NCAAbbs

I'm just curious how the local media covers sports in other A-Sun towns:

Here, our paper does a decent job, but the TV station is not covering Mercer as much as they cover out of town schools.

http://www.wmaz.com (local TV website) http://www.macon.com (paper website)

I sent the following to the TV station:

One thing that really bothers me is how Georgia and Georgia Tech have their own section on your website’s sports page while Mercer is lumped in with GC&SU and FVSU under the heading “College.” FVSU and GC&SU are both Division II schools and both are approximately 35 miles away while Mercer is a Division I school located here in Macon. Even the Macon Telegraph gives Mercer their own section on their website’s sports page. There are plenty of sports to cover at Mercer, but I don’t believe you can depend on Bob Pope to report the news to you. Please try this website, they are always posting stories: http://www.mercerbears.com/. In fact, there are two stories on http://www.mercerbears.com about Mercer baseball players being drafted that I have not yet noticed on your website.

D-I AAA schools typically get little news coverage. The reach is not always deemed worthy of the investment of reporters.

E-Mail Exchange Between Myself and Mercer's PR Person

Mr. ------,

Thank you very much for your support, concerns and most especially your
e-mails to the media. We can talk with the media until we are "blue in the
face" but when editors, etc. hear from readers and listeners it tends to get
their attention. Mike Lough of the Telegraph does a good job for us and in
defense of WMAZ, they, like many businesses, are suffering from some
personnel cutbacks.

We are always looking to increase our presence, especially in the local
community and we truly appreciate concerned and supportive alumni and fans.

Sincerely,
Randy


To: JONES_P@Mercer.edu
Subject: Mercer in the News?

Mr. Jones,

My name is C------- G------- and I am a Mercer Alumni and citizen of the
Macon Community. I am concerned with the lack of the attention Mercer
University receives in the local community and the local media. I have
e-mailed various members of the local media including Frank Malloy
(fmalloy@wmaz.gannett.com), Benard O'Donnel (bodonnell@wmaz.gannett.com),
and Daniel Shirley with the Telegraph. While I believe the Telegraph does a
decent job, WMAZ's coverage is absolutely horrible.

It seems to me that the local media would serve itself better if Mercer was
given more positive attention. Mercer is the fourth largest employer in Bibb
County; I wonder what kind of shape Macon and WMAZ would be in without
Mercer.

If there is any way I can assist in this matter, please feel free to contact
me.

Warm regards,

C--- G---