By CHUCK OFFENBURGER
DES MOINES, Iowa, March 14, 2026 — Recently I gave a good chunk of money — at least for my income level — to Vanderbilt Student Communications, Inc., at my alma mater Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Honestly, I needed to do that in thanks for all I learned in that program way back in the last century.
During my four years there, 1965-’69, I was a reporter, sub-editor, news editor and then editor-in-chief of the twice-a-week printed student newspaper, the Vanderbilt Hustler, named that when it was founded in 1888 as an independent, energetic and bold news voice for the students.
As I’ve rolled memories of that around in my head in recent years, one that keeps occurring to me is how we tried to put staff writers on the road to cover what we thought were big stories that mattered to our student readership.
We sent Hustler writers to Civil Rights protests, rallies against the Vietnam War, seminars on the growing Student Movement, music festivals and — as you can imagine at a sports-crazy Southeastern Conference university — particularly big “away” games our Commodores were playing.
When I say “we sent” reporters to those events, I really mean we told them to go. And it was up to them to figure out how to get there, what friends they could bunk with, and how they could pay their own way. I remember a couple times we used the credit card of one staff member’s mother, which she’d been foolish enough to give him “but only for emergencies.”
College newspaper editor-in-chief, 1968. (Vanderbilt U. photo)
But our biggest benefactor in those years was probably our head men’s basketball coach, Roy Skinner. We had great teams, and Skinner wanted to help our sports editor Henry Hecht, a classmate of mine, with his excellent coverage, both home and away. So, for a good many road games, the coach found ways to include Hecht on the travel roster for the team bus and maybe an airplane trip or two, too. And he’d help sneak Hecht past gate guards and into press boxes at SEC arenas.
I was always grateful for that late at night after road games, when we’d be stretching or breaking our normal deadlines to get Hecht’s game story into the next day’s printed Hustler newspaper, often to the surprise and delight of our readers.
Immediately after games, Hecht would write a rough draft of his story, ideally on a typewriter but sometimes in long-hand on a paper tablet. He’d find a phone, make a collect call to one of our staff members who’d be ready and waiting at a typewriter. Since I was usually the fastest typist available, I often took the dictation.
There were great lessons for both of us in our experiences as college newsies.
A half-dozen years after we graduated, Hecht was the New York Yankees beat reporter for the New York Post, then later wrote baseball for Sports Illustrated and “The National” sports journal. He’s still a “writing coach” helping develop student writers.
And I’ve had a good long run in Iowa as a columnist for the Des Moines Register and several other media outlets.
When I think about my career, it occurs to me that a lot of my best work came when I’ve been reporting and writing while traveling — by airplanes, ocean-going ships, military vehicles, cars and, yes, bicycles.
China, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, the Middle East and a good bit of Europe.
New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, the Twin Cities, Seattle, Cape Cod, Key West, Yellowstone, Juneau. Lots of places in-between.
And everywhere in Iowa.
What has working in all those places done for me?
It’s taught me about people, and how to talk to them. It’s taught me history, culture, spirituality, government, economics, sports and war. It’s made me curious. Stirred my imagination. And led me into many more stories than I ever expected — about 10,000 of them by my most recent rough count.
In Kuwait, covering the Persian Gulf War in 1990-’91. (Author’s photo)
I feel a duty to share what I’ve learned. I’ve already done some of that, teaching and mentoring. I wanted to do more, especially for Vanderbilt, which I’ve remained close to even though it’s been 57 years since I graduated.
Last summer, a Vandy development officer Kevin Fleming got in touch, said he was coming through Iowa, and invited me to breakfast. He proposed a number of ways that donations of any amount could help VU. I told him that I had an idea for helping young journalists there, and he encouraged me — even though Vanderbilt Student Communications, Inc., is its own non-profit corporation, independent from the university.
It will probably surprise you to learn that Vanderbilt has never had a journalism department and does not offer journalism degrees. Most of the professional journalists we produce — and there are lots of us — are graduates of other Vandy liberal arts programs. Nevertheless, the Student Communications program is about 10 times bigger and more robust than it was when I there.
Back then, we had the printed Hustler newspaper, a one-lung radio station WRVU, the Commodore yearbook, and a “literary magazine.” Friends and I have consulted on how many students were involved in all four of the media offerings, and our best-guess is “about 75.”
Today, more than 750 students are involved in Vanderbilt Student Communications, Inc., led by the 24/7 digital Hustler, which has truly become one of the best college news operations in the nation. Check it out right here: https://vanderbilthustler.com.
The overall program also has at least two “TV stations,” two “radio stations,” a bunch of special “niche” publications (some in print but most digital), what’s basically an ad agency, and more podcasts than I can count.
Paige Clancy, honored in 2025 by the College Media Association. (Vanderbilt U. photo)
One of the four full-time adult advisers is Paige Clancy, who was a Hustler managing editor herself in the 1990s and has become a good friend.
I called her last summer, gave her my idea, made my financial commitment and we have now launched “The Hustler Editors Special-Projects Fund.” It is dedicated to “advancing excellence in student journalism at Vanderbilt.”
Our description continues, saying the special-projects fund “is a donor-supported initiative to empower student editors and champion The Hustler as one of the nation’s leading college media outlets.
“This fund will provide flexible, story-driven support to student journalists to pursue high-impact reporting opportunities. Whether covering major breaking news, developing ambitious feature work, or traveling to report on a pivotal sports event, this fund will help ensure The Hustler doesn’t miss the moment.
“At its core, this fund reflects the urgency and excellence that define great journalism. When something big happens, the editor-in-chief and the adviser should have the freedom and resources to say, ‘This is it, go!’ ”
Use of the funds are to be “directed at the discretion of the editor-in-chief and the adviser.” They are to be “output-driven with the expectation that a publishable story or coverage will be produced.” And it’s designed “to enhance The Hustler’s credibility and reputation as a leader in college journalism.”
Paige Clancy was back in touch with me 10 days ago, pointing out that both our men’s and women’s Vanderbilt basketball teams are having extraordinary seasons. (As the NCAA tournament begins this coming week, the Vandy women are 25-3 and the men are 25-7.)
When the teams hit the road on this tourney trail, Clancy suggested, the Hustler is going to have sports reporters, columnists and photographers going, too, producing first-rate content. And they’re going to be supported by first-use of the new “Hustler Editors Special-Projects Fund.”
Wow! I’m thrilled.
Please note that the new “Hustler Editors Special-Projects Fund” is not named after me. That was my request, so that we can invite other Hustler editors from over all the years, to add their donations to this very special campaign. Hustler readers are invited, too. And here’s where to send contributions by mail:
Vanderbilt Student Communications
2301 Vanderbilt Place
VU Station B 351669
Nashville, TN 37235-1669
And here is a handy, secure link for online contributions.
Tax ID 23-7030713. VSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
I’m going to consider all this a tip of my ball cap to Henry Hecht, the ol’ Hustler sports editor who still closely follows the Commodores from his home in New York City. And I’m also considering it a small apology to the late Frances McCrackin, mother of another Hustler pal the late Mark McCrackin, for the ways we used her credit card back when.
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