Hi Friends and Hockey Fans!
Could you Please help me.
I have been credential for the Minnesota State Hockey Tournament for 30 years and some how a person at the State High School League is not approving me this year. I cover more games then any other media person or fan in Minnesota. 200 High School games a year the last 20 years. My passion is second to none. I emailed a letter to the State High School League Executive Director Erich Martens emartens@mshsl.org which you can read at the bottom.
I would like you to share this letter on my facebook account Jerry Borough and Minnesota Hockey Connection and make any comments you feel like too. Like me on Facebook on both account too, you will get 98% hockey plus updates on the story.
Please retreat on Twitter too, and make any comment. Twitter Account Minnesota Hockey Connection, user name mnhockeyu.
Here is the letter I sent the Executive Director Erich Martens
Dear Mr. Martens,
My name is Jerry Borough. I cover over 200 high school games a year. I am credentialed at every level of hockey in the state (NHL, NCAA) and have been credentialed for MSHSL playoffs and boys' State Tournament since 1991. This year, I was saddened to learn that I have not been credentialed for the tournament, and I am asking you to please reconsider.
I put in countless hours on Minnesota high school hockey every winter/ I have a weekly 30 minute hockey show called Minnesota Hockey Connection 9 months out of the year that airs on Duluth local television. You can check it out on YouTube. I've hosted over 100 High School coaches and players on the show plus another 50+ guests connected to High School Hockey in the last 10 years. You can check my Facebook page at Minnesota Hockey Connection. I can give you 100 references from coaches, former players, athletic directors, scouts, agents, and personnel from junior College and NHL hockey.
I'm one of maybe two media members who vote for Mr. Hockey and the Frank Brimsek award, though I have been working with the committee and advocating for more media members to vote. Like me, many of these members are not credentialed based on the MSHSL's standards, yet they are the ones who are covering the game professionally and with passion. While I respect the efforts of traditional media outlets, these people and I are probably more deeply aware of what's going on in the sport than 98% of credentialed media members. They and I work for legitimate organizations with high editorial standards, payrolls, content schedules, and are developing creative new ways to engage new audiences, particularly the high school kids, who are what this sport is all about. However, they have been shut out because they do not seem to meet a constantly moving definition of what the MSHSL believes is a legitimate media organization.
You won't find another person with more passion and covering more games in the entire state. I have been credentialed for over 30 years on my time and dime. I've driven over 500,000 miles just traveling the state for high school hockey. It has been very disappointing to learn that my experience and commitment no longer appear to meet the MSHSL's standards, which seem more stringent than those of the NHL and are not keeping up with how people get information in the modern era. I and many other media members have found it impossible to communicate with Tim Leighton, and my advisors told me to email you.
Please give me and other deserving media members credential approval for the State Tournament. I don't need the stress at my age. I would appreciate a response ASAP so I can plan for next week. Call me at 612-790-3049 if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Jerry