'Fresh set of eyes' shaping sports coverage

COLLEEN McDANIEL, the first-ever female Sports editor of The Pilot, joined the staff about seven months ago. She is a Wisconsin native who began cheering for the Green Bay Packers as a child. The passion for sports she developed as a youngster has shaped most of her working life since she completed Syracuse University's graduate program in journalism.

For the 345,900 adults in South Hampton Roads who read the Sports section in an average week, here's a look at some of the thinking that shapes our sports pages.

How have you influenced the content of The Pilot's sports pages since becoming sports editor, and how has the section changed since your arrival?

I've been here since August, and my role has been more as an observer. I want to see how we cover sports through the seasons before screaming for sweeping change. Being a relative newcomer has its problems, but one of the real advantages is I'm able to look at the section with a fresh set of eyes. My focus naturally is a little more national than perhaps what has been the tradition here. I think I embody the transient Hampton Roads reader.

What, if anything, is different about sports in Hampton Roads that make it unique in comparison to other places where you have lived and worked?

Hampton Roads is a unique market because it's always changing. Folks come and go here, in large part because of the heavy military presence. A lot of people who live here really don't have ties to local sports - area high schools and colleges in particular. Further, the market skews toward the minor leagues with the Norfolk Admirals and the Norfolk Tides. We cover the Washington Redskins as our home team. But for every person who wants to read about the Redskins, there probably are 10 more who have allegiances to other NFL teams. It is a difficult balancing act.

Why is there an emphasis on local sports, particularly high school sports? Is there any downside to putting athletically gifted youngsters under a spotlight?

The driving force behind The Pilot in general is "local, local, local." It is one thing The Pilot, and the sports department in particular, can provide for readers that they can't get anywhere else. Our writers and editors capture the local stories because they have their fingers on the pulse of the areas sports.

Putting gifted young athletes in the spotlight is complicated, though less so than 20, even 10 years ago. Coaches and athletes are very media savvy. Also, there are some darn good kids out there who are fascinating, who do amazing things on and off the field of play. We should put them in the spotlight.

What are the origins of your interest in sports journalism and what sports-related experiences prepared you for this position?

I grew up in Wisconsin, in Packers country. It was natural to be a fan of football, but I also fell in love with other sports. I got started in journalism fresh out of grad school, and I was in the right place at the right time. I was working for a small paper when a job in the sports department opened. Though I had never worked in a sports department, they gave me a shot, and I've been in sports ever since.

The titles, teams and papers have changed through the years, but the essence of my job is the same: Do good work, treat people fairly and enjoy what you do.

Why doesn't The Pilot feature national sports columnists in its pages?

We do occasionally use national columnists. Of course, both Bob [Molinaro] and Tom [Robinson] cover national sports. They have distinct voices and strong opinions. They are very talented and exceptionally plugged in to the sports scene. I would rather read them - two people readers see as the faces of the department - than anonymous national columnists.

On what subjects do you receive recurring feedback and how have you addressed that feedback?

Most often I hear from readers who wonder why we did - or more often did not - cover something. We carefully consider these decisions and how we can best serve the reader. I do wish we could cover everything, but space and manpower are limited. Transparency with readers, many who don't know the inner workings of a newspaper, goes a long way.

How would the presence of a nationally ranked professional sports team in Norfolk - with the deep fan loyalties such teams engender - change the character of The Pilot's sports section?

Obviously, depending on the sport, the addition of a major league team would change the complexion of the paper drastically. Major league sports create a major league landscape.

Joyce Hoffmann, the public editor, is an associate professor in the English Department at Old Dominion University. Reach her at (757) 446-2475 or public.editor@pilotonline.com.