It is indisputably true that local media coverage of the Capitals has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, but to quote Robert Frost, we’ve miles to go before we sleep [in satisfaction]. Which makes this bit of news most encouraging: OFB’s favorite goaltender, Tara Wheeler, has been hired by Comcast to be a fan reporter at Redskins’ home games this season. Should you choose to watch Redskin games this season, you will see Tara’s beaming smile out among FedEx Field tailgaters; see her again during the week on ‘Washington Post Live,’ and almost certainly see her blogging for the outlet (I’m going to push that with her).
This is a wonderful entree for Wheeler, working for a big media outlet right from the onset of her career in sports journalism, and on the no. 1 beat in town (sort of). And good on Comcast here for grabbing her — I know that broadcast outlets in other markets were giving her serious consideration, but more importantly, in all of the media settings I encountered with her the past year, she demonstrated consistent poise, polish, and infectious enthusiasm for her endeavors. Hers is a star on the ascent.
So why is this such good news if she’s formally on the football beat and not hockey’s? Well hockey at Comcast is already superbly staffed, but more importantly Tara is one of us. She’s a goalie. If we truly want to make story-assigning hearts and minds in media warmer to our cool sport, first we must infiltrate the citadel. Tara is our emissary, our covert op — her puck friendly voice will be heard amid idle Comcast water cooler chatter and within insurrectionist inter-office email! Plus, I am helping decorate her new office — in Red.
And if she gets a little too cozy with the burgundy and gold, I have her cell phone number.
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