First of all, I want you all to go and look at that so-called press (or should I say “compressed” box) that has been erected at the new baseball stadium site. THERE WILL BE A STORY ON THIS NEXT WEEK.
Secondly, I know that this is our “SEX & AIDS” issue, and although sex is a contact sport, I feel that I needn’t elaborate on the issue. You all are grown (or so you think), you know right from wrong, good from bad, big from little, and so on…
Since we are talking about sex though, let’s talk about orgasms. According to studies, the average orgasm lasts approximately six seconds. That’s all. It’s the afterglow that has most of you all knotted up. Now the average sound bite or quote from an athlete lasts roughly around six to ten seconds-and maybe a little bit longer and the average time it takes to defame someone’s character-no time at all.
In case you haven’t noticed, the sports’ section is completely female, with the exception of Gary Holloway, who contributes from time to time.
We work hard, we work diligently and we do damned good for females. I try to instill that although we are sports’ writers, we can still be ladies and vice versa.
As sports editor, I try to reinforce the sports staff in getting the stories they need with professionalism and tact. As a result, I feel that we have gained the respect of much of our readers, peers and the university.
But there are still those out there who insist on seeing things another way.
There is very little that I wouldn’t do for this paper and furthermore, this university and its system, everyone knows this. But one thing I cannot stomach is those who attempt to discredit my integrity in order to express whatever disdain they have with me.
I work hard at what I do. I enjoy what I do and I hope that the readers enjoy what I print. I may not please everyone all of the time, but I do my job, and I do it fairly.
It is hard enough being a woman in a male dominated field. I have been around professional and collegiate athletes in pressrooms and locker rooms and not once have I ever loss sight of what I needed to accomplish.
So getting back to that orgasm; six seconds isn’t nearly long enough for me to risk losing that six to ten second sound bite or quote that just might make or break a story.
And as far as defamation, save it, because my game is tight-and I ain’t going anywhere.
