Time for Indy area fans to step up

[TJames]

I got back home to my westside Indy home Saturday night after the Indiana State Homecoming win and expected to turn on the late news and hear them at least give the score. But I was sorely disappointed. Now I only saw two of the stations, Channels 13 and 59, but neither one announced the score. Channel 59 did have the score on a crawl at the bottom of the screen, but that was about it.

I don't know if Channels 8 or 6 had anything or not. I also saw that the Indy Star listed the score and had a very small snippet on the game, behind about two or three smaller school scores.

Because of my occupation, I really can't urge anybody to contact those media outlets and ask them about their coverage, especially since a couple of them had made comments in past years about ISU's long losing streak. But if you folks are so inclined, be my guest.

What with the Indy connections to this year's Sycamores team, especially Shakir Bell and Bryant Kent, and the turnabout so far of the program, I would think that it might make a good story.....if anybody wants to tell it.

 

[XTreeXC]

Because of my occupation, I really can't urge anybody to contact those media outlets and ask them about their coverage, especially since a couple of them had made comments in past years about ISU's long losing streak. But if you folks are so inclined, be my guest.]

I contacted Jim Lefko (senior sports editor) at the Indianapolis Star last basketball season to question why Indiana State doesn't receive more attention from the Star, and he flatly told me that the Star doesn't cover ISU sports (or E-ville, Valpo, etc.).

He basically said that it's not in their budget, and interested fans could just as easily access ISU news via the TH Trib online. I mentioned a comparison between the Star's lack of ISU coverage versus its relatively substantial coverage of Ball State, and I was told that Muncie also has a Gannett-owned (i.e. "sister") newspaper that shares information.

Since WTHR partners with the Star, that might be part of why they don't broadcast ISU news either. Just a guess, but it seems like a rational conclusion.

I can buy Lefko's explanation to a certain extent, but it's still sad that ISU isn't getting exposure from the state's largest newspaper.

 

[TJames]

When it comes to college sports,

It's sad that the Indy Star isn't what it used to be. They never really "covered" Indiana State sports on a day-to-day basis, but they would come over to do feature stories on occasion on deserving teams, athletes or coaches. And they would cover games in football or men's basketball depending on who we played, such as Homecoming or if it was a MVC school or big rival (like Ball State).

I just think that it's funny that they can find time to come over and do a story on ISU's long football losing streak last year but that they can't find the time to do a story on the apparent turnaround this year. I would think that it would be a natural story to do.

 

[Bally #50]

Back when I was running the Indy alumni group, we started a campaign to the Star as well as the TV stations as far as basketball and football coverage and it was actually quite successful. Lefko and I have gone back and forth as well and he has told me the same thing. No money. Letting the Lafayette paper handle the Boilers for them tells me he is telling the truth. The TV stations will give us hoop coverage when we win and they did a great job back in the early 2000's. Same with football most likely, win and they will "write". I wouldn't start the campaign until hoops steps it up a notch. We waited until they were up to 20 wins and they covered us. Lose to Tennessee-Martin and they won't. Hopefully this will be our year to show the improvement.

 

[Sackalot]

The Star is pathetic and has been since it changed hands.

Indy doesn't cover ISU because the different markets involved. Its sad but true. The question that I have to ask is why doesn't ISU figure out a way to get hte information we want to the alumni and fans...today is different than I have ever seen it.

Posts all over the place about stories and info on this website, on facebook,etc. I am very happy with the reporting (on the internet) about the Sycamore victory. Whomever is posting the info great job.

Complaining about the Star is like complaining about weather....you can keep on doing it and it isn't going to change a darn thing. If its going to rain, its going to rain, if its going to snow its going to snow. Only difference is that the weather changes..the Star doesn't...they will always ignore ISU!!

 

[ISUGUY]

heard a little ISU chatter on the Ride with JMV last week. he is an ISU grad - perhaps the locals could ring him up and attempt to get on the air with some ISU info.

1070 on your AM dial

weekdays 3 - 7-ish on the ride home

 

[bent20]

Six showed the score after the game with several other in-state football scores. It was on at the Copper Bar and everyone cheered.

 

[landrus13]

I saw the score on the bottom of the screen on ESPN.

 

[Bally #50]

heard a little ISU chatter on the Ride with JMV last week. he is an ISU grad - perhaps the locals could ring him up and attempt to get on the air with some ISU info.

1070 on your AM dial

weekdays 3 - 7-ish on the ride home

I sent him an update on Dennis Raetz's window and he read it on the air, too~

 

[Jason Svoboda]

heard a little ISU chatter on the Ride with JMV last week. he is an ISU grad - perhaps the locals could ring him up and attempt to get on the air with some ISU info.

1070 on your AM dial

weekdays 3 - 7-ish on the ride home

I love JMV, but he just doesn't seem to talk ISU a lot. He's always talking up IU and I really wish he'd give some more time to ISU. There are over 100,000 Sycamore alumni in the Indianapolis area, so the market should be here, you'd think.

 

[Bally #50]

I love JMV, but he just doesn't seem to talk ISU a lot. He's always talking up IU and I really wish he'd give some more time to ISU. There are over 100,000 Sycamore alumni in the Indianapolis area, so the market should be here, you'd think.

Boda, you're a little off on that number. There are about 12,000 in central Indiana per the Alumni page on the ISU website. JMV's love for the university comes out occasionally but to be honest, much of it is a tad sarcastic, but he does love the Bally.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Boda, you're a little off on that number. There are about 12,000 in central Indiana per the Alumni page on the ISU website. JMV's love for the university comes out occasionally but to be honest, much of it is a tad sarcastic, but he does love the Bally.

Really, I thought I saw 100k on a map in the development office. Anyhow, wish State could get JMV back into town for some events.

 

[Bally #50]

Really, I thought I saw 100k on a map in the development office. Anyhow, wish State could get JMV back into town for some events.

I've got the printout if you want to count it. Since my involvement, it has ranged from 9750 to a peak at around 13,500. Currently, the Terre Haute count is slightly higher. We have been ahead of TH about 40% of the time. JMV accepted an invite to join me at an ISU Indy happy hour (and a free dinner) but never made it due to some problem at work. He's willing to plug anything we do so there's hope. He's good at what he does, that's for sure. We have never met but have e-mailed him often.

 

[4Q_iu]

I don't think we have 100,000 living alumni...

Was thinking we were around the ~75,000 level; with <15,000 in the Indy area

 

[Bally #50]

4Q, it's more than 100k but I don't have the exact number.

 

[4Q_iu]

4Q, it's more than 100k but I don't have the exact number.

More total or more in Indy?

I've never seen State claim more than 100K living alumni

 

[Sackalot]

I can't imagine it is much more than 100,000K living. Just simpe math would tell you that it couldn't be. I know that it isn't much more than 10,000 in Indy.

 

[4Q_iu]

Alumni Association. Since 1887, the Indiana State Univesity Alumni Association has dedicated itself to providing programming and connecting alumni, students, and friends of the University in lifelong support of Indiana State University. Providing services to over 80,000 alumni, the Alumni Association is directed by a 31 member board of directors...

Source: The 2009-10 State Catalog
http://catalog.indstate.edu/content.php?catoid=9&navoid=212

 

[TJames]

back to the subject at hand...lol....

I know JMV pretty well. He was on the student radio station at Indiana State when I was the assistant SID there. And I have been on his radio show a few times, both shows (WNDE and now on 1070 The Fan).

He is an ISU guy and will talk it up. He has made some jokes at the expense of ISU and Terre Haute, which gets a little old at times.

JMV has been invited to take part in next spring's Indiana State Football Golf Outing, as has Jeremiah Johnson from Channel 59 and Greg Rakestraw of Hometown Sports. All three have standing offers to come over.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

I've got the printout if you want to count it. Since my involvement, it has ranged from 9750 to a peak at around 13,500. Currently, the Terre Haute count is slightly higher. We have been ahead of TH about 40% of the time. JMV accepted an invite to join me at an ISU Indy happy hour (and a free dinner) but never made it due to some problem at work. He's willing to plug anything we do so there's hope. He's good at what he does, that's for sure. We have never met but have e-mailed him often.

I believe you... if anyone knows, it's you. Plus, I was an undergrad when I was last in the development office and likely in a Bally-induced haze.