Opinion: Crunching numbers for Gilman on Sports

The figures aren’t impressive, but interesting

Hi, everyone.  This is another one of those summer publications to fill space as many sports are on hiatus.  This one deals with this very Substack writer (me) and a status report on the writing effort to date.

It has only been about four months since I began Gilman on Sports.  The effort was based on almost a whim, an impulse from seeing a respected Oregon writer I am familiar with (John Canzano) on this same platform.  To recite my well-worn joke:  I have more hair than John Canzano, but he has more money. (insert laugh track)

My start of this publication got off to a rocky start even before it began.  My sister-in-law suddenly passed away shortly after I announced my intentions in early April, and that understandably slowed down article production.  But the figures on readership—as basic as they are—have shown a generally upward trend.

The first two stories I wrote garnered around 40-50 readers.  That was it.  And no, they weren’t mostly relatives, but I was reluctant to hit up too many friends about my plans, and thought it would be best to grow the reader numbers organically, if there is such a thing.

There has been a steady gain in readership, although there are some understandable dips and surges depending on the content. After 75 stories published to date, more than 21 thousand individual views have been recorded—an average of about 283 views per post.

Millard Bates

The single most read article focused on my remembrances of late basketball/sports official Millard Bates—who was my junior high math teacher.  Mr. Bates’s longevity as a teacher, coach, official, and driver’s ed instructor made him a favorite of several generations.  The very personal writing garnered better than 2500 views

John Doran

Another long-lived local coach—John Doran—also got a heavy dose of readership.  Big thanks to members of the Doran family, especially his daughter Maren, for their extensive help in piecing together John’s life history.

Subject matter has been varied, yet involved a few familiar faces more than once.  Evina Westbrook—WNBA rookie vagabond; Tom Smythe—former McNary football coach directing teams in Europe; and former Sprague football coach Robin Hill in his battle with cancer.  These are compelling stories that have received a varied amount of “space” on the page

Tom Smythe (L) and Robin Hill

There have been some familiar themes which have cropped up: death, as in the funerals of my sister-in-law, Millard Bates, and John Doran; life change in a long list of stories, including former Sprague and Oregon State baseball player Joey Wong, former prep basketball standouts Ryan Schmidt of McNary, Mike McShane of South Salem, and Avry Holmes of North Salem; and profiles on several folks who are just plain interesting, including (but not limited to) Steve Walker, the “answer man” at the Oregon School Activities Association, and Bill Medford, mild-mannered ultrasound technician from Keizer who has become a “celebrity” image technician to athletes everywhere.  No doubt general these themes will be repeated frequently.

Bill Medford

There have also been some “breaking news” items of sorts.  Sprague’s Drew Rodriguez committing to Colorado State University for football; former West Salem standout Holden Whipple moving from Northern Arizona to Oregon to play football for the Ducks, and McNary star Junior Walling transferring from Oregon State to Nevada.

Drew Rodriguez of Sprague HS

Also included:  a few items that have a decidedly personal edge for the writer—yours truly.  The Millard Bates tribute had me in tears as I wrote it, edited it, and posted it; a retrospective on my buddy and longtime neighbor Jim Trussell as an Olympic participant in roller hockey had me remembering back to our impromptu football games in the open fields near our homes; the look back at both the pandemic prep sports seasons of 2020, and the memorable night at South Salem’s Guido Caldarazzo Stadium, when Guido’s grandson did something special in honor of his late grandpa on the night of the stadium dedication—both stir something deep inside me that makes sports something more than just a game.

Zach Dufault-grandson of Guido Caldarazzo

I thank you for reading any and all of these stories, and for the feedback some of you took a moment to provide.  If you have never gotten to the very bottom of a story, there is a place to click likes or make comments.  Both are appreciated.

Of note: the vast majority of readers come from seeing links to the stories on Facebook. About 60 percent of my readers come from the Facebook posts made on a mix of my personal page (Mark Gilman), Full Access Sports, and KBZY Radio, where I do my sports announcing.  Other readers have obtained a free subscription and have the writings sent directly to themselves via email.  A handful of others check the Substack page itself.  Again, feedback from you about expanding the readership is appreciated.

The last item of this reflective article involves the future of this publication.  I haven’t been at it very long, so why discuss where I am going?  Because I personally am still trying to figure it out.  A few folks have suggested that I offer paid subscriptions, which sounds good—but Substack will get a cut of that payment, plus I am not sure what to offer paid subscribers that goes beyond what the freebie subscribers receive—something to ponder. 

Notes of encouragement (email and otherwise) have gone a long way in keeping me energized about this retirement based “vocation.”  There have even been folks who have offered up potential stories to pursue.  I have followed up on most, but not all of them.  Thanks for your understanding. To be honest, I have been busier than I ever anticipated.

That’s it.  Gilman on Sports isn’t breaking any records, but the future is decidedly optimistic.  That positive vibe, and the support of my lovely bride, are enough for now.

Thanks, everyone.