Posted by: GoOrange on July 1, 2008 8:28AM EST It is nice that you want the fan's input. Here we go... Baseball... I wish there were a way that we could see standings and stats once a week like the other sports. Baseball is important in Wyoming, and I have heard Mr. Eastridge say recently (a couple of years ago) that there are more Wyoming baseball players in college than football and basketball players combined. But, without the coordination of a governing body (listening, WHSAA?) I know stat tracking would be difficult at best. Casper... (my own view here) since I don't live in Casper, I don't care as much about Natrona and KW stories, rivalries, etc. I think the CST should have a local Casper sports page inside the sports section, and put the local Casper stuff there. If the CST is Wyoming's newspaper, then make page 1 of the sports page less of the Casper sports page, and more of a Wyoming sports page. Example - last week's coverage of the Hurricans... important Casper story, not much interest outside of Casper. Web... Find a way to compete with WyoPreps and give us scores as you get them... rather than after they are printed. Photos - give us more than just Casper during the regular season in all sports. I know, resources... but your photographers are so good, that I would love to see a photo spread of a Cody - Powell game, or a Riverton - Lander game, or... you get the idea. Web - much improved over a couple years ago... keep it up!

Posted by: kathy on July 1, 2008 10:46AM EST I would love to see more coverage of the "non-ball" sports, especially Nordic skiing. We have one of the best Nordic facilities in the US, here in Casper, with kids from our state competing at the national level, yet there is barely any coverage or recognition. As far as Casper coverage dominating the sports pages, I've often wondered if it's that way in the state version of the paper, apparently it is. I agree that there ought to be a Casper section, and that the rest of the state needs coverage, too.

Posted by: tmillerwyo on July 1, 2008 10:58AM EST You've done a good job. Having more stories about Casper is only natural. I like stories about individual athletes across the state, and stories about old-time greats like Whitaker & Mercer. I like the sports blog and the sports history-site (Football). The biggest area for the potential growth is the web, such as: more photos, audio (of regular season contests) & video (of championship contests) web-casts, streaming scores (ESPN-type score-bar at bottom on web-page). And Patrick nothing to do with you, but I agree the WHSAA should take over WYO baseball.

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on July 1, 2008 11:02AM EST Love the idea about a Casper section and a state section. That has been my one main complaint about the CST for a long time. I really don't care what happens with Natrona and KW. Far as I'm concerned they can put the Casper section in the Casper distribution only. Some may not like that, but my only interest might be the score. I'd like to see some more in depth stories about other schools around the state. Maybe pick a school each week or a particular rivalry each week. If you are running too thin, you might ask some fans around the state to submit information to you. You might find some interest there. I really liked the daily articles you did on the Shrine Bowl. I am hoping you will do something like that on the North/South All-star BB game.

Posted by: gtown on July 1, 2008 11:37AM EST as tmillerwyo said it is only natural to have more stories on Casper schools though I agree they should maybe have a seperate section. But I really like the individual stories you do during the time of State or Regionals either based on teams or individuals.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on July 1, 2008 1:38PM EST Thanks, everyone. Keep the ideas coming. --patrick

Posted by: mm on July 1, 2008 1:38PM EST i think a little bit more coverage of baseball would be nice too. i like what GoOrange said about having stats once a week. also like casper section idea. The stories about a rivalry each different week would be fun too.

Posted by: sportsfan on July 1, 2008 6:44PM EST I think the blog is great. Good debates, info, etc.. I would like to see it get away from bashing of coaches. It makes me sick to read some of the stuff that people are saying. Most of the time it is gossip anyway. People need to realize that coaches are people too and that they have families that are hurt by comments posted on the blog. Coaches are underpaid and they also spend a lot of time away from their families. thanks

Posted by: Xcskier on July 2, 2008 12:19AM EST I agree about the casper section, it would be nice. I'd also like to see more coverage of the non-mainstream sports as well, I know most people don't care as much, but I know that the Lander and Jackson boys Nordic teams dueled all season and fought to a draw at state that was tipped Jackson's way by a hand-timed tenth of a second, I would have liked to see more coverage of that season long battle. On the same note it would be nice to see more coverage of those sports in the year end wrap up columns, for instance A wyoming skier won not one but three NATIONAL titles in 2007 and it was not even mentioned in the stories of the year, how can that be? I'm biased towards skiing, but I would love to see more coverage of skiing, gymnastics, xc, and tennis et al other than at state and whenever they roll through casper. Some of wyoming's most nationally competitive athletes hail from these sports, I want to hear about them.

Posted by: Kathy on July 2, 2008 8:41AM EST Exactly! Also, there is a new biathalon course being made up on Casper Mt. OUr son skies for UW, competing and placing nationally at the collegiate level. It would also be nice to see some coverage of UW cycling as well.

Posted by: bullfrog on July 2, 2008 10:13AM EST Everyone seems to want more coverage of the "non-ball" activities and I am no different. With the CNFR in Casper we have an opportunity to highlight some of the competitors in high school from across the WY state and follow them through the ranks. The Wyoming High School Rodeo Association puts out some pretty competitive athletes that we will more than likely see compete in the CNFR later. It would be nice to have more coverage of high school rodeo- which would lead to more coverage of college rodeo!

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on July 2, 2008 12:46PM EST Thanks again, everyone. Quick thought: Most of the suggestions have been for "more," and as much as I'd like to work 60 hours a week, my bosses say I can only work 40. So... where will the time come from to do "more"? What should be sacrificed? That's the quandary that keeps me up at night. --patrick

Posted by: anon on July 2, 2008 12:57PM EST one could sacrifice at bit of the attention to ball sports, specifically those here in Casper.

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on July 2, 2008 1:21PM EST Sorry Patrick, but we are giving you what you asked for. If you need more people to accomplish that then you'll have to tell the boss. If the readers want more in sports then this forum should be presented to the "bosses". As I remember there was a pretty in depth and somewhat heated discussion on this subject not too long ago in this forum. There were a lot of good suggestions about getting information to you without adding more employees. What should be sacrificed?.....so much in depth coverage on KW and Natrona. Make those stories shorter and spend time on another story. Like I said there are some people who won't like that, but those of us in smaller schools really don't care that there is a 3 column article about either of those schools.

Posted by: TrackFan on July 2, 2008 1:48PM EST I am from Casper and I agree with a Casper page. That would be a great way to allow for coverage of other cities for the main sports section and could have more in-depth coverage of athletes, such as skiers, from the Casper area. I know that you and Ron have been working your tails off to really try to revamp the sports sections and website. We all certainly appreciate the effort up to this point!

Posted by: Mick Johnson on July 2, 2008 2:46PM EST I can see that you have the "want" but not the "how" to cover the smaller schools in more detail. I think you and the staff have done a great job with the coverages. I wonder if you couldn't solicit students from these small schools that may have an interest in journalism as a career, or better yet sports journalism, that could be your "cub reporters" to help cover the activities. With the technology we have today (ie: internet and text msg) they could report to you or an assistant with details of the action. I know bulldog fan mentioned parents but they could be a little bias. Just a thought. As a parent of a student athlete that received alot of coverage throughout his high school career, I must admit it made me burst at the buttons to read articles about him. Sometimes the coverage in the CST was better than our local paper.

Posted by: OSP on July 2, 2008 8:51PM EST The Rocky Mountain News has a prep section every Thursday. Gerald Velario and some other guy are in charge. You already do some Thursday prep stuff but a pullout like the college rodeo every Thursday will be something to look forward to and get the fans ready for Fridays (football, volleyball, cross country) + BB, wrestling swimming, etc. in the winter. Just a thought.

Posted by: Kevin Williams on July 2, 2008 9:01PM EST Pretty tough topic to open up to the public, so first of all, way to be brave, Patrick. I'm sorry, but the title of the paper is the Casper Star Tribune, hence a lot of stories about sports in Casper. I would love to see more articles about high school sports state wide, but would hate to see the local (i.e. Casper) sports take a hit. I love high school sports and I try to keep up with the internet bookmarks on several papers throughout the state, but I still love to read the sports page over breakfast. If anything, I would cut down on the pro sports coverage and all the wire service articles. I can catch the coverage of that stuff on Sports Center or ESPN Radio. With apologies to all you Bronco fans, I don't think we need a story or two a day about them during the fall and the same with the Nuggets and Rockies in the winter and spring. The state wide coverage of high school sports is the most important. I know that I have seen a call for more non-ball sports coverage, but face it folks, the guys at Milo's Barber Shop want to read about the football and basketball games while waiting for their hair cut on Saturday morning.

Posted by: Mike on July 2, 2008 10:53PM EST There has been much debate over classification arguments here the last year. let's be honest, getting to state in class 3A basketball is easy compared to other states. I'm not knocking state teams but 16 teams and half make the state tourney??? Montana and SD have over 120 teams in their lowest classification and only 8 make state, in their second classification there are over 75. I would like to see a push from the casper star as patrick has done, to investigate how to make classification more competitive. Seems to me in Wy, if you look at SD and MT could have basically three classes in everything and increase the number of schools. Sure the team in 1A with 65 kids is going to cry wolf at playing a school with 300.... but there will be years that school of 65 has a great class and is competitve and wins.... just seems to me being the best team out of 16 isn't as monumental as being the best team out of 120 even if a state title comes once every 100 years.... classification is a hot bed issue and patrick has had some great ideas, the WHSAA keeps blowing in the wind on the issue, perhaps they should take a stand and undertsand some schools will simply be put in an adverse situation.... schools across the country deal with so should WY schools

Posted by: anon on July 3, 2008 12:30AM EST by all means, satisfy the guys in the barbershop... groan... same old same old

Posted by: HS Sports Fans on July 3, 2008 12:18PM EST I agree with Kevin. and when fall gets here, let's leave the full page report on Saturday morning about the virtual game vs. UW opponent out. Put it on the web but leave it out of the paper. Use this space to cover actual sporting events in the state.

Posted by: a1fan on July 4, 2008 4:17PM EST Patrick thank you for all the coverage you do manage to get in for us lowly little one and two a schools.Ido aperciate the fact tha you work for the CASPER STAR TRIB and not the wyo star trib,so as much as i would like to see the coverage of the smaller schools i understand why this doesn't get the coverage.Your blog here give the small schools the opp. to let the folks out there give the rest of the readers updates and new from their resective schools. Let your readers know that this blog gives out more information then then wyo preps and please post the new of you teams on here and let the rest of the state know what y'all been doing

Posted by: garnett on July 5, 2008 5:31PM EST How about some coverage of the Wyoming Senior Olympics. Coverage supplied by the Sports Dept. of the CST. This year it's July 23-26 in Sheridan. Almost all the coverage I've seen has been in section B, not the sports section. More information is at: www.wyseniorolympics.com .

Posted by: retired coach on July 7, 2008 2:11PM EST Just some information for thought. When was the last time anyone saw an ad in the Tribune from Sundance or Yoder or Mountain View or Lovell or Sheridan or.............need I go on. Advertisers in Casper expect to see coverage of local high school sports. Perhaps if there were enough advertisers from outside of Casper that were willing to support two pages of high school sports once a week, those in charge of the CST might be willing to give the sports department a couple more pages. I checked with the sports department and they have virtually no travel budget. Anything outside of state championship games, the money comes out of the sports reporters pockets. Again, has anyone offered to pay gas, food and lodging for anyone to come cover their games. Once many years ago to entice officials to referee games in a tournament in the boondocks, we provided lodging with a full refrigerator and a cafe tab. We didn't have any trouble attracting officials.Those amenities were picked up by local businesses. Those of you complaining about KW and NC coverage, remember that most of that coverage also includes the schools they are playing that week. I'm sure there are some good high school journalists in Wyoming, but do you have junior high officials referee varsity games. Perhaps those high school journalists should use Goulash to show their skills.

Posted by: D.E. on July 7, 2008 3:20PM EST retired coach, while I do agree with your points, the post called for this kind of chatter. New ideas dont just spring up out of the air, and I think this post was aiming for that. Obviously alot of people who post on here are from smaller schools, and naturally want more coverage on their schools and the schools they are in competition with. Also, the high school journalists do use Goulash, but I dont really see how it would be bad resource to get a story or an idea for a story from someone who is at these events. It could be a nice opportunity for Patrick or any others at the tribune to have access to when needed.

Posted by: Mick on July 7, 2008 5:41PM EST retired coach, I really think that some high school journalist could help fill the void. I am not saying that they would do the job Patrick, Dave or Austin would do but they may do an alright job...who knows? As for the officials....don't get me started. LOL I was in advertising years ago and I think some businesses would love to have the statewide exposure. Not every Casper business would want it but some would. CST does distribute statewide so obviously there are some businesses that see the benefit of that already. I agree with D.E., Patrick wanted some ideas and input. I wouldn't say people are complaining about the KW and NC coverage, just expressing opinions and sharing ideas.

Posted by: sports journalist on July 8, 2008 2:24PM EST i think having high school, or even college, journalist help out would help in two ways. 1- it would get some coverage from around the state that you dont have to pay, and 2- parents of these high school, and even college parents, would love to see their kids name in the paper, and could be a money maker for both readers in small towns and the parents of the journalist. this would also give them some experience of how the real world newspaper works. it educates, brings money in and also covers the small town. the only problem i see is the small schools may suffer. will small schools like southeast, glenrock, ect. have a journalism department? also, i agree for a casper section. while this is called the casper star tribune, this is a STATEWIDE newspaper. good luck.

Posted by: sports journalist on July 8, 2008 2:25PM EST also, me being a former high school journalist (now a college journalist) i would have done ANYTHING...still would...to help with a statewide paper like casper. i think you should really consider this.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on July 8, 2008 6:12PM EST sports journalist -- The short answer: We'd never ask anyone to work for free. Remember, "You get what you pay for." And proofreading stories from 18-year-old high school journalists (or even 21-year-old college journalists) would take time, much more than you realize. Finding people isn't the problem; the problem is finding people that can write what we need, and then paying them adequately. Right now, the second part of that equation doesn't even allow us to try to do the first part. --patrick

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on July 8, 2008 11:45PM EST Can't figure out why the ideas brought forth here aren't able to work. The "pay" excuse is just that...an excuse. I do agree that proofing lots of stories would be impossible. So....each week pick say, 3 games and post on the Goulash that you need a story about each of those games(or events). See what kind of interest you have and go from there. Pick someone to do the story. That way you only have 3 stories to proof and you get coverage from all areas of the state (eventually). Most of the "journalists" would be more than thrilled to have their story published. There doesn't need to be any pay. Over the years there have been parents, students & just interested fans and/or citizens write sports articles, news stories, history information, etc. for the Sundance Times. Lots of people send in pics. To my knowledge, none of them have ever been paid. Some articles are better than others, but the input is always welcomed. This is going to be the only way to get the stories we want to see in the CST. I understand that the sports department has it's limits people wise and money wise. But....the CST is the one bragging about being a statewide paper. If they want to brag then they need to live up to it. Retired Coach....as for the advertising....when was the last time someone came to Sundance to ask for ads? Or for that matter called. I own my own businees here and have never heard from them.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on July 9, 2008 1:00AM EST Actually, Bulldog Fan, there DOES need to be pay. Abraham Lincoln assured everyone of that right. --patrick

Posted by: Mick on July 9, 2008 10:42AM EST Hey Bulldog Fan...CHILL. I detect a hint of rage in your blog. I still get more info from the CST than from our local area paper... usually. I know I suggested the high school journalist thing but in hindsight I can see that proofing or even verifying the accuracy of the stories could be an issue. I bet the journalist would be the most popular kid in school on game day. LOL I don't know the practicality of an advertising rep calling on small business owners throughout the state. I'm sure their bread and butter is the market in their own back yard. There is tremendous support for the regional and state programs (rosters etc) from the local businesses for their respective teams. It's not that businesses don't want to support their local teams thats for sure. I don't know what the answer is but continue to enjoy reading the CST.

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on July 9, 2008 11:52AM EST I'm chilled. Sorry it sounded like rage. That wasn't the intent. I just don't understand the question, I guess. I thought Patrick was looking for input. We have provided a lot of that here, but everything that is suggested doesn't seem to work for one reason or another. I don't know that the "journalist" has to be a kid or a parent for that matter. Since I will be neither starting this year, I would VOLUNTEER to do a story. Mick, I bet you would, too. More stories from around the state is what the readers on this blog seem to want. Well...let's see if we can't accomplish that. Since Patrick says his resources are limited(people and money) then start out with one story each week. See how it goes. Maybe it can build up, maybe not, but no one will know how it can work unless the CST is willing to try it. I love a challenge, so Patrick....look at the schedule for Sundance and pick me something from the first week. The choices for us would be volleyball, golf & football. I don't think we will have a cross-country team. I want to have time to do some research on the other team, too. (6-7 weeks lead time should do it since I'm not a journalist) LOL.

Posted by: Charlynn on July 9, 2008 1:34PM EST No, Bulldog Fan, you don't get it. Yes, Patrick was looking for input and you provided it, but your idea just won't fly at a place like the CST. When the CST uses people from around the state to write stories, they're called correspondents, they're paid for their work, and they're journalists by profession. If journalism were something any ol' joe could jump in and do with no experience or training, would anybody bother going to school for it? Sorry, but it's not as easy as it looks!

Posted by: Bulldog Fan on July 9, 2008 2:07PM EST You are right. I guess I just don't get it. So, Charlynn, you are telling me that every story in the CST is by a "professional" journalist? You may be right, I guess I never paid any attention. I certainly will from now on, mainly because I'm curious. I do know that it is not an easy job. That's why I put in the blurb about taking me 6-7 weeks to do research. I don't want to portray that I am a "professional" journalist and doubt anyone on this blog does. Just trying to offer some help with one story. If all the facts were provided to a "professional" journalist at the CST then they could write or rewrite a story from there with a lot less time involved. Patrick, is it worth a try or not?

Posted by: sports journalist on July 9, 2008 2:18PM EST i support bulldog fan. not every single journalist would want pay. a contribution to the CST would only build the journalist portfolio. i'd say its worth a try. what do you have to lose besides not enough coverage of other schools.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on July 9, 2008 5:45PM EST The rub in this whole argument is standards. We have certain standards with our stories that they have correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, Star-Tribune newsroom style and AP style. We will not lower our standards of print just to have "more coverage." The manpower it would take to make sure submitted copy meets those standards is not worth the limited amount of time we have as a staff. Quite frankly, high school and college writers cannot meet the standards to which we hold our own staff writers. It is the policy of the Star-Tribune newsroom not to run submitted stories. All Star-Tribune staff writers and correspondents are compensated for their work. Story ideas are always accepted and encouraged. Also, it is not the Star-Tribune's responsibility to help a student journalist build a portfolio. That is why schools have their own newspapers. That's why I worked for student press groups for seven years (three in high school, four in college) before my first byline in a non-student paper. If you'd like to debate this further, please feel free to call me at (307) 266-0615 or e-mail me at patrick.schmiedt@trib.com. Or, at bare minimum, at least put your real name on the posts you put here.

Posted by: Helen Tenke(Bulldog Fan) on July 9, 2008 6:27PM EST I don't mind putting my real name on this post or any other one, but I don't know what it has to do with anything regarding this subject. Patrick, if you would have just quoted CST policy back on July 1 when article submission was first mentioned it sure would have shortened this blog(or added a new dimension to it). Hey, we all have to abide by someone's rules. We just have to know what those rules are to be able to follow them. To go back and respond to your original post.....you asked what we wanted to see. Several of us have told you. With the limits on money and manpower I don't see our ideas helping you much. So, I will consider this blog subject a lesson in journalism standards. I really did learn something new today.

Posted by: tmillerwyo on July 10, 2008 6:53PM EST Bulldog Fan, you're fooling yourself if you thought every idea presented within this blog wouldn't have some possible restrictions upon its implementation. If Patrick can take any of these ideas to "tweak" the current coverage, then I say this blog topic has been a success. Also, if there are some amateur journalist around the state willing to write free sports articles, well maybe Patrick could set up a blog for these articles to be published on-line and allow readers to comment on its facts (and leave AP-style articles to the professionals).

Posted by: Anonymous on July 11, 2008 11:36AM EST my bad. looks like i will never be a qualified journalist to help out/work with the CST. best of luck.

Posted by: CA on July 15, 2008 12:10AM EST I have worked with Patrick and know that he does a great job of providing a write ups "when" he is provided with information on the game. Simply photo copying the score book or stat sheet and faxing it to him produced great write ups for the athletes/school I represented!

Posted by: roundballhead on July 19, 2008 11:49AM EST It’s an interesting idea having amateur reporters doing a story for their local schools. Patrick, I fully understand the ideas of professionalism and standards. However, there is a way around this. What about a page with say eight guest shots, one from each classification and from each conference (i.e. 2 from each conference about a specific game) or perhaps a "best of the Web" spot. Have a spot on Goulash for postings on "hot" games a pick a report to go into the CST. Much like getting a editorial posted, most writers are just thrilled to get their letter published. (as far as the Lincoln/ slavery comment I think you vastly under estimated the compensation factor of being "published").