It's not fascism when they do it...
February 9, 2008

Gather around kids. This is the story of how I almost got kicked out of a high school basketball game for doing my job.

There's a jackboot dilemma (look that one up) at the new Martins Ferry High School. From what I've heard, it's noticeable by many who visit the recently-opened learning center. I know it's new and security is tight, but give a little respect for your visitors. You get an A on how everything looks, but an F for hospitality.

So here's this situation: I'm covering the OVAC AAA game between Magnolia and Martins Ferry because the usual sports writer for the Wetzel Chronicle was busy. Being the sports reporter for the sister company, the Tyler Star News, I filled in. Keep in mind we're both Ogden Newspapers. After all, I don't get many chances to check out my alma mater in cager action.

So I travel up to Martins Ferry. I'm impressed by the look of the school. It's state of the art, no doubt about it. That's about all the positives I could figure out though.

During the game, I'm at the opposite end of Magnolia's bench in the first half so I can get some offensive shots. The first half comes and goes without a problem. The game is tied 22-22, not that it matters. I'm just stating.

Then the third quarter is about to start and I start going along the baseline on the other side of the Blue Eagle cheerleaders. Then I'm stopped by a bald guy who appears to be a teacher (definitely an authority figure of some sort). He says I can't go that way and that I have to go around. I tell him with the news. He tells me that he doesn't care who I'm with and that I have to go around or be escorted out of the school in an overpowering authoritative voice. I ask him if he's serious. It probably wasn't the best move on my part, but it was more of a rhetorical question. He didn't take it in such a way and replied with, "As a heart attack." So as a result, I go out and around to the other side. It's not too much of a problem, but for the shots I wanted, it was an annoyance. I was pretty mad. Aside from that, I could here one of his buddies laughing saying, "I love when you're like that!" What a shame.

I was even more perturbed when a WTOV photog came in with his video camera not even five minutes after and doing exactly what I was told not to do. Then here comes a couple of guys from the crowd, apparently for and from Martins Ferry and people that know the camera man, to visit with him during a time out. Another guy comes and takes a few pictures. Fantastic.

The game goes by. Martins Ferry wins. Magnolia couldn't hit their shots. That's fine as well. I'm not upset that they lost. It's part of the game. I go back to the opposite side of the court to wait on the coach so I can interview him. I know it'll be a while, so I question the guy that was so strict with me why Channel 9 was allowed on the baseline and I was not. He told me he didn't see him and that he was filming. I replied saying that I was just trying to get some pictures. He said again that he didn't see him. I got in the last word by saying, "Okay. I'm just trying to keep you true." It was a sarcastic tone, one that he could tell that I knew he was lying. He didn't look too pleased either.

Seriously, how could he know someone was filming if he didn't see him? I know I mentioned it was Channel 9, but he didn't seem surprised in the "Oh... they're here?" sense. What makes him better than me? It's not like I was going to harm the floor. There were cheerleaders there. The photog's shoes and the shoes of the other people that talked to him would have "damaged" it more than mine (And1 brand, a BASKETBALL company). On another note, I know of Channel 9's importance. I'm not stupid. However I do work a full-time job for the Ogden Newspapers. If Wheeling calls and asks if I have any pictures of the game, guess who has to fork them over? It's not like I'm doing this for the yearbook.

As if that weren't enough, everyone there was in such a rush to get everyone out of the gymnasium, they kicked out the cheerleaders to the hallway where they had to sit on the floor or stand! It was taking the team so long to get ready as well. When I finally figured out where the basketball team and coach were, the cheerleaders went to sit on the bus. I asked what questions I could and everyone left.

I did sort of find it funny their CAD room with their brand new computers (not as nice as West Liberty's) was unlocked because of this: when a student is late arriving at school, someone has to let him or her in because all the doors are locked. Or so the rumor goes.

On a much lighter note, I also was faced with a bit of opposition at Doddridge County. It was comical at first, but insulting at the end of the night. There was this old lady, the mother of one of the seniors, who a few people liked to fired up. She was walking off the court and a couple of men told her to hurry up. She snarled and said, "What the fuck's it to ya?" and kept walking. I laughed. Again I was trying to get a picture. Something was said to me about her and she said she'd beat my ass, and the guys that were heckling her before thought the same thing. Heh. Sure. I may not be the strongest guy in the world, but something tells me a blunt shot to the head after she'd get a few shots in on me would hurt her enough to file suit against me, even if she instigated the whole episode. However, this is hypothetical.

In all sincerity though, am I the guy who tries to break the rules just for the sake of breaking them? Do I intentionally try to cross the line, no pun intended? No. I've been on nice floors before, brand new even (coughWilliamstowncough), and I didn't get that kind of treatment. I've been on the Civic Center basketball floor in Charleston for games and mid-court for presentations videotaping. I've been in the dugouts with people currently in the Major Leagues. I guess Mr. Kosar just likes to shove his weight (authority) around. It sort of reminds me of the blog I had a while back about which came first, the man or the monkey. Look it up. I think it will interest you. Supposedly the monkey doesn't vote.

Moment of the day: This whole blog was based on it.
Song of the day: "Jackbook Dilemma" - Black Casper. I think I'll make it my profile song a little bit.
Link: http://www.myspace.com/blackcasper

The "Jackboot of Oppression" is sometimes referred to as the policy of zealous computer network administrators who lock down their systems tightly,
Logan