[NU Sports] All ND, all the Time

[cherron604 at aol.com]

In a rather embarrasing display, the Sun-Times Sports section has shifted more in the direction of the South Bend Tribune - printing as much ND 'news' as possible - even when there is not much news to print.

Over the last 10 days, from Wed 11/25 to Friday 12/4, including ND's last loss (to Stanford) and Weis' firing, the Sun-Times has put out 23 stories, including several columns by Hayes, Hanley and our old friend Mr O'Donnell.  Today's slate included a non-story that Phil Fullmer would like the job...

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/1920520,CST-SPT-nd04.article

Does anybody really care that Tom Lemming thinks that Phil Fullmer wants it ?  This is news ?

Most telling has been their survey, 'CAST YOUR VOTE  Notre Dame should hire?'.  I voted Monday, about 9am, just to see the results.  767 votes cast, Kelly was in first (197 votes, 25%).  Fitz was in 6th (of 8), with 59 votes (7%).

This morning, the poll was still out there, so I voted again, about 9am.  2111 votes cast, Kelly still in first, 699 votes, 33%.  Fitz was now in 5th (behind Kelly, Dungy, Meyer, Stoops) with 188 votes (8%).  So in 4 days of lobbing 2.3 stories a day at its readers, the Sun-Times managed to cajole an incredible 338 readers per day into expressing their opinion.

Either the ND coach search is less interesting to the paper's readers than to its sports staff, or not too many are availing themselves of the on-line edition.

Interesting also (though I am certain he is far too loyal and smart to ever want the job), Fitz is the highest vote-getter besides the consensus choice, and 3 men who have denied any interest whatsoever.  So has Fitz, to the Tribune, I believe, and so has #6, Kirk Ferentz.

A lot of wasted newsprint for a job that 5 of the top 6 voting candidates have expressed almost zero interst in.

Chuck Herron   Tech '85