DON'T OVERDO PREPS ON TV.Byline: GARY WASHBURN Confidence is what they need. Exposure is what should be the reward for days of hard work. But let's not Let's Not is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. It was first published in Boston University Graduate Journal in December 1954. It was written for no payment as a favour to the journal, and later appeared in the collection Buy Jupiter. overdo it. Fox Sports West 2's gesture to show one high school football game per week is a good one. And it finally brings high school sports to the forefront in an area that produces hundreds of college athletes. You hear names, but you finally get to see faces and talents. In fact, television might do to high school football what it has done to college football and basketball. Finally, someone realized there's money, popularity and an audience for it. Two week ago, thousands of fans got a chance to see Justin Fargas Justin Fargas (born January 25, 1980 in Encino, California) is a football player in the NFL. Professional career He was drafted in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. As of 2006, he is the Raiders' second-string running back. and find out why USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. and UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX are in a tussle with Michigan for his services. It's a shame the technology of television, which is becoming so regionalized and specialized, does not do more with local sports. Fox Sports West 2 has an opportunity to do that. But there have to be some guidelines. Making 16-year-olds seem like perfect teen-agers and larger than life larg·er than life adj. Very impressive or imposing: "This is a person of surpassing integrity; a man of the utmost sincerity; somewhat larger than life" Joyce Carol Oates. is not realistic. At times, television features on high school athletes are rather lush, making any quarterback look like the next Drew Bledsoe Drew McQueen Bledsoe (born February 14, 1972) is a former American football quarterback in the NFL known best for his almost eight years of starting for the New England Patriots. During the 1990s and early 2000s, he was perceived to be the face of the Patriots franchise. or a defensive back the next Ronnie Lott Ronald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott (born May 8, 1959) is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety and strong safety in college football and the NFL. . Newspapers also are guilty of over-hyping, but television produces an immediate image that often can't be erased. The problem is, when that athlete doesn't fulfill those lofty expectations, we see him as a disappointment. That's the problem of making young kids - some who only think they want to go to the next level - instant celebrities. How many high school superstars do you know who never made it to college? Or only became role players? Or who dropped out? Does overconfidence o·ver·con·fi·dent adj. Excessively confident; presumptuous. o  ver·con have something to do with it? Probably, and television
can make it worse.
That's why television broadcasting has to be team-oriented. Show the fans, cheerleaders Notable cheerleaders
Show the best games. But also show those schools and coaches that don't get exposure. I noticed that Fox Sports has only one City Section football game (Westchester vs. University, a shaky choice) on their schedule this season. The City Section's quality of football is not up to the Southern Section, but one game is a definite slight. OK, it's their first season and it's a great move. It's better than KCOP-Channel 13, which would rather show a ``Homeboys From Outer Space,'' marathon than high school sports or KTLA-Channel 5, whose idea of local sports coverage is reporting a few scores. Fox Sports West 2 has a unique opportunity to tap into a new fan base and its weekly sports shows and game coverage are appealing. The danger is, however, making high school sports too commercial and giving immature kids a forum to show off. That's why the blueprint must be very defined. There are tons of college recruiting magazines that already make athletes look invincible. There are recruiters who call some players every week and make studying and normal high school life impossible. These kids have enough distractions. It wasn't right to pit Fargas against his buddy - and possible USC teammate - Miguel Fletcherof Alemany in Fox's first telecast. High school games should be a showcase for the schools, not a made-for-TV matchup of the stars. And it did, having the two stare at each other - both were fighting laughter - as a promo pro·mo n. pl. pro·mos Informal A promotional presentation, such as a television spot, radio announcement, or personal appearance. to kickoff. Fargas outgained Fletcher 268-113. So does that make Fletcher any less important to his team? Or any less of a football player than before? The audience should never be in a position to decide. It's a shame that the City Championship hasn't been on local network television station in years.Thank goodness for KLCS-Channel 58, which has given the City much-needed coverage over the past two seasons. So it's up to Fox Sports West 2 to carry the torch. It can either be an educational tool as well as a promoter for high school athletes, or another tabloid which applies more pressure than before. This is a rare opportunity for Fox. Let's hope it doesn't blow it. |
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