I pulled my byline

[Doc Holliday]

Guys, the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that if I had it to do over, I would have gone into college sports information early in my career. And I sure never thought I'd say that.

You are not alone my friend. I've thought that for four or five years now. Even occasionally look for a sports info job just to get out of this heck. Oh, and we share the same sentiment of having never thought of going the sports info route, much less even thinking or saying it.

 

[Ace]

The SIDs at the big schools have it made. The two I worked mostly with are or were at their alma maters for 40+ years, scored six-figure incomes and drove donated Mercedes or other quality cars that are replaced every year. Yeah, they are some weird hours for football and basketball, but they have enough staff and interns to cover the rest.

Yes. Those are the few. The staff and interns aren't so lucky.

 

[jr/shotglass]

Two months ago, we had what I guess was a sports department reunion on an NFL Sunday at a former co-desker's place. Great turnout, probably 30 people passed through at one time or another.

But what brought it home for me was that there were only rwo people there who I worked alongside and are still part of the department. There was a gaggle of current clerks, but since they moved the desk to another building when they went three-day, I had never actually worked with any of them.

This is a department that, between full- and part-timers, numbered about 25 throughout my career. It now has two writers who actually come to the office. Everyone else works remotely.

I've been out for five months. That's how completely they've blown up the past.

 

[steveu]

I've looked in sports information but I always laugh at the ads that say "Experience in a sports information office is REQUIRED!" Why? Writing press releases, composing pages of online media guides, previewing and recapping games... I won't say they're exactly the same job, but there are a lot of similarities.

 

[JohnHammond]

That is code for "hiring a preferred candidate."

 

[daytonadan1983]

Did you pull your invoice, that day's salary or your expense report as well?

 

[steveu]

In other words, "we prefer to eat our own young."

I've only seen one writer get an SID job among my circle of friends. Funny thing is I also tried for the job and didn't even get an interview. But I just knew he'd get it. And he deserved it. Very hard worker and solid family man.