Blase Gapinski – Editor in Chief of the Ferris State Torch
Although the outcome of the Anchor Bone Classic game changes every year, one thing always remains: The coverage from Ferris State Torch and Grand Valley Lanthorn that ends the beloved week of rivalry.
As the editor-in-chief of the Ferris State Torch, I recognize how important the role of our newspapers has been throughout the history of this rivalry.
In 2012, Ferris took home the Anchor-Bone Trophy for the first time, and of course, the Torch documented this historic moment. What I admire most about this coverage from former sports section editor, Tyler Shelton, is how objective he remained when retelling the events of the game. The headline for that piece read “More than a trophy,” and it stayed true to recapping the game without any fluff that typically comes from a professional team rivalry recap.
Rather than calling it a dominant performance or focusing on the score deficit, Shelton stayed true to keep the rivalry friendly and only recapped the most important moments of the game.
Our role as the newspaper is so important when it comes to keeping this rivalry alive. We aren’t here to stir the rivalry but to preserve it.
We work hard to tell the full story that includes both teams, both fans and communities that rally around our college programs. We do this for the community, so that the stories of the Anchor-Bone Classic can be retold for years to come. Our paper becomes a tangible piece of history, capturing the emotions and defining moments of each year’s rivalry game, exactly like Shelton’s piece did.
Emotions are always high during rivalry week. As a fifth-year student, I know that all too well. Our responsibility as student journalists is to step back during this time to truly observe and report on the game for what it is.
Every fall, no matter which team walks away with the trophy, both newsrooms come together. Whether knowingly or not, we come together each to provide the full story of the game. Win or lose, we each capture the energy, mistakes and victories from our team, all while staying committed to fairness and truth.
At its core, both of our communities know that this is way more than a football game. It is a tradition that continues to grow with each passing year.
With each new chapter of the game, our coverage has remained the same. We intend to continue covering this rivalry with respect and fairness, setting the rivalry aside to focus on the craft of honest storytelling. This commitment is the heart of student journalism.
We welcome you to this year’s Anchor-Bone Classic edition of the Torch, our way of continuing the rivalries’ legacy. Together with the Lanthorn, we will continue to preserve the spirit and history of this cherished rivalry for years to come.
Hailey Hentz – Editor in Chief of the Grand Valley Lanthorn
Likewise, at the Grand Valley Lanthorn, we recognize the importance of covering the heated rivalry with composure (while still being propelled by Laker pride, of course). The articles published by the Lanthorn and Torch reside in university archives and our newsrooms for many years, documenting enthusiasm on the bleachers, sidelines and on the field.
As the Lanthorn’s editor-in-chief, since my early days as a student journalist, I’ve loved covering rivalry games– and I’m sure all the Lanthorn’s editorial staff would agree. Covering a rivalry game as a journalist is thrilling because a reporter gets to soak in the passion from both sides and diligently note each play on the turf. The Anchor-Bone Classic is unique in this regard because the rivalry seems plastered everywhere, and is ingrained in both Lakers and Bulldogs from the start of their freshman orientation. Even if a student doesn’t go to the annual showdown, chances are they still keep their eyes peeled for that fated Instagram post displaying the final score.
Student newspapers have the ability to get up-close access, whether that be in the press box, on the sidelines or after the big game, in a crowded room filled with reporters, eagerly asking follow-up questions. All this is done to inform the student body, and dig deeper into the microscopic details of the game. While Anchor-Bone Classic coverage is definitely about the big story playing out on the field, it also encompasses day-to-day aspirations, and the relationships between players and crowd members. That’s what the Lanthorn and Torch dedicate our papers to fostering: true-to-life articles that are preserved for generations.