Metro Wire expanding local sports coverage; a long-overdue revitalization for the community
By Craig Marx
When I moved down to Stevens Point from Antigo just a week or so ago, I figured that what was once one of the largest enrollment high schools in the state of Wisconsin would be the eye of every major local news outlet to cover in terms of sports and extracurricular events.
After browsing through a few publications and getting to know the community, I couldn’t believe how neglected the coverage was for these athletes, band members, drama club actors, and every other student who puts forth a passion that deserves to be recognized on top of being a young adult and student.
I recently was hired at the Point/Plover Metro Wire as an assistant editor and staff writer, focusing on the sports desk and special interest features in a community that I’m learning to love already. Originally from Antigo, I worked for the Antigo Daily Journal for nearly three years as a sports writer and eventual staff writer before being offered a head editorial position with the newly-revamped Antigo Times publication across town.
After an unfortunate series of editorial layoffs, this opportunity to work for the Metro Wire emerged in the past few months and has already changed my life.
I’ve always felt that writing was something a person could do judiciously at any given time. It turns out that it’s something that people long for, and quality journalism and recognition of accomplishments by the kids in our community is not only healthy—but needed in terms of growth and positivity.
As we expand the sports and extracurricular coverage at the Metro Wire and continue to provide Portage Co. with locally-centric news, it is both my staff’s and my passion to bring those stories to both your doorstep and social media feed.
It has been an amazing week getting to know members of the community from coaches to athletic directors to police/fire officials.
I spent some time with Mike Blair, athletic director of Stevens Point Area Senior High, recently and he gave me both a tour of SPASH’s facilities as well as all the information one could need for the next few months worth of sports and events reporting.
“We’re excited to have this kind of coverage for these students again,” Blair said, as we toured the facilities, including the addition of the beautiful common leading into the gymnasium/pool complex.
“Sounds like you have some great ideas, and I would appreciate any recognition you can provide the women’s basketball program,”newly-hired Pacelli girls’ basketball coach, Ross Jensen, went on to say about the expanded sports coverage during the meet and greet process these past few weeks.
Beginning this coming week, we will be doing a feature-length article on a particular sport from a different school once a night on a rotating basis, with the feature including high-definition pictures that can be included in the Metro Wire’s weekly print edition as well as online, interviews, play-by-play stories, and in-depth box scores.
As we look to move around the county and feature each co-ed sport over the course of the winter sports season, scores and synopses of every game will be available in a timely matter the morning after each marquee sports night or tournament.
As winter sports season tends to be the busiest time of the year for the sports desk, if someone in attendance of a game or event that we are unable to make it to has any photos or game information available for submission, I would be more than happy to look through the content and publish it with credit to the submitter. My email is [email protected]
As mentioned before, I am looking forward to this more than one could know. It feels incredible already on so many levels—people in Stevens Point and Plover area have been so amazing and kind in my short duration here; public officials and coaches have been nothing but receptive to getting onboard with better, locally-served coverage; and lastly to the student-athletes and kids: they deserve the recognition they should for going above and beyond to play a sport, learn an instrument, sing at solo/ensemble events, or wherever their ambitions lead them.
Thanks for the warm welcome, Portage County.