WVU Blog takes on Chuck Landon

The Smoking Musket, a blog dedicated to WVU sports has taken issue with Herald Dispatch writer Chuck Landon. In recent weeks Landon has penned a few scathing columns on WVU and Mountaineer athletic director Oliver Luck.

Now I am not typically inclined to defend Landon but the Smoking Musket paints a inaccurate picture of the HD sports columnist.

Smoking Musket Post on Chuck Landon: http://www.smokingmusket.com/2010/12/20/1887683/chuck-landon-is-the-ultimate-fanboy

Error #1: Seemingly unhappy in just being a Marshall beat writer for the Huntington Herald-Dispatch, Landon has started to devote more and more time to the Mountaineers.

Landon is not a Marshall beat writer for the Herald Dispatch, he is a featured columnist. Yes, Landon does dedicate a large number of his columns to Marshall but he also gives his opinion on a number of other subjects.

Error #2: ….I have accused Mr. Landon of being staunchly pro-Marshall.

I don’t think any Herd fan would say Landon is pro Marshall. If any thing he is an impartial observer, Landon gives credit and criticism when the situation warrants. I recall many negative articles towards former Marshall football coach Mark Snyder and athletic director Bob Marcum. Landon also wrote columns on a academic fraud case that involved Marshall athletes last year.

Error #3: And with his antics painted clearly above, that's quite a leap for someone with absolutely zero journalistic objectivity.

Landon is not suppose to be objective, he is a columnist, the Herald Dispatch pays him for opinion. Looks like he is doing a pretty good job, got the Smoking Musket all riled up.

Error #4: Mr. Landon, just stick to covering Marshall and leave WVU to the real journalists.

Real journalist? Landon has been recognized by the National Sports and Sports Writers Association as West Virginia’s sports writer of the year in 1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008. How many awards have the “real journalist” at the Smoking Musket won?

So congratulations to Chuck Landon for doing his job as a columnist, get people talking. I am sure Landon appreciates the additional web site visits because the Smoking Musket linked his article.