John Andrews
is back…and better (or worse) than ever
By Josh Whicker, Editor
December 1, 2004
In recent weeks, Hoosier
Gazette readers may have noticed a couple of particularly scathing articles in
the sports section. One highlighted how a very average University of Northern
Iowa football team ruined Indiana State’s homecoming festivities
by obliterating the Sycamores 58-6; the other explained why IU and Purdue
basketball fans are in for a long winter due to the lackluster play of both
teams early in the season.
Both of these commentaries
were the work of newly rehired sports editor Biff Stevens, a.k.a. John Andrews.
Andrews has returned to the
Hoosier Gazette staff after a seven month hiatus.
Being devoted to his career
as a shipping clerk, writing deadlines on top of working long hours in the
warehouse began to take a toll on his mental well-being. After writing one of
the most popular articles in THG history, “Man
dressed as the devil disrupts ‘Passion’ movie” under the
pseudonym Bill Dinkel, he turned off his computer, cleaned out his desk, and
handed in his press credentials, calling it quits at the end of March.
He should have known he
couldn’t stay away for long.
When other Hoosier Gazette
stories became international media sensations this fall, Andrews couldn’t fight
the urge to get back in the game any longer. He asked to return to his job as
sports editor and staff reporter in October.
I would be lying if I said
I wasn’t skeptical. There is no denying Andrews’ writing talent; questions
about his dedication concerned me. Would he be able to stand up to the rigors
of being a department head of a world renowned news magazine?
I decided to put him on a
month-long probation to see if he could still cut the mustard. If he was
successful, I would welcome him back with open arms. Failure would mean a
one-way ticket back to obscurity.
During this month, John
didn’t just live up to my expectations, he exceeded them. He traveled all over
the state covering major sporting events, even ones that people hate, like
soccer games. The articles he published received rave reviews.
It was time to reinstate
the legendary Biff Stevens. On November 30, Andrews officially returned to the
Hoosier Gazette family.
Look for his hard-hitting
commentary in upcoming issues of HoosierGazette.com. You won’t be disappointed.
