be able to sing to sing Bluegrass.

 

It is appropriate that I received an email this morning confirming all was in place so I could now share this news.

On behalf of Alyson, Eric and Ellen Stanke, Krissy Erickson and myself, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Craig Stanke Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Journalism. The first applications can be made next fall/winter, with the first grant made in the spring of 2020. It will be financial need based with preference given to students intending to get this new sports focused certification

SJMC Announces New Sports Communication Certificate

It is not a large dollar amount so we can fund it ourselves, which we have committed to do for at least five years.

I don’t think there was a part of the business that meant more to Craig than mentoring young journalists. We can’t replace that, but we can help in this small way.

 

I posted this on Craig's Facebook page
Thank you

 

Nice.

Thanks for the update, Amy.