Paris: Turnabout is fair play
I received an interesting call this week. Someone wanted to interview me.
That happens on occasion. Radio stations call a lot. Other writers, looking for background on a story. Students working on a paper.
A student called this week. Except this one was different. This student had been interviewed by me.
Courtney Paris. Paris is a journalism major, working on some capstone course, and she’s writing a paper about the relationship between columnists and coaches. OU basketball publicist Jared Thompson checked to see if it was OK if Paris called me, which was considerate but not necessary. Just because athletes need a shield from the media doesn’t mean the media needs a shield from the athletes.
Anyway, I don’t know if I helped her, though I tend to talk pretty frank with students who call. I make my living hoping people will talk with me; I think it’s in poor taste to not reciprocate.
We talked about the Mike Gundy rant and we talked about Sherri Coale and Sean Sutton and other coaches. I hope it helped her.
I certainly know I enjoyed it. It’s always good to see an athlete outside the prism of the playing field. Always good to see someone step out of their role and take off the mask, not that Courtney Paris has ever really tried to hide much.
The Paris sisters have been superb additions to the Oklahoma sports landscape. Great ballplayers, engaging young women, from all accounts solid role models.
I’m glad she called. I hope she gets an A.
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Berry I would say you must have excellent rapport with athletes as well as the coaches. Congratulations and keep up the good work.
Bob Harpster