This is long overdue. The Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) is going to invite writers to join their group.
Since launching this blog in 2012, I have been following the APSE site and even attended their convention when it was in Chicago. It struck me that the sports editors were discussing topics and exchanging ideas that would be of high interest to writers like myself.
Why not include us?
Apparently, Kent Babb of the Washington Post and Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune agreed. APSE president Tim Stephens, deputy managing editor for CBSSports.com, writes in his newsletter:
As a multiple-time APSE award winner, Washington Post reporter Kent Babb had reason to take an interest in the organization that was recognizing his best work. Babb began attending APSE events on his own, taking the opportunity to introduce himself and get to know editors across the nation.
Being a good reporter, he also saw an opportunity to question the status quo.
“At the Boston convention (in 2011), I invited a writer friend of mine to drop by a session or two; if there was any heat, I’d take it, because I’ve just been showing up for the previous few years,” Babb said. “He didn’t feel like he should, though, it being an editors meeting and all, and he said he just wouldn’t feel comfortable. I thought this was a problem for the organization and for any writers interested in taking part — for learning or networking reasons — because we in journalism can’t afford to be hesitant. Sometimes I feel like writers and editors don’t always speak the same language, but in my experience, APSE events have helped me break down that communication wall.”
Babb began thinking he should do more than break down that communication wall. He and reporter Dan Wiederer, also a multiple-time APSE winner now with the Chicago Tribune, launched a campaign to allow writers to join APSE. They made their pitch to the membership in 2012, and it was passed by APSE’s executive committee at last June’s summer conference in Detroit.
Writers now can join APSE for $50 annually if their organization is already a member of APSE. (Writers from non-APSE news organizations can join for $75 but should contact me at tim.stephens@cbsinteractive.com or Executive Director Jack Berninger at jackapse@aol.com before applying. Here is a link with lihttp://apsportseditors.org/how-to-join/ and you can sign up and pay here: http://registration.apsportseditors.org/pay/
Later Stephens writes:
It seems only natural that APSE open its doors to writers, especially considering how many editors began their careers as writers before moving into management and the evolution of the newsroom also creates opportunities for writers to lead both in the field and from the sports editors’ office.
“Having the door to APSE opened just a little more, and formally so, I believe will help ambitious and driven writers to further their growth as sports journalists,” Wiederer said. “That growth, above all else, is what I think the priority of an APSE writers wing would be.”
It’s a good move. Highly recommended. I’m looking forward to becoming a member.