HELLO: Thought I'd give a little introduction
I was waiting for my picture to appear, but this is probably as good an opportunity to introduce myself as I'll ever have before we go full boar into the prep season.
I began my professional career as a radio/TV sportscaster/reporter/play-by-play announcer and covered all of the LA pro teams for over 12 seasons. I worked in the same capacity in Chicago, Dallas and Seattle as well spanning another four years.
When the last team I worked fulltime for (in Phoenix) as a broadcaster/media relations director went belly up, I got an opportunity to write for an LA-Area paper covering mainly preps for over 5 1/2 years before starting with the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group.
I was elated when I was moved over from the Tribune desk to Pasadena to work with Fred in January. Now I'm excited to be in charge of the prep scene after he moved back over to the other side of the 605.
And since Fred mentioned that he is an Edgewood grad, I'll add that I'm a West Covina grad. Now there was a good rivalry in the past. Now he and I can be rivals at our respective papers.
Prep sports is something I enjoy covering and I enjoy all sports. So expect to see more sports on the blog, including volleyball, soccer, etc.
All I ask is that we keep the blog clean and fun. It got a little out of whack during baseball season.
Thanks, and I look forward to carrying the torch left behind by Fred.
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About this blog
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
High quality info here! Keep up the great work. I love the feelings being expressed.
I/we track aficionados do appreciate the scores being published for dual/tri/cluster meets and I'm not suggesting that all dual meets have a reporter as football and basketball seem to have. But if the Star-News would highlight 1 meet per wk. with extended coverage it would go a long way to gaining attention for the sport and increasing the knowledge base of the casual fans regarding excellent athletes that don't attend Muir. It seems as though water polo, volleyball and other so called minor sports get better coverage in that regard.
It seems as though 'big meets' in the Star-News estimation always only involve Muir. They aren't necessarily all there is in WSGV t & f presently.
...and do you plan on maintaining the ranking for t & f as the season progresses?
...and yes the Star-News did a commendable job in covering meets such as the Pasadena Games, Arcadia and Mt. SAC.
PS: Not hating on Muir, they deserve there respect based on there history of excellence, but just trying to get attention for other programs and athletes.
trkcoach53, we did cover every major track meet this past season. Dual meets are something that we get results in, but can't necessarily always get out to. And no problem on the name. I've been called a lot worse.
Link to participation rates http://www.dyestatcal.com/news/xc2007/August/05%20CIF%20Growth%20Survey.htmsurvey:
Just in case anyone is interested in stats.
I just noticed that your name is Galetti, sorry about the mistake.
Mr Galenti,
First I'd like to welcome you to the Star-News coverage area. The rivalries are very intense here, no matter what the sport.
I would like to add that it seems as though track and field didn't or doesn't receive as extensive coverage as basketball, soccer and football. I believe that track and field should be equal in coverage as per participation rates it is the #2 sport for both boys and girls in the state of CA. Soccer gets better coverage then track and it is #1 for girls and #3 for boys. What I would like to see is greater coverage of the regular season in track, highlight key area dual/tri or cluster meets. Maybe have a meet of the week with a reporter assigned to write a story accompanying the results of meets for that week highlighting that meet. The coverage offered in recent yrs. is much better then it used to be but still leaves a lot to be desired.
Thank you and good luck.
I look forward to meeting you on the sidelines at the TC Games. Are you taller than Fred? (running joke)
Are you calling Freddie's posts vanilla? I don't see that at all. Freddie taught me a lot. But thanks for the kind words.
Welcome Scott - While I enjoyed Fred - I look forward to your coverage - let's just hope that you give the same "press time" to the private schools as you do to the public - Fred came along nicely as the Football season wore on...
Welcome Scott. Do your thing. You do not have big shoes to fill. Maybe they will enjoy your predecessor's wishy washy vanilla kiss up style at the Tribune. Personally I am pleased I do not have to read his bland coverage of local prep sports. I would rather read what you want write, rather than what coaches and administrators ask you to write to promote their team or ther players Looking forward to your blog.Best of Luck.
Scott,
Welcome to StarNews prep sports blog. Looking forward to some rational discussions regarding HS sports.
DAWG
Welcome
We look forward to the fast paced posts and the ever opinionated comments.
Seems like you are on top of things. I am looking forward to a great 2007 football season. Hope to meet you sometime.
Glad to have you aboard, Scott. You have big shoes to fill...but if you wield a fast, fair saber, this blog will remain as the class of LA.