By Jim Jenks
APSE President 2006-2007
Writer’s note: As memories of the past fade, I don’t imagine anyone but me will recall that I followed Glen Crevier as sports editor of The Press Democrat in 1994 and then followed him as president of APSE in 2006-2007. It has been my honor and privilege to share so many experiences with Glen. His advice and mentoring were invaluable.
It’s hard to imagine an APSE without Glen Crevier. Since 1988, he has been part of our organization as an award-winning sports editor, region chair, officer, president and conference coordinator. It would be very difficult to find anyone who has given more time and effort to APSE’s mission over the past three tumultuous decades.
Effective at the conclusion of the 2025 summer conference in Minneapolis, where he spent 20 years as Assistant Managing Editor/Sports for the Star Tribune, Glen will retire from his APSE duties and leave a legacy that should be punctuated with a Red Smith Award.
“I’ve had a great run in APSE, and met many wonderful people who’ve become good friends,” Glen said after a recent salmon fishing trip, giving a hint to his future. “But after 35 years in the organization it’s time to move on and let someone else with fresh ideas take over.”
In a career that has covered more than 40 years, Glen has worked as reporter/copy editor at the Ithaca Journal, sports columnist at the Arizona Daily Star and Sacramento Union; sports editor at Salem (Ore.) Statesman-Journal, The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.), The News Tribune in Tacoma, as well as Minneapolis.
He first joined APSE in 1988 after becoming sports editor in Santa Rosa and became its president in 2005. It was a very volatile time for the newspaper industry with the advent of the internet, digital properties, declining print advertising revenue and the closing of newspapers it seemed like every day.
When asked about planning the summer 2007 conference in Las Vegas, Glen said, “Man, I can’t recall much from the convention planning, other than I had a group of west coast sports editors meet in Las Vegas in January of 2006 and we began planning the sessions at the time. We settled on a general session addressing the deteriorating situation in the newspaper business. It was, I believe, the first time that topic had been addressed. Randy Harvey was the moderator, and we had panelists from Knight Ridder and McClatchy who sounded the alarm bell very loudly. I think a lot of people were skeptical, but in reality, they were right. Obviously.”
Obviously is right! Knight Ridder, sold off to McClatchy, did not last the year, and many of those papers were immediately dumped by McClatchy. Amidst the industry pain and chaos, Glen kept his eye on the future and potential growth opportunities for APSE membership.
“I followed Jerry (Micco) as president. I appointed him as Futures Committee chair, and he worked the digital initiative,” Glen said. “As president I began the Futures Committee with the goal of figuring out how digital organizations could join APSE. A year later, we admitted several — ESPN and Fox — into APSE as provisional members. And ultimately changed the bylaws to allow the dot coms to become full time members.”
Another first during Glen’s presidential term was having paying sponsors in attendance at the summer conference. A controversial move at the time, but one with the underlying goal of keeping APSE alive.
“The Las Vegas conference (2006) was the first year that we had sponsors in attendance,” Glen explained. “I remember the UFC hosting a cocktail party that was well attended by members, even though many were against taking money from sponsors. The reality now, of course, is without sponsors we would not be having summer conferences.”
What would turn out to be one Glen’s greatest accomplishments during his presidential year was the hiring of Jack Berninger as executive director, replacing APSE legends Ed Storin and Herb Stutz, the long-time executive director and conference coordinator, respectively. Berninger was a stalwart doing the job of the two men until he retired in 2017 and was replaced by … Glen Crevier and Bill Eichenberger. Both men went on to win the Jack Berninger Award, created in 2017 and given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the success of APSE.
“Glen’s maniacal attention to detail and his natural leadership ability have all served APSE extremely well,” Eichenberger, current executive director and 2003-04 president, said. “Having worked beside him for several years, it’s clear to me now why he led one of the nation’s best sports sections at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. He’s that rare individual who can see the big picture while also having mastered the intricacies of his job.”
It will soon be time to relax. So, instead of planning conferences and worrying about deadlines, room counts and contest plaques, Glen will enjoy more time with his wife (and APSE partner) Sybil, and their family. The salmon can run scared now (although he admitted catching nothing on his last adventure).
Tributes To Glen
Bill Eichenberger, Executive Director, 2003-04 APSE President
“Every year, in preparing for the summer convention, Glen reaches the meltdown stage, as deadlines aren’t met as diligently as he would prefer. But every year, with Glen shouldering the lion’s share of the load, we somehow manage to get the job done. The yearly miracle, he and I like to call it. So, he’ll be missed. So will his wife Sybil, who has lent an invaluable hand.
“But as with everything with APSE, what I’ll miss the most is more personal: the meals we’ve shared, the conversations we’ve had about the state of modern journalism and about life, about parenting, about politics, about Nebraska football. APSE functions for me won’t be the same without Glen and Sybil, and I know I’m not alone. But I’m confident the organization, made stronger by Glen’s effort, will persevere despite the significant financial challenges it faces.
“When he departs his position after the 2025 summer convention in Minneapolis, he will leave behind an example worth following for all who aspire to leadership in APSE.”
Jorge Rojas, 2022-2023 APSE President
“I’ve gotten an up-close look — more than most — at the small tortures that Glen has gone through in expertly planning APSE’s events. Hotel rates, cost per plate, speakers, panels, audio/visual capability, programs, swag, sponsorships, budgets and costs — none of that is an exact science. After having danced that dance with Glen a few times, I have the utmost respect for his attention to detail and his immense contribution to our organization.
“When I think of Glen, I guess it comes down to what a good guy he is. I’d rank Glen No. 1 at contacting me over the years in search of diverse candidates — and I’m not sure I helped him much. Though the Strib is a great publication, Minnesota isn’t always an easy sell as a diversity destination. Along with Celeste Williams, Glen was the editor/ally who I could go to to share Knight-Ridder and McClatchy notes. He always had great advice, like, ‘Good luck changing their mind when it’s made up.’ And I always get a big laugh at myself for ordering the too-expensive Kobe beef — which Glen paid for — at an APSE judging dinner in Orlando, and then getting sick the next day. Over the years, Glen has just been a very supportive friend and colleague. He deserves some peace (and so does Sybil).”
Naila-Jean Meyers, 2023-24 APSE President
“In my three years as an APSE national officer, and especially during my presidency, I was so grateful to have someone with Glen’s experience, wisdom and tenacity taking the reins of our conferences. Organizing APSE events is such a juggling act, and Glen was so skilled at keeping all those balls in the air.
“I never liked disappointing him by missing a deadline (which I almost always did). A special shoutout to Sybil, whose friendly face was often the first one I saw at APSE conference, and if it wasn’t, I always sought her out. Her warmth was a balm on those chaotic conference days.”
Gary Potosky, 2021-22 APSE President
“What Glen has done as Executive Director, like Jack before him, requires a dedication to and love for APSE that is beyond measurement. Glen is the beating heart of APSE. If you’re an APSE member, he’s you, whether you’re a national officer or a small newspaper editor, and everything in between.
“He’s a longtime sports editor and APSE past president so he understands every inch of this industry and how APSE can make a real and positive difference.
“APSE’s mission is, ‘We are at our best as an organization when we are of service to each other.’ Glen is the embodiment of that mission.
“As a past president myself, I want to thank Glen for being the rock I and my officer team needed every day. Without Glen’s truly tireless efforts, there’s no way we come out of the pandemic this healthy. APSE is a volunteer organization: We need successful in-person national conferences to survive. Glen has steered that ship through choppier waters than most even know and captained it to an optimistic horizon once again.
“In my book he’s a charter member of any APSE Hall of Fame, and a forever member of the vast APSE family.
“Glen, we will miss you immensely. Enjoy your many years ahead with Sybil and your family & friends. No one deserves it more. And please come back and visit us. The welcome mat will always be out.
“Bravo, sir.”
