By RUBEN LUNA
Sports Editor
Detroit News

Story posted on Aug. 11, 2008

Fred Girard

Vartan Kupelian

Mike O'Hara

Thirty-two years.

Thirty-seven years.

Forty-two years.

Simply put, that sort of experience can never be replaced in our business.

But that's what The Detroit News is facing after three employees – investigative reporter Fred Girard, golf writer Vartan Kupelian and NFL writer Mike O'Hara – accepted buyouts.

Sure, we're losing experience and knowledge in Fred, Vartan and Mike. But we're losing more than that. We're losing people who represent what sports journalism is all about – professionalism and friendship. That can never be replaced.

Girard, who had been at The News 32 years, has been a journalist for more than 40 years, almost all as an investigative reporter. Before joining The News, Girard worked in radio, and wrote for the Associated Press, St. Petersburg Times and Detroit Free Press.

Girard covered two plane crashes, a deadly earthquake, the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, and worked for nearly eight years on the University of Michigan booster scandal. He has received more than 100 journalism awards.

But, few writers can say their work influenced laws and saved lives. Girard's investigations into the safety records of Detroit public schools swimming pools, snowmobiles and personal watercraft, however, did that.

Kupelian, a native Metro Detroiter, has done it all in his 37 years at The News – high schools, Michigan State, Lions, Red Wings (18 seasons), five Olympic Games in five different countries, Stanley Cup Finals, World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Finals, Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl, to name a few.

Kupelian has won countless awards for writing, including many from the Golf Writers Association of America. He currently is vice president of the GWAA and will serve a two-year term as president in 2009-10. He has authored three hockey books and two golf books, with another due shortly. He is a regular contributor to various golf publications, print and Internet, including The Apparel Wire, Michigan Links and PGATour.com.

"It was a great run," Kupelian said. "I still love the sports journalism profession and newspapers, but it was the right time to move on to other opportunities.

"I'm saddened by what's happening to newspapers. It's unfortunate. I'm glad to say I knew the business when it was at its best, and Detroit had three terrific newspapers. I'll miss it, I'm sure. But, hey, that's life. Nothing is forever."

O'Hara has been at The News 42 years – longer than any current employee in the newsroom.

O'Hara started at The News in April 1966 as a sports copy boy and was promoted a year later to staff writer. He was drafted by the U.S. Army on May 28, 1969, and served an 11-month tour in Vietnam, stationed at Bien Hoa. In Vietnam, O'Hara, served with future vice president Al Gore. They remain friends.

After Vietnam, Mike returned to The News and eventually took over the only beat he's had since 1977 – covering the Lions.

"I've always planned for retirement, and the buyout gets me there a little sooner," O'Hara said. "It's purely a financial decision, at a point and time in my life.

"I've had a great run at The Detroit News, and it's great to leave while I'm still running. I feel like I rode up to the building in 1966 on my 20-inch Schwinn, and somebody took me on a 42-year ride in a turbine-powered stretch limo. What a ride, and I'll enjoy it until I type the last period of the last story."

Ruben Luna is the chair of the Great Lakes Region. You can reach him at (313) 223-4642 or via e-mail at ruben.luna@detnews.com.

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