UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 10, Page 3
November 4, 1993
Room with a view; Impartiality and statistics rule in the press box

     As I entered the stadium, I fumbled for my press pass. The security
guard gave me the go-ahead, and my excitement about the day carried me up
the 108 steps. I was assigned to write a firsthand account of the internal
workings of the Bob Kelly Press Box at Delaware Stadium, and it was a big
game, Delaware against Villanova.
     In preparation for game day, I spoke with Scott Selheimer, the
University's sports information director. He described the physical layout
of the area, as well as his job and responsibilities.
     "We have to let everyone know exactly what's going on. If there's a
big play, the people in the press box need to know who made the tackle, who
carried the ball, plus any additional statistical information, like a
career record," he explained. "Our press box is small, but it is
functional. The media never complains because our system works well."
     He added that there is no cheering allowed, in compliance with NCAA
rules, and that I would probably be winded by the time I reached the box,
it being the highest in the East without an elevator. I took the
information home and let it sit until game day.
     About an hour before kickoff, I approached the press box, took a deep
breath and walked inside. I waved to Selheimer and tried to be the casual
ace reporter as I asked opinions about the facility. Most noted that the
box is narrow. It's obvious. At the top of the stadium situated on the 50
yard line, the media section of the box runs for about 40 feet with a large
plexiglass window that gives an excellent view of the field, as well as the
surrounding area. It contains a long counter with chairs. There are name
tags in front of the seats, and press packets for everyone. In addition,
there are bags, laptop computers, Watchmans, Walkmans, notebooks and
newspapers.
     "It gets a little tight," said Tim Panaccio, a sportswriter for the
Philiadelphia Inquirer.
     Also, against the back wall, there is a copy machine, two phones and a
counter for hot dogs and soda.
     I spoke to the staff from visiting Villanova student radio station,
89.1 FM, to get their ideas. Brendan Farley, a Villanova junior, was
concise in his comments. "The boxes are a little small and the stairs are
high, but the food is a plus and it's a great vantage point."
     While everyone else was reading the sports pages, talking football and
making game predictions, I laid low and surveyed the scene. Because of the
rivalry between the football programs, the game was being telecast live to
the Delaware Valley, the first time since 1985, on Fox 29, WTXF-TV.
     The TV announcers took up one section of the box. I thought the big
guy looked familiar. I was right. It was Ron Jaworski, former quarterback
for the Eagles.
     More people offered opinions. Jim DeLorenzo, the sports information
director for Villanova, said, "This box is on par with most in the
division. The distribution of stats is very important. Delaware and
Villanova have a similar system with the internal PA system going over
every play. And it is a great view."
     The media included about 12 to 14 reporters, print and radio, from
throughout the Delaware Valley
     "Hey! Where's Tomashek? He's probably getting a scoop," I heard
Panaccio's voice laugh in the background. It was nearing kickoff and the
box was getting full.
     Tom Tomashek, from the Wilmington News Journal, hadn't shown yet. I
was eager to talk to him as he's been covering Delaware football since
1977. So far, the box contained people from two camps: the media and the
sports information statistical staff.
     The stats people included two scoreboard operators (one graphics, one
statistics), four statisticians, two of Selheimer's interns and the
longtime stadium announcer Elbert Chance. There were also two game
officials, complete in uniform, to operate the official clock.
     Tomashek finally arrived. I introduced myself and asked for a story to
really give me the color and atmosphere of life in the box. "Well," he said
"there's no cheering allowed, but once I was in the box at UMass, and it
was a mess. There were no dividers, and there were alumni up there, making
a lot of noise. They were yelling, Go, Big Red! So Delaware scored a
touchdown in the final moments to win the game. All of a sudden, it's
deathly silent in the box. I turn around and say, "Go Big Red." If looks
could kill!" Everyone in the cramped Delaware Stadium press box quarters
laughed appreciatively.
     At kickoff, things started rolling. The internal PA system spouted
names and yardage, in contrast to Chance's colorful comments being
broadcast to the rest of the stadium.
     Keys clacked as a person recorded every play on a typewriter.
     The roar of the crowd was loud, and some of the Delaware coaching
staff, who were above our heads spotting the game, stamped their feet on
big plays.
     The place was alive, like a stock market pit with all of the hand
motions and lingo that goes along with it. The spotters are able to see in
between a big pile of players and pick out who accomplished what.
     Radio updates are called in by the radio reporters. Calls are made to
some press boxes to get scores from other Yankee Conference games. The
visiting press box, on the east side of the stadium, calls over to confirm
stats.
     The pace is quick. I was glad I knew a little something about
football, because I would have been lost. It was tough keeping up anyway.
Big plays and tough tackles were observed, and the reaction of most in the
box was to their pens and pads. I did see some winces and smiles in
appreciation of the game.
     At the half, the laptop computers came flying out, as reporters began
their summaries.
     The Delaware coaches who were above us hurtled down to get to the
locker room quickly, people got up to stretch, get refreshments and take
care of details.
     As soon as play resumed, it was back to business with reporters and
statisticians glued to their seats. Selheimer asked the reporters which
players they wanted to see after the game.
     Deciding to watch the last few plays is a tough call for the
reporters. If they stay to watch, they risk getting caught in the crowds as
they try to reach the media room in the Bob Carpenter Center for the
post-game news conference. If they leave early, they risk missing a big
play. Most left early and they didn't see Darryl Brown's last carry that
put him over 200 yards for the game. I was glad I stayed.
     Being in the press box is quite a change from being in the stands.
While you are totally removed from the fan mentality, you can see the crowd
reaction to every big play. It's tough, but impartiality and bare
statistics rule the world above the 108th step.
                                                  -Mary Beth Lynch