Veteran Sportswriter Jack Falla Dead at 62

It’s not everyday that the sports journalism world (a world that I would classify the sports blogosphere in) loses a man that gave so much, yet had much more to give. It’s also not everyday that I lose a professor I held in such high regard.

Jack Falla, a former Sports Illustrated hockey beat writer and author, died Sunday of a heart attack at age 62. Sure, I wouldn’t have known him if I had not attended Boston University or even taken his class, but It’s because I woke up twice a week at 7 a.m. my senior year that I grew to appreciate what he was trying to teach us.

He helped me go through the job hunt process, and helped me make the right decision when I nearly took a job at MLB.com in New York. He helped me earn extra credits just so I could do an internship with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Becoming my student adviser, something he ordinarily never did, was just one of many ways he helped me and many other students.

Everyone who knew Prof. Falla could share a story. I almost never had the fortune of taking his class for a full semester. I attended the first class on time, and he stressed that the class was at 8 a.m. because he wanted to ensure his students would share the same passion for sports journalism that he did. So, of course, I incorrectly set my alarm for the second class and was subsequently 45 minutes late. He approached me after class and told me to cut it if I can’t get up that early.

I approached him before the next class at 7:15 a.m. (to prove that I could get up really early) and personally guaranteed I would never be late again. I was there every class right at 8 a.m. every time after that. I didn’t do it just to ensure I got credits for taking the course, I did it to soak in all of his anecdotes and experiences.

It’s been a while since I last heard from him, but looking back I was reminded at how witty and to-the-point he was. Speaking on my upcoming interview with MLB.com (July 2007):

“Main thing you want to do in interview is dazzle them with what you’ve done with the Revs, which I take it is a lot. That’s great experience in a MAJOR league. Play it for all it’s worth. You’ve been in the Show for, what?, about 4 or 5 months? Don’t hide that light under a basket. If you need a rec. don’t hesitate to give them my name and email or phone.”

That’s how he ended almost every letter: willing to hand out any bit of contact information or write a recommendation to help his students get jobs. He loved getting us in the journalism business and was in no way hesitant about doing so.

I made it a point to never be late to Prof. Falla’s class again. He made it a point to help each of his students (myself included) in any way he could. Now, he has left us all too early and will be sorely missed.

Boston Globe Hockey writer Fluto Shinzawa took the same course I did with Prof. Falla a number of years ago, and had some very nice things to say as well.

Tags: Boston University, Jack Falla

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