Did Rutgers AD Julie Hermann Open a Can of Worms?

Jim had mentioned this story this morning regarding Rutgers AD Julie Herman and a discussion she had in a media class recently at the University.

In an educational discussion that ranged from discussing student athletes unionizing to being an openly gay athletic director but one topic got more press than any other topic she discussed that day. Hermann reportedly discussed the media and her own bumpy patch with the media here in New Jersey when she let her thoughts be known on one media group specifically.

“If they’re not writing headlines that are getting our attention, they’re not selling ads – and they die,” Hermann told the Media Ethics and Law class. “And the Ledger almost died in June, right?”

 

“They might die again next month,” a student said.

 

“That would be great,” she replied. “I’m going to do all I can to not give them a headline to keep them alive.”

While we know she was giving a lecture to a class, the sound bite made its way to the Rutgers paper, Muckgers, as well as an article in the Star Ledger itself, written by Steve Politi.

Now we know Hemann didn't exactly get off to the right foot on her introduction to New Jersey and it's media, even if she's a straight-shooter, do you think it was a good idea to publicly rip a media group to a group of students, essentially kicking them when they're down?

Maybe Hermann hasn't learned how to deal with the New Jersey media just yet has she?