National Masters News sold to Amanda Scotti and Tish Ceccarelli
Tish has been NMN’s circulation director.
Randy Sturgeon, recovering from cancer, has sold National Masters News to W55 national champion sprinter Amanda Scotti and W55 runner Tish Ceccarelli. That’s the word from Amanda, a veteran NMN staffer, who writes: “We have both worked there for a number of years so the transition has been pretty smooth. We’re both terribly excited to be taking over and can’t wait to put out our fist issue, the upcoming March one.” Randy’s seven-year tenure was rocky but momentous. He had a succession of editors, starting with Juliet Wahleithner and later Carmel Papworth-Barnum, whom he let go in May 2008. Under Randy, NMN launched a website, moved from tabloid to magazine format, promoted the Phidippides Awards, folded in columnists and began e-blasts to subscribers. USATF continued to subsidize NMN — $5,000 a year — and use the print edition to host chair columns.
Local girl Amanda (in yellow) leans for the tape at 2010 Sacramento nationals, where she won gold in the W50 100 and 200.
The late Al Sheahen, of course, put NMN on the map after turning the twice-a-year 1977 newsletter into a monthly that eventually reached thousands around the world.
Current edition of NMN features W55 high jump medalists from Porto Alegre.
Between 1995 and 2002, NMN was owned by Rodale Press, publisher of Runner’s World and other sports and health magazines. Suzy Hess bought the magazine in 2002 and, with her hubby-to-be Jerry Wojcik, was publisher until handing off to Randy in January 2007.
NMN has suffered revenue and circulation losses like all print media, but has a leg up. Many of its subscribers are older and prefer a print publication — even if it contains months-old news.
But seeing your name or photo in print gives a buzz that can’t be matched. So NMN has a shot at reaching 50 in 2027. It will always be a labor of love. Amanda and Tish will debut as owners with the March issue.
I expect more details later.
Best of luck to both!
9 Responses
Congratulations to Amanda and Tish. Knowing Amanda and her enthusiasm for track and field, the NMN will be in good hands. @ Angela – What’s the purpose of your comment? Why make a degrading comment. Do you need an “atta girl”?
I am so glad to hear it will continue to be a publication! I look forward to it in my mailbox each time and read it front to back.
Best of luck to the new “girls”, I’m betting it will still be great!
Good luck
It will be fun
A thank you and best wishes to Randy Sturgeon from Kathy and I
I’ve updated the post to reflect the fact that Randy promoted the Phidippides Award but didn’t create it. It was developed by the Masters Long Distance Running Committee of USATF, and Marian Lein has been administrator of that program since its inception. My apologies.
We will miss Randy and the many relationships he developed and maintained with masters athletes and clubs even through his battle with cancer. The folks at the Greater Philadelphia Track Club were always grateful for Randy’s ideas and support. We wish you the very best, Randy!
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