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New schedule affects more than stories

At the time of writing this column this week, we are 14 days into our new printing schedule. In the past, we printed at around 11 a.m., which meant that you the reader received your finished product around 5 p.m. once delivered. Now, we print at about 1 a.m., which means you the reader can get your paper delivered by late morning. This is both a blessing and a curse. First off, I am getting more sleep, which does not affect you, but makes me happier because I awaken feeling more refreshed. Second, I think a schedule of covering a game, getting back to the office to write the story, ...

There was only one Mr. Norm

The Copper Country lost an original sports figure recently with the passing of Norm Koski. Koski, better known to his many fans as Mr. Norm, covered sports on the radio for the better part of six decades. The Calumet native came on to the local sports broadcasting scene almost by accident. In a feature I did on him a few years ago, he said that a local station was looking to get somebody to cover a few games. “One of my early assignments was to cover the 1964 state championship basketball game between Baraga and Britton-Macon in East Lansing,” he recalled. “It turned out to ...

Even good coaches must rebuild

The late Ed Helakoski is still regarded as one of the very best basketball coaches the Upper Peninsula has ever produced. But I can recall a comment the former Chassell High School legend once made after being asked by a reporter what his secret was to winning (three state titles and a 65-game win streak). “I've been lucky to have had good players,” Helakoski said. “Without the horses, you won't win the race.” That is still the case. Take Julie Filpus at Houghton High. One of the most successful coaches in Michigan girls basketball history with a 84 percent win-loss ...

Long term contracts don’t work

One would think that owners of professional sports franchises would learn that handing out long-term contracts to players seldom works out. Take the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Tigers as good examples of money thrown away. The Vikings, with hopes of getting to the Super Bowl they missed out on last season, threw big bucks away to sign quarterback Kirk Cousins away from the Washington Redskins. It turned out that Cousins was little better than the guy they had last year. In fact, Case Keenum, now with Denver, may have been the superior of the two players. The Vikings, who have a ...

Resolutions needed in Detroit

With a new year approaching, it's time for everyone to come up with resolutions for 2019. The same is true in Detroit, where all four of the city's pro franchises are more or less muddling around. Red Wings: The Red Wings, tabbed by most experts  to be in the basement this season, are holding up well after a miserable start. Coach Jeff Blashill has the team playing consistent ---if not spectacular --- hockey. Indeed, the team is hovering around .500 so far and could qualify for the playoffs this spring. There are solid veterans like Dylan Larkin and Justin Abdelkader around. ...

Why all the fuss about playoffs?

Whenever you pick up a newspaper or listen to a sports report, all the talk is about playoffs. It is the college football playoffs or the National Football League playoffs that dominate the headlines. But when you really think about it, why all the fuss about making the playoffs? Take the Detroit Lions, if you will. When the team was 5-8 this season, there was some inane talk about them making the playoffs by running the table. Remember, this was a team that had already lost to the New York Jets and San Francisco this season, and those two are two or the very worst squads ...