New theory on why GeezerJock became Masters Athlete
Los Angeles Daily News sportswriter/blogger Tom Hoffarth thinks he knows why GeezerJock magazine shed its name and became Masters Athlete magazine: It’s the president, stupid. In this case, the president is William Kupper, head of Turnstile Publishing Company, which bought GeezerJock last summer. Basically, it’s because Kupper is an old fuddy-duddy with no sense of humor. How so? Tom explains.
Here’s what Tom posted on his blog a few weeks ago:
What’s the story: Debuting with the January/February issue, the magazine formerly known as GeezerJock will now be titled Masters Athlete and will have a new Web site address as Masters-Athlete.com. Geared toward active, affluent adults who live for the thrill of competition, Masters Athlete will continue to focus on Masters athletes, including sport-specific news and features, plus the latest buzz on health, nutrition, training and gear, according to a press release.
“It’s a move we are very excited about and one we’ve been considering for a long time,” said Brian Reilly, the magazine’s publisher.
“The new name says who we are and who we write about. There are a ton of people out there who love the term ‘GeezerJock.’ There are also some who don’t. We feel everyone will like the name Master Athlete.”
William Kupper, president of Turnstile Publishing Company, the parent company of Master Athlete added: “We think ‘Master Athlete’ is more inclusive and really gets to the heart of what the magazine’s about. And we’re confident that Masters Athlete is the name that will take this magazine to the next level.”
What’s the spin: Same old story, isn’t it?
We did something last April on the “GeezerJock Phenomen” and followed it up with a blog posting.
Sean Callahan, the editor of then-GeezerJock, said that’s the term athletes over 40 were calling themselves, so it was a natural fit for the magazine name, “knowing it was funny, but also (the athletes are) deadly serious about what they were doing. They’re the types who really don’t care what others think about them. They tend to be free-thinkers, mavericks who stay out of the mainstream. And as this generation continues to move forward, there are more and more of them to cover.”
Free thinking?
If you recognize Kupper’s name, it’s because he’s been in the news this week. Turnstile Publishing also puts out Golfweek. Kupper fired the editor of the magainze Friday because of the cover story on the Golf Channel had the photo of the dangling noose, which led to a swarm of negative emails and threats from advertisers to pull out.
Nothing comes free, not even thinking.
7 Responses
Earth to Ken…WHO GIVES A DAMM??? whatever they call it they should focus on CONTENT and depth NOT superficial coverage….
I want to see more articles on Paris Hilton and who the celebrities are supporting for president.
Nah, they can do better than Paris H. And call it Geezer Jock and concentrate a bit more on golf!
I never liked the Geezer Jock name – a decent magazine with a dumb name.
There are some out there who compete at the masters level to simply have fun, enjoy the competition and stay fit ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú and that?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s great! I love the fact that those over 40 want to be in great health shape?¢‚Ǩ¬¶.
But there are others, who want to take it to the next level, chase records and want to be considered ?¢‚Ǩ?ìWorld Class Masters Athletes.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù Some may find this thinking is a bit overboard, but it is a fact. Changing the name to Masters Athlete, give those who compete the respect they deserve. The PGA Seniors tour isn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t call the PGA Geezer?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Tour, because it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s no laughing matter?¢‚Ǩ¬¶
Richard, you write as if there are only two types of masters athlete. There is a third category of “older” athlete – perhaps I’m the only member. Those “who compete at the masters level to ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶ have fun and stay fit” and also use the competition, and chase records, to help themselves reach and maintain their potential.
For whatever reasons, I did not have the opportunity to pursue my potential in this sport in my youth. Now that I am an old geezer, I find that the opportunity is there for me to grasp. When I realize my athletic potential now, in my dotage, will I be among the World Class? Perhaps – perhaps not. But if I am, I will not be just any old geezer, but a serious World Class Old Geezer.
I was intrigued and tickled by the promise of a relatively mass marketed magazine that spoke to my perspective. A promise that this time will not be delivered. Ah, well, maybe I am the only one.
I loved the name Geezer Jock, it was not pretentious and it had humor. The anal retentive types who can’t laugh at themselves and life as we go through the different phases, are the ones who will make it through the fewest. Laughter is great medicine for your body as well as your mind.
The name stands out in a crowd of magazines that wouldn’t interest anyone who wasn’t already looking for the specific subject matter. I’ve been getting Geezer Jock for as long as they’ve been publishing it, and it is one of the reasons that I have taken up track and field within the past year.
I wouldn’t have picked up the magazine if it wasn’t for the name, and now it may have changed my life moving forward. I’m certain it would not have caught my attention as Masters Athlete. Bring back the Geezer Jock name, please.
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