April Capochino, AS 2000, Review 97-2000 city editor, editorial editor (acapochino@hotmail.com):

After graduating in 2000, I got a job along with Bederks, Dawn and Mike at the Cecil Whig. Fabulous. Only 15 minutes from Newark and it's like entering a whole new world.... I covered cops, education and courts and landed a free trip to Italy to tag along on a pilgrimmage. (This was Nov. 2001 and my editor's wife wouldn't let him fly.) Almost two years later, I went back home to New York and worked at the Times Herald-Record, a a large tabloid about an hour north of the city where I covered education and lots and lots of post 9/11 woes, including two firefighter funerals. I was there for a little over a year but it wasn't all sad. One of my last assignments was interviewing a woman who books all the entertainment for Conan O'Brien. That was awesome. He was awesome. He's as laid back and nice as he is on TV. But all of that's over for now. I left journalism about a month ago and moved to Baton Rouge, LA to shack up. I work an 8-5 job for a private company that tracks mental health data for the state. Sound exciting? Yeah, it's not. I'm bored, but the people are awesome, the money is good and the hours are flexible enough where I can go back to school in the fall for my masters. While it's completely different from living in New York, I really like it. And I'm learning the culture of the deep, deep south. Like, cockroaches and geckos are welcome pets in your home. If you're mad down here, you have "the red ass." And drinking while driving is somewhat acceptable as long as you have an empty beer bottle to spit your dip into. So if ya'll ever find yourself fixin' to visit (I learned too that you can fix to do a lot of things, fixin' to leave, fixin' to fix me a cup of coffee, fixin' to get some lunch, you get the point...), e-mail me. I'm an hour from New Orleans.

 

From Andrea Galante (now Solan) AS93 (a_solan@yahoo.com):

It's great to see (at least a couple) familiar names. I was on staff for a couple years--as Student Affairs editor in the spring of 92 and as Managing Editor of Section 2 in 92 & 93. I have to say none of my post-college jobs have been as much fun as working for The Review; but then I guess subsisting on a meager stipend and 7:00 am food from the Scrounge makes you kind of loopy & more likely to enjoy staying up all night with people like Greg Orlando & Jeff Pearlman.

Anyway ... after graduating in 93 I misguidedly pursued a legal career, clerking for a small firm before entering law school in 1995. I graduated in 97, took the Maryland bar exam, then promptly moved to Virginia where the Maryland bar got me nowhere.

After a horrible two-year stint fighting with insurance companies on behalf of hospitals, I returned to a slightly more journalistic position. I ended up working in the publications department of a legal association in Washington DC, where I wrote for and edited their monthly legal publications. In November2000 I quit to become a full-time parent but have continued to freelance for a couple legal associationsin DC. I've just recently toyed with the idea of freelancing for some local newspapers because I really miss creative writing ... the stuff I'm writing for the legal pubs is almost something I could do in my sleep (which I often do as I had two babies in less than two years).

I now live outside Baltimore MD. I'd love to hear from people, my email is a_solan@yahoo.com.



From Ben Penserga:

Hey all,
 
I’ve been asked to pimp for my newspaper, the Daily Times.

 Here’s the ad: The Daily Times, a 30,000-circulation AM daily on Maryland's Eastern Shore, is seeking a reporter to cover Ocean City and northern Worcester County, Md. The position is based in our Ocean City bureau. The ideal candidate is a reporter capable of filing daily hits, as well as crafting in-depth stories on the issues affecting our rapidly growing area. Candidates should e-mail a resume and cover letter to Greg Bassett, executive editor, at GBassett@gannett.com. Clips and tearsheets should be sent to 115 E. Carroll St.,Salisbury, Md. 21801.

My two cents? Salary is somewhere between $20-$25,000. It’s a good paper to learn the craft and then move on. The higher-ups are big on UD people. E-mail Greg Bassett for more details. I should be in Newark on Saturday for the networking thing, so if you have questions about working there or want me to drop off your stuff, let me know (of course, there will be a $75 handling fee.)

B

benpenserga@hotmail.com
Review 99’-00’

OK, so while there won't be a Review Alumni Networking/Mentoring Web site, there will be a mailing list which Shaun has set up. To join the list check out http://pressbin.com/reviewalumni and you're on your way.

From Derek Harper:

Howdy ya'll:

I thought I would pass on a job tip for those who are looking. The Press of Atlantic City is looking for a person with about a year or so of daily work to fill a vacancy in the Ocean County office. The three-reporter bureau forthe 6,000-copy edition covers the southern end of Ocean County. I was there last year -- its basically reporting from the shore and a bunch of smalltowns in the pines, but with the opportunity for front page stuff whenever something large breaks in the county. Which was somewhat often, I found.

Send resumes to Maryjane Briant, Managing Editor, at MBriant@pressofac.com.

Salary is around $30,000.

Good luck
Derek Harper (AS 96)

From Jimmy Miller:
Ah, Review alumni discussions. It's worse than The Review Real World, Cormypants. It's a true family reunion, complete with infighting and old, oozing wounds.

I think a lot of folks are overlooking something in this Dennis Jackson war: Harris Ross. The dude remains to this day the best prof I ever had. He was always there when I needed help at The Review, or when I needed advice on any other topic. Sure, he's a bit removed from being in game shape as far as journalism goes, but you don't learn this craft in a classroom. The classroom is for learning the lingo and the absolute basics. You get the rest from doing it. I dunno about yous, but Ross gave me all the basics I needed to get started, and he's still a great friend. The department is not left with nothing, as Sue Stock would have some of you believe. It's still got Harris Ross.

As for Jackson, I never had a big problem with him. I did, however, avoid him sometimes because he was so out of touch. When I was the editor of The Review, I pulled two all nighters a week for a semester. Jackson wanted to keep me out all day one Saturday after breakfast with ... what's his name? That former Gulf War dude who went on to the Asbury Park Press? Anyway, the thing Jackson never understood was that I appreciated the chance to meet his favorite alumni, but that I needed sleep, not a day with the good old boys.

I think Jackson's intentions were good. He wanted to encourage us, to show us that people who once walked in our shoes were out there DOING the job. But I think his intentions often became irrelevant to people like me, Lewis, Pearlman. He wasn't able to pick up on what we needed and provide it (well, Pearlman he just didn't like). If he would only listen more and talk less ...

(A part of me can't believe I'm rehashing all this stuff seven years later.)

Which brings me to ... what the department needs. A younger prof who is not so far removed, or not at all removed, from actual field work would be great. Whatever happened to McKay Jenkins? I thought he was going to be that prof, but my understanding is he's into studying social problems in third-world countries or some other irrelevant topic.

In any case, a Review alum mentor network is a great idea. It could be hard, however. What if we accidentally pair young Jacksonites up with bitter anti-Jacksonians? The repercussions would be devastating ...

Seriously, I'll buy and read the Chuck Stone book. But anxiously anticipating it? Not a chance, Mr. Smith.

-Jimmy P. Miller

From Peter Bothum:
Wesley Willis dead at the age of 40.
 
He touched my soul, as well as the hearts of many Review types.
 
He also whipped me like a donkey's ass.
 
RIP, Wesley.

From Brian Hickey:
I was at the Review in '93 and '94. Who is Jason Smith?

From: Jason Smith

I find all of this to be character assasination of one of the best professors I've ever had. Dennis Jackson is a kind, warm-hearted, decent man who only wanted to best for Delaware students and The Review. If he was hard on Pearlman, it was only because the paper was lacking.

As for Glenn Slavin, I don't remember you. But I resent your tone, and your attack on Dr. Jackson. Like many of us, I anxiously await his book on Chuck Stone. I'm sure it will be wonderful. He deserves our respect and support.

By the way, does anyone know what ever happened to Pat Ryan?

From Glenn Slavin:

Howard Johnson is right!!!

I admit, I was very happy to hear Professor Jackson is no longer part of the journalism program. Jackson was self-important with, as Pearlman rightly indicated, nothing to back it up. Who did this guy think he was, Norman Mailer? David Halberstam? Paul Krugman?

I pursued a career in journalism in spite of Jackson. His favoritism went beyond inappropriate. The only thing worse than Jackson's imperious attitude were his journalism skills, which, near as I could tell, were nonexistent after 1971 and somehow only involved D.H. Lawrence. At best, Jackson was an SOB. At worst, he was a bitter failure. It wasn't just that he had favorites. He made it a habit to inexplicably knock down more than one aspiring writer, unforgivable for a professor.

It doesn't matter anyway. The cornerstone of UD's journalism program was The Review (I hope it still is). There was very little I learned in class that prepared me for much--but it seems I'm still using skills I picked up night after night at the Review (including trying to leave early before the barsclose).The paper will be better off with input from professors who have actually published during the Clinton administration and beyond.

Jason Smith, ultra-conservative from back in the H.A. days, if you could change your tune politically, you should also reconsider your thoughts on Pearlman as EIC. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

To whomever is organizing a workshop or mentoring program, please count me in.

Glenn Slavin
AS 94

From Ryan Cormier: Bitching about squabbles with professors from 10 years ago. Wow, this is like The Review Real World. Who drank the last of my OJ? I'm gonna slap that bitch!

Aside from the Dr. J stuff, I agree with Pearlman. A younger journalist in the mold of Spiker would fit perfectly. But finding someone like that who would dedicate the amount of time it takes to run the program and deal with The Review might be tough. I'm glad it's not my job. By the way, whose job is it?


From Eric Townsend: A few weeks ago, an inaccurate post stated the UD journalism program is down to two sections of ENGL307. It's not. According to the university Web site, there are currently five sections of 307 being offered this fall -- including a continuing ed course that still has eight open seats, and an Honors section, which (to my knowledge) hasn't been offered recently. All sections minus continuing ed are filled. Is the UD journalism program in danger of collapse? Nah. Will it see change now that Dr. Jackson is no longer director? Perhaps. But let's give the other guys a chance to lead the department before passing judgment. At the end of the day, they too care about their students.

Eric J.S. Townsend
Editor in Chief -- 2000/2001

From Jason Smith:I don't know who Christopher Yasiejko is, but I agree with him that Dennis Jackson was the best thing to ever happen to the Delaware journalism program. I remember many of his lectures well, and found them very inspiring. He made me want to be a journalist.

I worked for Pearlman when he was editor, and while he probably wasn't the worst ever, he did kind of stink. At best, he was vastly overrated. I don't think Jackson should be punnished for telling the truth. And so what if he plays favorites? What teacher doesn't?

Also, Mike Lewis should take a chill pill. Knowing Dr. Jackson, there's no way he treated a student that way. Impossible.

Jason P. Smith
Review '93 & '94

From Jess Zacholl (AS’00) Former EnterTAINTment editor and, of course, Social Chair (jzacholl@hotmail.com):

Damn, Golden Boy, tell us how you really feel! And I don’t know him, but go Jeff Pearlman for bringing in some controversy. Apparently, I either got very lucky or really missed out (depending on who you ask) by never having Dr. Jackson, b/c there is some love AND venom coming out full force! I’m all about Dr. Ross and Prof. Leitch. Though I did have them for film, so not really the same topic. But I digress… Anyway, let’s all make sure we thank Karen for putting this site together, ’cause we all know that no one else was gonna do it. And Shaun, nice job on planning the networking thing – very proactive of you! All of you who haven’t written yet, get up off your asses and do it. Yes, Kespo, that means you.

So I live out here in LaLa Land. It’s freakishly sunny every single day. I think Chrissi filled you all in on my life, though she wasn’t sure if it was a surfing movie or porn I was in. I thought I would clear that up – it was porn. A fine Seymore Butts film. Also, I work at a PR firm, where we represent actors and musicians for personal publicity. Sometimes there is just such stiff competition in my industry, I have to hold down a second job…

Oh, and I’m becoming a carney. You know, circus folk. I’ve been taking trapeze classes since February. I love it. My one instructor looks like Gene Wilder, and the other is a professional clown. It doesn’t get much better than that, kids.

I am still with Rob Coyner, who had a brief stint at the Review. And I still keep in touch with lots of you guys – and you really should be coming out to visit. Come on, now. I don’t exactly throw any of my infamous GRB-like parties anymore in my small apartment, but I’ll still show you a good time! Plan a goddamn field trip. I’ll take you guys to Tom Bergin’s, the Irish bar I go to every night. I mean, on weekends. And after work. It’s like Deer Park (old school Deer Park – not that piece of shit they are calling the Deer Park now), except maybe a bit nicer and with an Irish bartender who knows my name and what I drink. I guess it’s really more like Cheers…

All right, that’s enough – I don’t want this to turn into a novel like some people (coughDomenicocough). I kid. Domenico knows I miss having him around. It’s great to see what all of you are doing. It looks like we’ve all (OK, most of us) come a long way since playing Quake all night and then having “I have jelly on my shoes” mornings (that’s for you, Dawn and Bederka!!). Good times…

Jess “5 Star” Zacholl

From Christopher Yasiejko, Class of '99, Leo:
As a preface to my babble, I'd like to say that I think Jeff made some good points. The University of Delaware ought to find more professors, and, whenever possible, some with recent journalism experience. And alumni absolutely should get more involved -- when you come from a school with a journalism department like Delaware's, tight networking and j-skills are all you've got.

Additionally, I'd like to submit that the journalism closet be awarded a telephone. I've always felt a bit silly calling the concentration in journalism a "department" or a "program." I shouldn't feel so silly. The students and alumni deserve a central space.

Now for the juice: I had no problems with any of the professors at Delaware. They each have something distinct to offer, and I keep in touch with those who most influenced me.

That being said, I can say with some authority that few of those involved have given as much of their time and energy to the scrappy folks at The Review -- and even to the students who choose not to utilize our little pulpit -- than Dennis Jackson. Yes, he tends to have favorites. Sure, I was fortunate enough to be among them. And I can understand how someone who has been lambasted -- not just by him, but by anyone in such a position -- would have a beef with the source.

But I also know that Dr. Jackson spent hours poring over error-riddled copies of The Review. He regularly would either send via student courier or deliver by hand a recent issue of our student-run publication, dripping in red ink. And as much as we all detest being forever corrected, there isn't a more suitable place to experience such a thing.

Other professors contributed in their own ways. Most of them offered similar critiques on a person-by-person basis. And field trips to sporting events and major newsrooms and magazines were led by a variety of professors.

But when it came to the unconditional support of Delaware's journalism -- I'll say it now -- program, Dr. Jackson was the leading voice. That's not to say that he never disagreed with us or reprimanded us for certain decisions or stupid mistakes. It means that he often placed the growth of the program ahead of his own endeavors. And that cannot be said of some other professors, several of whom seemed more intent on getting published than on helping the students to learn to get published.

So, yes, youth is good. And active involvement is good. And some level of universal acceptance is good. But so is complete dedication, and years of direction, and an honesty that often is difficult to find.

Dr. Jackson talks a lot. He knows this. We know this. But I'd rather have a professor who talks incessantly about his "kids" and where they've gone on to and how they're doing than a celebrated writer whose interest in the students takes a back seat to personal achievements. (I mean, shit, how long has Jackson been working on the Chuck Stone biography? Do you know how many times he's set aside time to meet with students -- current and former -- when he otherwise would have been digging through notes? That's something, if you ask me. Which you didn't. Poo on you.)

But this discussion is rather hollow now. Dr. Jackson, unless I'm completely mistaken, has stepped down as director of journalism. Now Delaware has to find another person who will immerse himself or herself in all of our follies and hopes and antics. That's no small task. I can't speak for those who were on the other end of that scale, but I just can't imagine how someone with such a keen interest in the evolving program could be dismissed as a nuisance. If he hadn't encouraged me during my freshman year -- I mean, I was writing pure drivel -- I'm not sure I would have had the will to forge on.

Moving on, I'd like to suggest, Shaun, that we try a group list for those interested in your project and living in the Delaware Valley. I'm all for workshops and e-mail banter and guest-speaking and exhibitionary lubricated wrestling with attractive current Review debutantes. (Hellooo lay-daze, mmm-hmm!) It'd be nice to have a quick-fire forum to discuss ideas and meeting times.

That is all.

I just wanted to let everyone know that if you see something that offends you on this site, it's your problem. I will not remove a post unless the author of said post tells me to. Because we all have a right to our opinions and as people trained in journalism we should know that censorship solves nothing.

So if you have an issue with something on this page, write to the author of the "offending" post and talk about it. Or write your own rebuttal to be posted here. It's as simple as that. -- Bischer

From Mike Lewis:

So I was almost going to throw up with all the Dennis Jackson love on the board but since Jeff chimed in I thought I would as well. The man was nothing but condescending and rude to me for 4 years, and even now, running into him at a conference a few months ago, I see little has changed. The man played favorites like you wouldn't believe and loved nothing more than his own voice, and yet even if he had nothing to do with you he told others he was responsible for any success you may have had, post-UD.

But whatever, enough about him. I think getting younger professors would be great, except how many good young college professors are there? Kudos to Shaun for being so active with a mentoring program; personally I got so much out of the stuff Rich Jones and Archie Tse and others who came before me said while I was a student, and I think all of us who have benefitted from the program can at least help the current kids out through email.

Long live the ugly red carpet and the plastic fish we used to throw around the Review office. -lewis

From Shaun Gallagher (sgallagher@bracketmedia.com):

This message is partly in response to Jeff Pearlman's question ("Why doesn't anybody involve the alumni?") and partly a status report to those people who have already expressed interest.

About a month ago, I sent out an e-mail to my not-very-exhaustive alumni mailing list, asking whether anyone would be interested in forming a networking/mentoring group for the benefit of current UD journalism students, as well as for recent graduates who'd like some advice on how to make it big.

More than 30 fellow alumni (almost entirely former Review staffers) responded and said they'd be interested in helping in some way.

I've already pitched the idea to Prof. Ben Yagoda, who gave it an enthusiastic "great," and he said he'd be happy to help publicize it within the journalism program.

I've also tried, unsuccessfully, to get in touch with K.W. East (this year's incoming EIC) and Julia DiLaura (this year's incoming ExecEd) to find out whether they'd be willing to pitch it to their fellow Review staffers. By the way, if anybody knows how I can get in touch with them, let me know; neither has responded to e-mails to their UDEL accounts.

Here are a couple ideas that have been bandied about. Please feel free to jump in with comments and criticisms.

Idea #1: If we can get enough support, we might be able to have some alumni present a few informal journalism workshops during the course of the year.

Idea #2: I think it would also be a valuable resource to set up some sort of a mentoring program, where any interested student could get hooked up with a journalism buddy who can give personalized advice. And of course, having an established networking group would be a terrific way to get some job leads out there.

Note: Rob Wherry mentioned that he's participated in similar journalism buddy programs and found the dedication of the students a bit lacking. So you can understand the Wherry wary about opening such a program up to your average 307er. Any suggestions about how to screen students?

Anyway, here's the summary of the progress: We've got a whole bunch of people who are interested, and we just need a couple of people who are willing to sit down and hammer out the details. Pardon my decisiveness, but because these things never get done unless somebody shouts out a meeting date, I'm going to plan for an organizational meeting on Saturday, August 30 at 6pm, at the BrewHaHa on Main Street in Newark. Maybe we'll head down to Grotto's afterwards for some Big Gulps or whatever they're called. What a fun reunion it will be! Please RSVP to shaun@bracketmedia.com. And if you know anybody who may also be interested but who doesn't read this Alumni Page, feel free to pass this info along!

For those of you who can't make it to the planning meeting, if you're interested in donating a little of your time and haven't already been in touch with me, won't you please e-mail me and let me know to what extent you're willing to get involved? If you're living in the East Coast megalopolis, consider becoming part of a workshop or Q&A session. If you're living far, far away, consider becoming an e-mail journalism buddy. If you've politely excused yourself from the field of journalism, consider appearing at a workshop and telling the students what drove you over the edge.

From Jeff Pearlman: Because this site is getting a tad stale, figured I'd throw out a controversial subject: Dennis Jackson and his role in the UD journalism program.

Although I've always admired Jackson's passion for teaching journalism, I don't think it can hurt the program to:

A. Find some professors with more current journalism experience. Bill Fleischman was always my favorite UD professor, mainly because the guy was an active writer, and he could put his money where his mouth was. If you do a Nexis search for Dennis Jackson's articles, it comes up empty. I'm not saying 'Those who can't do, teach' is 100% correct. But there's some truth to it.

B. Find some professors with more level heads. Again, I admire Jackson for several reasons. But he either loves you or hates you, and that's not the way it should be. Nearly 10 years after my graduation, Jackson still tells people I was the worst editor in chief he's ever seen. Although the point might be valid, it wasn't so wonderful to hear back in '94, when I was a student trying to do right. When you're in the guy's good graces, he can be a tremendous friend. But otherwise, you're shit. And that sucks.

C. Find youth. When I was at UD, one of the great teachers was Ted Spiker, who had edited The Review just three years earlier. He could relate, and that was huge. It helps students to have professors who speak their language and what what the experience feels like.

D. Rely more on alumni. I've never understood why this program—this small, underdog program that has produced a ton of top journalists—doesn't turn to its past more often. Example: Mike Freeman of The New York Times is a superdooperstar and has been for a long time. But save for an occasional appearance in Fleischman's sports writing class, when has he been invited back? I--along with many Review alum I've spoken to--would love to make an impact at UD. So why isn't anyone ever asking?

That's my babble.

Word.

Jeff Pearlman, AS '94

From Karen Bischer: Anyone planning on going to homecoming (Oct. 18)? I am as yet undecided. It's Game One of the World Series that day, but since I haven't seen some of you people in four years, I might make an effort...

From Maria Dal Pan:
Speaking of job openings... We're losing a hell of a copy editor to Sue Stock's paper in Lansing, which means there's an opening at the RGJ if anyone is interested. Two years ago I would have said, Reno? You mean like in that movie where Fred Savage runs away from home and goes to play videogames in the Nintendo tournament? Yeah, ok. But then last winter came and I got first tracks on fresh powder on a mountain overlooking Lake Tahoe just 20 minutes from my house and was like, "So what if the nearest Nordstrom is in Sacramento?" Really. The weather is nice, traffic is a total joke and people are friendly. Just promise to bring some Yuengling if you come out to interview, ok? For real, send me an e-mail if you're interested, and I'll give you the lowdown. mariasdp@aol.com

Hey, does anyone know how to reach Dr. Jackson? I've moved so many times, I'm lucky I have my own mother's address.

love/peace/hairgrease
maria

p.s. congrats to all the other nuptials and a big kiss to everyone else!

From Brian Hickey:
Just wanted to drop a line to let any job seekers know I just found out one of our staff writers is leaving the paper in September. So, if anybody's looking for gainful employment, send a resume and clips my way, the sooner, the better.

Brian Hickey
Managing Editor/News
Philadelphia City Paper
123 Chestnut St. - Third Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
hickey@citypaper.net
215.735.8444 x211.

From Jimmy Miller:
Can anyone clear up the Dennis Jackson rumor (he's retiring/resigning/sabbaticalling to finish the Chuck Stone book)? Everyone's talking about it, but no one seems to know what Dr. J's really up to. Does anyone
know? Please advise.

-Jimmy P. Miller
Editor in Cheese
The Rescrew
1995-96
Lewisauce@aol.com

From Domenico Montanaro: Former Managing Sports Editor, Layout Editor, Copy Editor, (briefly Student Affairs Editor with Shaun Gallagher...how bout that guy - managing editor of Delaware Today...quite the coup.)
 
On my end, lots has been going on...I joined, in contrast to what many others have dubbed it, the light-er sight, got married July 11, and am buying a house.
 
I am a high school English teacher...for those of you who read my copy, noticed my poor scores on Review copyediting tests (Sue Stock) or knew of my lack of vocabulary (cough...moribund, Preach...i see that damn word everywhere now), I'm sure that's very funny.
 
I type now, not because I have a terminal at my desk as I ignore the realities of the story I haven't quite finished, but because I have the summer off. Boo and hiss all ye may; I was in your shoes and would do so readily as well.
 
I now teach at Raritan High School in Hazlet, NJ after a year at an all-girls Catholic high school (get your hahas, hehes, and oh snaps out of the way now) in North Jersey (Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon, NJ) teaching mostly inner-city Hispanic kids from Paterson...great experience, but I am too liberal to work with nuns! Damn fools with their heads buried in the sand to the realities of life. Can you believe that one of the sisters actually told the girls in their religion class that if she were about to be raped or had been raped, that she'd throw herself out her window and kill herself so she wouldn't further her sin?! That's abhorrent.
 
As most of you know, keeping my mouth shut was not always my forte, however, learning the best path to getting what I want has gotten better. Hence, I held my mouth in the face of those hiding behind their habits, and they all loved me...the nice Catholic boy who went to Catholic HS himself...and gave me a great recommendation as I moved on to reap the benefits of public school employment with higher pay better health and retirement benefits, the ability to still coach and run the newspaper. Not to mention...i'll be working about 10 minutes from where I live as opposed to the ghastly 1 1/2-hour trek north on the Garden State Parkway that I made for this past year to Paterson.
 
I was the varsity girls basketball and softball head coach this past year. The basketball team made it to the states (and won a game) for the first time in school history...that was a lot of fun to be involved with.
 
I graduated from UD in 2001 and got a job as a news reporter for the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey, where I did pretty well. I was Sports Coordinator of nine local weekly zones when I left.
 
I left, though, because I got fed up with the corporate mentality that seems to bee seeping deeper into the heart of newspapers, especially in Gannett. The Press was less devoted to quality and more devoted to the bottom line. Our paper made a 30 per cent profit last year and was still leaving positions dark...i hired (and fired) staff...signed off on yearly reviews, and knew the hypocrisy that went on.
 
People made more money who came on as editors, than those who were moved up months before, and it was explained off that money matters are confidential. It's confidential because the company doesn't want you to know who they're screwing over...that's the harsh reality.
 
Also, most in the office were paranoid of you taking their job, and played lots of games...ask Rifkin who worked there for a while before he left for a vague position of some sort that I need to ask him about. Mostly, though the quality issue was it for me...they want space filled and didn't care really about investigations or features...just wanted to appease the readers and businesses so they'd subscribe and buy ads.
 
I just got back from my honeymoon -- three weeks in Italy...Positano, Bari, Rome, Florence...good food, great wine, awesome pictures and even a sketch that I drew of the Piazza Duomo in Florence.
 
My wife (ha...that's so weird...wife) is also a teacher and another Delaware grad...some of you may have met her in my senior year at UD...Beth Hager (formerly). We met two months before graduation, got engaged after seven months, then had a year-and-a-half engagement before we got married on July 11 -- congrats to all the other married former Reviewers. We recently bought a house in Middletown, NJ...closing Aug. 15. So, life is good.
 
I miss you all...I really had a blast during my time at The Review and I wouldn't trade any of it...I learned so much and get to use all that knowledge today and in the classroom, helping to shape writing of younger generations (that's pretty scary, right?). I plan to get my master's soon in School Supervision, so I can become a principal or athletic director or something...e-mail me anytime at Dom234@msn.com. It'd be great to hear from all of you.