[tps_title]Programs are putting more restrictions on reporters[/tps_title]
Washington State defensive football coaches told reporters this week they are no longer permitted to list limited players in practice reports, or describe depth chart changes. The coaches reasoned that such information gives a one-sided advantage to the Cougars’ opponents.
This follows the news recently that the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger has suspended its coverage of Jackson State, which makes only its interim head coach available to reporters.
If that policy at Washington State is breached, the defensive coaches will no longer speak to reporters.
Arizona’s practices are off limits but Rich Rodriguez is generally available after practices for interviews. The school brings players to the weekly press conference on Mondays. Reporters outside of Tucson can make a request to the meda relations department to talk to an athlete over the phone. Players and assistant coaches are allowed to be interviewed, on occasion, after practice after the reporters submit a request.
Rodriguez has openly commented about a player’s availability because of an injury during his press conference and the school releases an injury report for the upcoming game every Thursday.
What’s happening at Jackson State is the extreme. Most schools place restrictions that inhibit the reporter from telling the complete story (not always a negative one, mind you). That’s unfortunate because the athlete loses most in the end because of a story left untold.
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He has also written articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.[/tps_footer]
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