Dear Editor:
One of the reasons I subscribe to The Dispatch, besides the fact
that I’ve written a weekly garden column in it for the past 19
years, is for the local sports coverage.
Dear Editor:
One of the reasons I subscribe to The Dispatch, besides the fact that I’ve written a weekly garden column in it for the past 19 years, is for the local sports coverage. However, there are several issues regarding your sports coverage that I would like to comment on.
First, Monday’s paper had a 35-inch story on the Gilroy High School girl’s varsity going 1-2 in the Lady Mustang Classic. Yet, there wasn’t one word written about the fact that the junior varsity team won the entire tournament! Unfortunately, this slight upon JV and freshman teams is the norm rather than the exception. There are sports teams at Gilroy High besides the varsity, but one wouldn’t know it by reading The Dispatch. Few readers would expect major stories on these sub-varsity teams, but a mention now and then (especially when they do especially well) would seem fair and appropriate.
Second, is the common use of coach’s photos in the paper. Gavilan football coach John Lango and Gilroy High golf coach Eric Kuwada must have had their head-and-shoulder shots on your sports pages a half dozen times apiece during the season. And being a friend of Eric’s, I must say I was getting tired of seeing his ugly mug! Could you please have your sports department take individual photos of the top players in each sport to have on file when they play well? The coaches would be the first to tell you they would prefer to see their players’ photos in the paper.
Lastly, is your sports department use of the word “their” rather than “they’re.” It has repeatedly been used incorrectly not only in stories, but also drop quotes and sub-heads. When you want to say “they are,” spell it “they’re” and not use the possessive “their.”
Thank you for allowing me to get these topics off my chest. These aren’t earth-shattering issues, but – in particular – I’ll bet dozens of young athletes would love to be recognized for doing well in sports before they reach the varsity level.
Keith Muraoka, Gilroy
Submitted Tuesday, Dec. 9 to ed****@ga****.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: Scott Forstner, our “sports department,” does a yeoman’s job. He cannot cover all the games. All coaches are welcome to e-mail results to sp****@gi************.com.
