07-14-2009 12:00 PM

Joint Statement from the USBWA and FWAA on Media Guides

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) support the proposal by the Southeastern Conference which would preserve 208-page printed media guides for football and basketball and eliminate recruiting material and the guides being given to recruits, their parents or coaches.

The two organizations believe there still is a strong need for printed guides in football and basketball after polling membership. The main reasons cited by members were the difficulty of accessing needed information on-line and the inconsistencies with which it is presented by schools, even within the same conference. There also is a fear of Internet failures at events - such as last spring’s Final Four in Detroit - which prevent the access of needed information.

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