Mike Fannin

Newspaper: Kansas City Star

Career background: Assistant managing editor/sports at The Star since summer of 1999; deputy sports editor at The Star for two years before that; assistant sports editor at the Dallas Morning News, 1993-97; Sunday sports editor and jack of all trades at the now-defunct San Antonio Light, 1989-93. I've worked for Dan Cunningham, Tim Kelly, Dave Smith, Bob Yates and Dinn Mann. Yes, that means I've had my (bleep) kicked a lot over the years.

APSE activities: Lots of drinking and hanging out, which is often the best way to cultivate ideas, build sources and make friends. I'm also vice-chairman of the Great Plains region and have been a contest chair and judge for nearly a decade.

Up close and personal: Married a few hundred times, but now lives happily in Kansas City with girlfriend, Cathy, and daughter, Emily.

Quotable: "Our credibility is everything. With the departure of some longtime leaders in APSE, it's critical that we maintain a strong collective profile with major sports organizations around the country. Who isn't unhappy about access at some level or another? Also, as you look around the room, it is clear that diversity remains a challenge for our group, particularly in the sports editor ranks."

Fun factoid: I once took Garry Howard to school playing basketball on the 10th floor of our hotel at the Chicago convention. Don't let him tell you otherwise.

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