The hiring process in any business is a lot like standing in a batter’s box: Sometimes you swing and miss, sometimes you manage a double and sometimes you hit it out of the park.
Matt Schuckman was a home run twice during my tenure at The Quincy Herald-Whig – first as a part-time sports clerk several weeks shy of his 16th birthday 32 years ago and then as a full-time sportswriter 10 years later.
Matt grew from the gullible high school senior who John Potts and I convinced it was imperative that he bring his date to the newsroom on a Saturday night to introduce her before heading off to prom (he did, tuxedo and all) to one of the most talented and respected sportswriters in the Midwest.
I have always been reluctant to call anyone a “natural writer” because it diminishes the hours and years of work it takes to hone the craft. As legendary sports columnist Red Smith once wrote, “Writing is easy. Just sit in front of a typewriter, open up a vein and bleed it out drop by drop.”
Matt, however, is as close as anyone I worked with. Combine that with his sports knowledge, passion for storytelling, the trust he built with sources and his way of making those he interviews feel comfortable, and you have a gifted journalist.
He picked up on the lessons. Omit needless words. Make every word tell. Make people remember what you wrote, not how you wrote it. Don’t be afraid to call BS if the situation warrants.
After graduating from Mizzou, Matt had stints with the Columbia Daily Tribune and as editor of Inside Mizzou Sports in Columbia. In late 1998, he called to ask if we could meet.
I had left sports and was news editor at the time. Matt wanted to return to his hometown to write full time for The Herald-Whig. We made it happen, back when newspapers added staff when talent was available.
Matt deservedly has won more state and national awards for his work than anyone who has ever worked for The Herald-Whig. Along the way he wrote a book, “Stand Up and Cheer: A century of Blue Devils basketball.”
Matt announced on social media Friday that he is leaving The Herald-Whig after July 9. Bittersweet as it is, you only have to scroll through Facebook comments to begin to realize the impact he has had the last 22 years.
As Mike Egenes, a former newspaperman with Quincy ties, aptly wrote of Matt, “If there’s a Mount Rushmore of Herald-Whig scribes, your face belongs on it.”
I’ll let Matt explain his reasoning for the move and reveal what the future may hold. However, I’m confident he’ll be as successful writing the next chapter as he has the previous ones.
Just like 32 years ago, when I had a hunch this young, redheaded kid who dreamed of being a sportswriter had the determination to one day make a name for himself.
Matt has managed to exceed those expectations. Job well done, my friend. A toast to the past and the future.
Nice tribute to your wonderful colleague, Don. I am sure you made his day. Thank you.