The University of Missouri and coach Larry Smith are upset with the media. Apparently, some reporters from the Missouri-Columbian tried to call players and coaches at home over the weekend, after the university released word on Saturday that receiver Travis Garvin and another player would be suspended for the team’s opening game. University policy is that player interviews must be arranged through the media relations department. Do you really think that if reporters requested an interview with Travis Garvin following his suspension that interview would be granted? No chance. In this instance, Mizzou wants to have its cake and eat it too. It wants the exposure the media brings to the program, but only when the story is a positive one. A suspended player? No comment, and you’re not permitted to talk to the player without asking us, and if you try, we’ll ban you from practice. Sorry, but that’s not the way it works in the real world. If you want the media to cover you, then you’d better learn to be frank with them about both the good and the bad. Reporters at the Missouri-Columbian are students at the University. It sounds to me like they’re learning well.
