DATE: Friday, September 12, 1997            TAG: 9709100230

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 17   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: SPORTS EDITOR'S COLUMN 

SOURCE: James C. Black 

                                            LENGTH:   36 lines

WE'RE TEAMING UP ON OUR COVERAGE

Another fall tends to mean another sports editor at the Chesapeake Clipper.

And that's not necessarily a good or bad thing. It just means that James C. Black is now the man responsible for providing the coverage to the sports readers of Chesapeake.

For me, my approach to the Clipper is that of new Great Bridge football coach Noble Palmer - recording victories.

But instead of winning the Southeastern District, I want to win the respect, loyalty and readership of the community.

There's a good chance that I probably won't make every single coach, parent or athlete happy, but I aim to please as many people as possible.

Obviously, I have to continue to do the things that work: writing features, profiles and running scores pertaining to high school, middle school and recreational sports.

But I want to do new things: routinely run college notebooks, monthly columns and Q&As that will further engage the readers. Basically, I want the sports readers of Chesapeake to have a reason to pick up the Clipper other than checking out the ads.

Unlike my predecessors, I will not be working out of Chesapeake. I am also the sports editor of the Suffolk Sun and will use that phone line for my voice mail (934-7557).

We are combining these beats to take advantage of the common sports tie - the Southeastern District - shared by the Chesapeake and Suffolk high schools.

Mainly, I may be reached in Norfolk by phone (446-2366) or fax (533-9004).

Most importantly, any success I have will be a reflection of my relationship with the community. I, ask you, the people of Chesapeake to communicate with me.

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