CHICAGO — Roy Hewitt relaxed, finally, then exhaled. "I'm done," he said softly.
APSE's Olympic committee met here on Tuesday and Wednesday, working with United States Olympic Commitee representatives to allocate credentials for the 2012 London Games to U.S. applicants. Since 1984, APSE has worked with the USOC in an advisory capacity and, for the past seven meetings, Hewitt has chaired the group.
With his retirement planned for March 2012, this was Hewitt's final time in charge.
"This group has evolved over the years to be a fair representative of all print organizations," said Hewitt, who is sports editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Everyone gets consideration. The hard work of all the committee members has made my job easier."
Seventeen media representatives convened with USOC officials to review every credentials application. This year, there were a total of 905 credential requests; 415 were available, a decrease from previous games.
The committee members (listed below) were drawn from a cross-section of news organizations of varying sizes and ownership from throughout the country.
As he has for some time, Hewitt assigned each member of the committee about a dozen news organizations apiece to contact.
That committee member was responsible for interviewing the applicant, understanding the organization's plans and financial commitment to covering the games, then representing the organization's position before the group.
That information — along with an organization's history of Olympic coverage, its size and its mission — were used by the committee to make recommendations. With more than twice as many requests as credentials, few received exactly what they wanted. However, a number of organizations, particularly smaller ones that might not seem an obvious credential candidate at first glance, were ultimately successful as a result of their committee advocate's work on their behalf.
"Roy really provided good direction to this committee," said Bob Condron, the director of media services for the USOC. "The process he has put into place has made it easy to study every single application."
Condron and Patrick Sandusky, the USOC's chief communications officer, expect to review the allocations and notify news organizations of their credentials status by Dec. 1.
"This is the most fair process, maybe in the world, for accreditation," Condron said. "Everyone has a chance and it's done right, it's done humanely. APSE has been a great partner."
Indeed, the editors and USOC officials were joined by Bill Hancock of the Bowl Championship Series, who observed the process. APSE is looking to develop an advisory relationship with the BCS regarding its credentials.
Hewitt, who served 13 times on the Olympics committee, may be a member one final time for the Sochi Games. However, with those Games taking place after his retirement, the committee leadership will be passed on. As 2011-2012 president, I expect to announce a new chair as soon as June at the Boston conference.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Hewitt and committee members lauded USOC mainstays Peggy Manter and Vanessa Virbitsky. Then all stood and applauded Hewitt.
"APSE has a lot to be proud of in having this committee," he said.
It was a job well done.
Committee members:
Michael Anastasi, The Salt Lake Tribune and APSE First Vice President; Toby Carrig, Antelope Valley Press; John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times and APSE Past President; Richard Demak, Sports Illustrated; Dan Helms, USPresswire; Roy Hewitt, Cleveland Plain Dealer and APSE Olympics Committee Chair; Garry Howard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and APSE Past President; Julie Jag, Santa Cruz Sentinel; Tom Jolly, New York Times; Reid Laymance, St. Louis Post Dispatch; Greg Lee, Boston Globe; Brad Lehman, Houston Chronicle; Jerry Micco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and APSE Past President; Dave Morgan, Yahoo! Sports; Matt Rennie, Washington Post; Jorge Rojas, Miami Herald; Patrick Stiegman, ESPN.com/The Magazine.
