Bob Lutz

I'm so glad that Bob Lutz was able to come speak to our class last Thursday. He is far more hilarious in person than I thought he would be, and he seemed like he enjoyed being there.

As far as the journalism business is concerned, Lutz didn't say much. I didn't feel like he really had to, though. He was simply being honest. He doesn't know how online journalism will work financially, and that's fine. I don't know, either. I'd be shocked if anyone really knows. I also think it may have bothered some people that he didn't really care where journalism was headed. He's been in the business for awhile; so maybe he thinks if things change, he'll just ride off into the sunset.

The basketball coach in me loved hearing about the back-and-forth between Lutz and Coach Marshall. I think Marshall often treats the media like dirt and believes that writers should serve his purposes. I liked what Lutz said about how he can't be a fan, but it's better when the team wins. I think coaches don't realize it, but wins sell newspapers. Losses, if they are constant, don't do a beat writer any good.

I like his views on column writing and television, too. I like the fact that he doesn't buy into putting sports columnists on TV. Those guys are gifted with the written word, rarely the spoken (and broadcast) word. They should accept that and stick to their guns.

Overall, I'm very glad Lutz came and loved what he had to say. His stuff is fun to read, and he's a heck of a personality face to face.