On Monday, I would call both ADs to tell them of the problem and to see what we can do about having rosters the next weel. (Assuming the visiting team is local).
If I have to, I will go to the principal. It's the ADs job.
That's not necessarily true. Providing media information is not listed in the job description of most high school athletic directors. Their responsibility is to see to scheduling in regards to the school and its students. Sometimes an assistant principal or coach is assigned that task, sometimes a clerk or secretary, sometimes no one at all. Most schools only deal with two or three media outlets, and many rural schools many not see anyone other than the editor/ad director/sportswriter from the local weekly all year.
Here is what I've told every reporter who has ever worked for me: Getting the roster is
your responsibility. Getting the stats is
your responsibility. Getting it right is
your responsibility. Come back to the office without the correct information, it's
your ass.
Will I call an AD or principal if they make my guy's job more difficult? Absolutely. But schedules, rosters and stats are basic reporting. Do your job. Sometimes that means you have to do quite a bit of clerical work. Tough. Welcome to the biz.
When I was still a ground-pounder, I would show up with a schedule when possible, buy a program and still hit the press box 45 minutes to an hour prior to the game to double-check the announcer's roster. I've copied entire rosters for both teams many times. I prevented a fair number of errors taking that approach.
