Toughest college programs to cover

Penn State's access is notoriously bad, though JoePa finally has started letting freshmen -- well, the good freshmen -- talk to the media.

My favorite Jeff Nelson impersonation reads something like this: "I can't confirm any information for you at this time. And I'm not authorized to release any information. But if any more information is forthcoming, we'll send out a press release with that information."

 

I've had only limited dealings with K-State's new regime, but in those limited dealings I have found Prince and his SID lackeys to be true pains in the ass.

Thank you.

 

So basically, Virginia Tech is nice to cover but every other BCS school for the most part sucks.

I imagine mid-majors are usually very open and helpful, seeing as how many crave the coverage. At least the one I used to cover was really good. Coach let me call him Sundays (during film sessions), even.

 

Was he, by chance, ever a state trooper?

 

From the looks of things this season we won't have to worry about Al Groh and his other anal policies much longer.
It would be funny if the new coach opened up the media policies and the media wrote stories in the spring quoting players about what an ass Groh is.

 

I did a story on a local yokel who worked as a trainer for the Syracuse national championship hoops team a few years back. It took me a week to get a mug shot photo from the Orange Sports Information department. Should've taken five minutes. I don't know how many e-mails, faxes and letters I had to send them, but it was ridiculous.

 

Wow, makes me glad I cover major league baseball. Talk about some great access.

 

Pretty much. It wouldn't even cross the mid-major coach in our area's mind to close practice to anyone.

Basketball is a little different, but not immensely so. I have access to every practice, cell numbers for everyone from coaches to players, etc. I am concerned that I have a new basketball secretary to deal with. Gotta work that pipeline anew.

The one thing the coach I cover is ultra-secretive about is recruiting visits and verbals. Of course, coaches can't say anything on the record, but even off-the-record -- where he is normally effusive (and often entertainingly profane) on every other topic -- he clams up big time. Must have been burned at some point in his career.

 

Those having to cover Fort Shula have my sympathies this week...

 

How Florida hasn't been mentioned on this thread is beyond me.

 

No SEC people had probably seen it, busy as they are log rolling on the job board.