I'm not surprised, but I confirmed that NU's practices will be closed to the media this year. They will open a few practices, and they will allow some media members to attend by specific request, but even then there will be no reporting allowed. Two Kenosha practices will be open -- on Monday and Saturday (the scrimmage) -- but reports will not be allowed.
This is a continuation of the policy NU implemented for spring practice this year. While it's much, much less access than we've gotten in the past, it is much more in line with media policies at other Big Ten schools.
What does that mean for WR? Obviously, there will be no practice reports whatsoever. We will still be able to write features on coaches and players, etc., but the days of stories on who did what at practice are over.
I'm disappointed, of course, but not surprised in the least. In fact, I would have been more surprised if NU went back to their previously liberal policies. From NU's perspective, there really is no upside to allowing media to report on practice -- okay, maybe you could argue that it increases interest in the program slightly. But in their eyes the potential downside -- whether disclosing too much information on game planning, reporting on injuries, etc.-- is far greater. It's sort of sad, but I get it.
This is a continuation of the policy NU implemented for spring practice this year. While it's much, much less access than we've gotten in the past, it is much more in line with media policies at other Big Ten schools.
What does that mean for WR? Obviously, there will be no practice reports whatsoever. We will still be able to write features on coaches and players, etc., but the days of stories on who did what at practice are over.
I'm disappointed, of course, but not surprised in the least. In fact, I would have been more surprised if NU went back to their previously liberal policies. From NU's perspective, there really is no upside to allowing media to report on practice -- okay, maybe you could argue that it increases interest in the program slightly. But in their eyes the potential downside -- whether disclosing too much information on game planning, reporting on injuries, etc.-- is far greater. It's sort of sad, but I get it.
