The Dallas Morning News

[ALEX LIFESON]

We have had many comments in the past about coverage, and lack thereof from the DMN. Let me give a recent one. Last week, when SMU signed Paul McCoy, I waited to see a nice write-up from the DMN. Finally, after nearly a week and no story, I started my phone bombing of the DMN! After speaking with 4 or 5 folks associated with high school recruiting, including some guy named Cameron, and the college sports editor Keith Campbell, we finally get a mention the next day. (squeaky wheel gets the grease)
Though, I was disappointed they didn't mention he chose us over Virginia and Kentucky. I was told by the DMN staff members that, "they didn't know anything about it". I called a member of SMU's Sports Information office, and he said " that was a lie, because the DMN staff members were ALL sent press releases on the story, to make sure to capitalize on the POSITIVE exposure" Matt Doherty told me, he sent the DMN an email the very day Paul McCoy signed with us! On to today's version......the DMN gets word of Jarred DuBois wanting to be released for family reasons, and BAM! there it is, the very next day! Once again, if it is possible negative news, SMU has no problem getting a quick responce from the DMN.

[Special_Delivery_Smu_Fans]

Doesn't the DALLAS Morning News know SMU
is the only Division I athletic program in DALLAS?

[BIGHORSE]

Yeah, they stink alright, but maybe they will have to

give us better coverage once we start winning.

[jimhagle]

SMU athletics have been an after thought to the News forever. If you don't win you don't get in or so they think.

[Pony4Life]

Let's be honest - the coverage won't increase that much when we start winning, either.

The DMN's objective is NOT to report news - it's to sell newspapers. UT could go 0-12 and the damn Horns still will get more ink, because they have more paper-buying alums in Dallas. It's not even that the DMN higher-ups think UT is somehow more important than SMU ... it's just a matter of selling papers. That's not even a slam against the DMN wonks, either it's that way at every paper.

[Pony_Fan]

If I recall, the Cedric Benson story was on the front page of the DMN side section. I could care less but thought that was odd - he's been long gone and it was a DUI while boating. Not really front page news...

[RushStPony]

It's called supply and demand.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

It's called BS when the local newspaper can't run even a small story(until prompted)
about a top basketball recruit choosing SMU who was considering Virginia and Kentucky.

[ALEX LIFESON]

I think some of you are missing my point. I'm not complaining about LACK of coverage, i'm talking about selective coverage. When there is something POSITIVE to print, it is either buried, or you almost have to pull a gun on the DMN to print it. But, if it has a NEGATIVE slant to it, there seems to be no problem in rushing to print that story.

[mr. pony]

The Dallas Morning News: "What just happened in Austin."

Way to go, Lifeson. Keep after them.

[Pony81]

I agree that DMN's job is to sell papers and the big alumni groups will always get more press:
UT
A&M
Tech
OU
Another truism in journalism is that bad news sells. No one wants to hear about a far away top recruit that no local has heard of. But everyone wants to see something negative or salacious about the local "rich kid" university.

We will get more press when we start winning and the DMN perceives more local interest in the athletic program.

[mr. pony]

Perceive THIS, DMN.

[Bergermeister]

Doesn't the DALLAS Morning News know SMU

A long time ago they did.... the sports page was saturated with SMU coverage, SMU photos, interesting features and interesting game reports - and the columnists could be humorous, informative, creative and genuine journalists. Evidently, the "reading public" today wants the sports police blotter, controversy, and stories to quote any talking head who can say something bizarre enough to qualify print. Hard to explain to younguns who never knew Dallas without the Cowboys, Stars, Mavericks, Rangers, FC Dallas, Desperados, Roughriders, Air Hogs or even SMU as a member of the SWC. Texas is the state university and is, understandably, going to get mucho press - A&M has really never been all that good in anything - lots of former students, but not much to hang their hat on in the way of athletics - not for the amount of hype they now get. That's why I read the Star-Telegram - they never quit supporting their Div. 1 team --- and I get my SMU info from The Daily Campus, ponyfans, and the athletic website.

[RGV Pony]

Doesn't the DALLAS Morning News know SMU

A long time ago they did.... the sports page was saturated with SMU coverage, SMU photos, interesting features and interesting game reports - and the columnists could be humorous, informative, creative and genuine journalists. Evidently, the "reading public" today wants the sports police blotter, controversy, and stories to quote any talking head who can say something bizarre enough to qualify print. Hard to explain to younguns who never knew Dallas without the Cowboys, Stars, Mavericks, Rangers, FC Dallas, Desperados, Roughriders, Air Hogs or even SMU as a member of the SWC. Texas is the state university and is, understandably, going to get mucho press - A&M has really never been all that good in anything - lots of former students, but not much to hang their hat on in the way of athletics - not for the amount of hype they now get. That's why I read the Star-Telegram - they never quit supporting their Div. 1 team --- and I get my SMU info from The Daily Campus, ponyfans, and the athletic website.

strange, but I remember Bobby Collins complaining that SMU got more coverage in the NY Times than in their hometown newspaper.

[mr. pony]

Good point.