#SIDChat Transcript for December 14

Had a good #SIDChat, the final one for 2011.

Discussed a wide range of topics, not really taking much seriously ... I think.

#SIDChat Transcript for Dec. 7

The first #SIDChat of December was a rousing success. OK, that might be overselling it, but it was an excellent time. I mean, 49 participants and nearly 400 comments can't be wrong, can it?

Topics discussed included using an iPad for office work, dress codes, plans over the holidays and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for November 30

After taking the Thanksgiving holiday off, #SIDChat was back in action this week with over 30 participants.

Topics ranged from dealing with coaching vacancies, student-athlete Twitter accounts, best and worst of having a team make the postseason and much, much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for November 16

After taking last week off for some conference tournament fun, #SIDChat was back in affect this week and was hopping as ever. (Not overselling or anything there.)

Had good discussions on selling your school on why to spend money on  your athletics website, the IMG digital programs, dream game destinations and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for November 2

Crossover was kicking up so the crowd was down. Still had a good #SIDChat.

Ran the gambit of topics.

#SIDChat Transcript from October 26

Another week, another great #SIDChat. Not quite awesome because Josh Manck wasn't there, but we survived.

Topics ranged from using datelines, student reporters working in your office, use of social media and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for October 19

Dispute some technical difficulties on my side of things, #SIDChat managed to go off without a hitch thanks to the help of Patrick Walsh at LA Tech.

Topics discussed included sharing post-game info, videos on the web and more.

#SIDChat Transcript for October 12

Had a great discussion on #SIDChat this week.

Talked about handling issues between coaches and media members, game notes, athletes on Twitter and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for October 5

It was a laid-back edition of the #SIDChat this week.

No real earth-shattering topics were covered, but an awesome story about officials was shared. (Thanks Patrick!)

#SIDChat Transcript for September 21

Had another good #SIDChat.

Covered a wide-range a topics despite the smaller crowd. Guess that happens during the sports season.

#SIDChat Transcript for September 14

Had yet another good #SIDChat this week.

Discussed a variety of topics such as whether or not to post a story about a bad/disappointing loss, the first order of business when starting at new school, and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for September 7

Had a pretty full week on #SIDChat.

Lots of interesting topics, especially asking the question: "what is a SID?"

#SIDChat Transcript for August 31

Had another good #SIDChat.

Covered a wide-range of topics including about coaching associations, granting/restricting access to media persons and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for August 24

Had another productive week on #SIDChat.

A wide range of topics were discussed, including Stat Crew Next Gen, Twitter, what's expected from a new employee, what needs to be included in a release and what doesn't, and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for August 17

It was yet another active #SIDChat session this week as 48 people joined in with over a total of 400 comments.

Topics ranged from dress code, how close you get to a team, sending out video as part of the release and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for August 10

Had another great #SIDChat. There were 43 participants with nearly 400 comments.

Topics ranged from job opportunities, Twitter banishment and a whole lot more.

To Ban or Not To Ban? Education is the Answer

Leave it to the Head Ball Coach to cause a stir.

Over the weekend, South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier announced his players were banned from using Twitter, and a firestorm of opinion - from all sides - has ensued.

In an interview on the Dan Patrick Show today (Tuesday), Spurrier said of Twitter, "Nothing good can come of it" when asked about the ban.

That was it.

End of discussion ... as far as Spurrier is concerned.

#SIDChat Transcript for August 3

It started a wee bit later than normal, but the chatter was intense as usual during this week's #SIDChat.

Topics ranged from splash pages, Twitter, Stat Crew, balancing coverage between revenue and non-revenue sports and much, much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for July 27

Another week, another great #SIDChat.

Had a very good, active discussion on collecting player profiles, job search processes, asking for a raise and much, much more.

Some People Just Don't Get It

It never ceases to amaze how people can just bash and/or dismiss something simply because it's new or that they don't understand it.

How can you make an informed opinion if you don't have the facts? Or have experienced it?

Rather, there are some who will make snap judgments about something because ... well, umm ... just because they don't get it.

Dan Shaughnessy is one such person.

#SIDChat Transcript for July 20

Another large crowd for #SIDChat this week.

Had 41 participants with nearly 450 comments this week. Topics discussed were holding SID meetings within a conference, to use AP Style or not to use AP Style, summer hours, what title best fits your office and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for July 13

Had a very good and active crowd join us for #SIDChat this week.

Forty-five participants discussed several topics such as Google +, best way to meet up with the other athletic communicators in your conference, using stat terminals and much more. Nearly 500 comments were registered.

#SIDChat Transcript for July 6

After missing last week due to the 2011 CoSIDA Convention in Marco Island, Fla., #SIDChat returned to its weekly spot and was greeted by nearly 40 participants.

Topics discussed were creating Facebook pages for all of your school's teams, what we liked best at the CoSIDA Convention, our wish list for panels at CoSIDA and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for June 22

Twas the #SIDChat before the CoSIDA Convention, and it was pretty laid back all through the house.

Though much quieter than the previous weeks, the moderated squeaked a lot, much more than a mouse.

Discusses were held, talking about Facebook, Twitter and more.

Banter was light, fun and insightful at times. Needless to say, #SIDChat was no bore.

Just Because It's Yours Doesn't Mean It's Private

We live in a very interesting time. Thanks to the wonders of social media, we can see, hear and know the thoughts of all our 'friends' and they can know ours as well.

Through Facebook and Twitter and whatever other social media tool out there (or will be out there), we can post our innermost thoughts, share our feelings, rant and rave about how crappy our boss or day is, and/or sickening the world with how much we're in love.

We do this all the while thinking, "It's OK. These are my thoughts and feelings. There's nothing anybody can do about it."

Or is there?

#SIDChat Transcript for June 15

Summer time is good for #SIDChat as there were nearly 40 participants and 340 comments.

Topics included how to handle a situation where a new coaching hire backs out, tips for newbies at the CoSIDA Convention and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for June 8

Had another great #SIDChat this week with nearly 30 participants and over 425 comments.

Topics ranged from keeping fans engaged during the summer, the CoSIDA Publication Contests, interview tips and much, much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for June 2

#SIDChat got pushed back a day this week, but it sure didn't seem to matter judging by the turnout!

Had 35 participants and nearly 370 comments in the lively discussion about logos, media guides, CoSIDA Convention and much, much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for May 25

Yet another laid-back edition #SIDChat as we continue to wind down from the hectic spring sports season.

Topics included doing Google and social media searches on potential candidates, obstacles in trying to make the CoSIDA Convention, wish list of things we'd buy if we had money in the budget and much, much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for May 18

After a two-week hiatus, #SIDChat returned in earnest.

Had a good discussion about what we as SIDs do when the spring sports season ends and our summer plans.

#SIDChat Transcript for April 27

Another week, another #SIDChat.

Had a great chat this week with nearly 25 participants.

#SIDChat Transcript for April 20

Another week, another #SIDChat.

Had a good conversation on a wide range of topics.

Cuban's Real Goal: Control the Media

I realize I'm a bit late on this, but hey, I've got a life and a job that keeps me hopping. Yet, I feel this topic is important enough to warrant a response.

Last week, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban went on one of his rants and asked the question: "What's the role of the sports media?" (For one, we're here to fix your grammatical errors like I just did your headline.) I'll admit I'm not a regular reader of Cuban's blog, but I hear this is a relatively short post. Still, he rambled for 1,510 words.

And I thought I could go on and on.

#SIDChat Transcript for April 13

Had a pretty laid back #SIDChat this week as 27 people hopped on board.

Spent some time discussing the death of the flip cam, rankings and much more. And thanks to a couple Kansas City natives, the subject of Oklahoma Joe's came up and our mouths began drooling for some BBQ.

#SIDChat Transcript for April 6

Another weekly session of #SIDChat has come and gone.

Had a good discussion about student-athlete's personal information, the role of sports media and more on being your own media.

#SIDChat Transcript for March 30

Had an excellent group join us for #SIDChat this week with 32 hopping on and over 350 comments.

Topics ranged from budgeting for the CoSIDA Convention to how to handle an opposing team's historic feat in a release to favorite typos.

#SIDChat Transcript for March 23

Great company, great discussion, great time. Yes, it was another installment of #SIDChat.

Spent time talking about media training for coaches and student-athletes, various aspects of social media and hodge-podge of other items.

Dear SIDs, media is catching on to what we're becoming

For those in attendance at the CoSIDA Convention in San Francisco, a lot was made about being "your own media." With the growth of the Internet and social media, it has become very easy and simple for organizations to be their own media.

Our reliance on getting in the local paper is not as strong as it once was. We don't have to get in the local paper for our stories to be seen and heard.

#SIDChat Transcript for March 16

Had a good time on this week's #SIDChat.

Spent a good deal of the team talking about the joys of postseason play, traveling and much more.

Yes Virginia, some coaches, athletes know what integrity is

A couple days again, one of my favorite people in the world - Kelcey Zutavern, the SID at Central Methodist (Mo.), tweeted this story, and I am so thankful she did.

In a week dominated by what seems to be the college athletics scandal du jour, it's refreshing to see a student-athlete and coach try to do what is right and make sure everyone has a level playing field.

#SIDChat Transcript for March 9

Crowd was a little down this week for #SIDChat, but given that we are in the midst of yet another crossover season, it is to be expected.

Topics ran the gamut as we touched a few different things.

Thinking before tweeting: what's the fun in that?

I had been being to write about this for the past couple weeks, but well, the SID life has gotten in the way. And while the story is a two weeks old, I feel it provides an important lesson.

Paul Hagen, who covers baseball for the Daily News in Philadelphia, recently wrote a column entitled, "Careful with that new social media," in which he speaks of how people overreact on the littlest things on the Internet and fan the flames of rumors quickly and rapidly through the wonders of social media.

Oh, what tangled webs we weave when we don't think before we tweet.

#SIDChat Transcript for March 2

It was another baseball edition of the #SIDChat this week. (Translation: I was working a game and trying to keep up :) )

Lots of good dialogue as we discussed a lot of social media issues among other things.

#SIDChat Transcript for February 23

Had another good #SIDChat this week.

Topics discussed included QR codes, Twitter's role in journalism, pre-game and walk-out music and much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for February 17

Had an abbreviated #SIDChat, but it was good nonetheless.

Talked about dealing with game-day help, coaches setting up interviews and much more.

Taking social media to the next level

The times, they are a-changin'.

Bob Dylan's 1963 song never seems so prophetic as it does now, especially in the world of journalism and new media.

In case you didn't hear about this, the University of Miami is trying something new this Friday at the Hurricanes' season-opening baseball game. Miami will be hosting the first-ever Social Media Day.

Customer service goes a long way

First and foremost, let me just say I am not a big fan of the DakStats software. Their stats software has improved over the years and having a national statistics website for the NAIA is great, but I love Stat Crew and their product for in-game stats keeping. As far as stat software products go, Stat Crew is the best in my humble opinion.

That said, one thing DakStats does do extremely well - and better than any other stats software company I have ever dealt with - is how the work and deal with their customers.

#SIDChat Transcript for February 9

WOW!!! Had over 30 readers and nearly 500 comments on this week's #SIDChat.

Topics ranged from how to cover events your school is hosting but not participating in, dealing with illnesses and a variety of topics on social media as well as Dropbox.

#SIDChat Transcript for February 2

Had some newcomers join us on #SIDChat this week, and fun was had by all.

Several topics were discussed including how to best describe what sports information directors do, gaining respect from others in our department and at our school and much, much more.

#SIDChat Transcript for January 26

It's always great to take a break and chat with friends, and that's what this week's #SIDChat was.

A number of topics centered around what stresses SIDs out and how to handle the stress, but a debate arose about where the best BBQ can be found.

Better late than never: My goals for 2011

Yes, this blog post is over three weeks late, but I've been busy dealing with snow, work, kids, school, life and yada, yada, yada. Of course, as a sports information director, life is always busy.

But I wanted to get my goals for the new year written down and posted here to help me 'keep my on the prize' as the old saying goes.

I've got two different sets of goals: a list for my personal/family life and another for my professional world. This is in large part thanks to a question poised to SIDs by Chris Syme on LinkedIn.

#SIDChat Transcript for January 19

Another week of lively discussion on #SIDChat has come and gone.

Spent time talking about a wide array of topics such as dealing with your workload during holidays and/or snow days, what a host school should provide to visiting SIDs, and topics we would like to see discussed at CoSIDA this summer.

#SIDChat Transcript for January 12

Another week, another quality #SIDChat.

Had a good discussion talking about video, handling 'assigned' duties, resumes and more.

#SIDChat Transcript for January 5

The new year saw the return of #SIDChat, and a large crowd made it a great one.

We had 39 different people to log in at some point during the chat and up to 25 on at one time.

Topics discussed included goals for the new year, what changes to the profession might come in 2011 and much, much more.