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It's been a dream: Mike DeCourcy celebrates his 25 years of writing for The Sporting News | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 9:58 GMT by Sporting News
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Mike DeCourcy: 25 Years of Insight, Innovation, and Passion for College Basketball

When the 2024 NCAA tournament’s buzzer‑beater headlines roll across screens, a few dozen reporters can claim they were the first to break the story. For Mike DeCourcy, that first‑hand experience stretches back a quarter‑century, and his career has become a blueprint for modern college‑basketball coverage. Celebrating 25 years at Sporting News, DeCourcy’s work has shaped the way fans, analysts, and even the teams themselves view the sport.

Early Roots: From Small‑Town Passion to Professional Pitch

DeCourcy’s love affair with basketball began in the rural towns of northern Michigan, where he played forward in high‑school and dreamed of watching the college game up close. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in journalism, he took his first staff job at a local daily. “I started covering high‑school games out of sheer enthusiasm,” DeCourcy tells Sporting News in his own profile. “That passion eventually grew into a professional calling.”

His early career was marked by a steady climb through regional sports columns, including a stint with the Michigan Chronicle and later the Ann Arbor News. It was here that DeCourcy began to develop the voice that would later define his national reputation—one that combined statistical rigor with human‑interest storytelling.

Sporting News: A New Chapter

In 1999, DeCourcy joined Sporting News, then a print‑only publication, as a college‑basketball writer. Over the years, he transitioned from staff writer to senior editor and eventually to the role of College Basketball Editor, a position he holds today. According to his Sporting News author page, he covers “all conferences across the country, with a particular focus on the NCAA tournament, recruiting, and the evolving analytics landscape.”

His tenure at Sporting News has seen him cover every major conference realignment, from the Big Ten’s 2013 expansion to the new Big 12 structure. DeCourcy’s columns have consistently highlighted the sport’s shifting power dynamics—most notably his 2015 piece on the rise of mid‑market programs, which helped spark a national conversation about parity.

“College Basketball Insider”: The Voice That Fuels the Net

One of DeCourcy’s signature contributions is the weekly College Basketball Insider column, a fast‑paced roundup that has become a staple for fans and analysts alike. “It’s all about delivering the story before the story circulates,” he explains. The column often provides early insights into conference schedules, coaching changes, and recruiting whispers—elements that now circulate instantaneously on Twitter and TikTok.

The column’s influence was particularly evident during the 2021 pandemic‑year tournament, when DeCourcy’s early coverage of the “bubble” format and COVID‑19 protocols provided clarity to a confused fan base. The same column continues to serve as a go‑to source for breaking news, including last‑minute coaching firings and unexpected player injuries.

Covering the Tournament: A Career of High‑Impact Stories

Over 25 years, DeCourcy has been present at every NCAA tournament, witnessing historic moments and unanticipated upsets. His 2018 coverage of Villanova’s championship run was praised for its nuanced analysis of coach Jay De Loach’s strategies. More recently, his 2022 breakdown of the Big East’s dramatic “Cinderella” runs helped define the narrative of that season’s tournament.

In 2020, DeCourcy was named a finalist for the AP Sports Editors’ Award for college‑basketball coverage—a testament to his consistent excellence. He attributes the accolade to his commitment to “accurate reporting, contextual analysis, and the human stories that make the game unforgettable.”

Philosophies & Practices: Why DeCourcy Stands Out

Beyond the columns, DeCourcy has shared insights into his workflow. He’s an early adopter of data‑driven analysis, often citing advanced metrics such as effective field‑goal percentage and player efficiency rating to add depth to his stories. Yet he balances the numbers with on‑the‑ground storytelling. “Data tells you the what; the narrative tells you the why,” he muses. This dual focus ensures that his readers receive both a statistical snapshot and an emotional context.

DeCourcy also emphasizes the importance of building relationships with players and coaches. His long‑standing friendships in the sport allow him to secure exclusive interviews, granting readers access to perspectives rarely seen elsewhere. In his 2023 column on the Big Ten’s recruiting frenzy, he quoted a head coach in a way that only someone with deep institutional trust could secure.

Legacy & Impact: Shaping the Next Generation of Reporters

Sporting News’ 2024 article celebrates not only DeCourcy’s longevity but his mentorship of up‑and‑coming writers. He has co‑hosted several webinars on sports journalism, focusing on ethical reporting and multimedia storytelling. “The field is evolving,” he notes. “My hope is that younger writers embrace both the depth of traditional journalism and the immediacy of digital media.”

DeCourcy’s influence extends into academia as well. He has been invited to speak at universities—including the University of Michigan and the University of Kentucky—on the intersection of analytics and narrative in sports journalism. These appearances further solidify his role as a bridge between the past and future of the sport’s coverage.

Personal Reflections: The Man Behind the Byline

When asked what drives him after a quarter‑century of writing, DeCourcy smiles. “It’s the game,” he says simply. He recalls a 2003 season when he was 35, feeling that the sport had a “freshness” that matched his own personal growth. He credits his wife, who has been his “steady fan,” for staying rooted during his long hours in Washington, D.C., and his teenage son, who now follows the same sports trajectory, as a reminder of the next generation’s passion.

DeCourcy has also been candid about the challenges of staying objective amid fan fervor. He’s quoted himself saying, “I can’t separate the love for the game from the love for the story. That’s my greatest challenge and my greatest gift.”

Looking Ahead: 25 Years and Counting

As DeCourcy reaches the 25‑year milestone, Sporting News looks to the future with him as a central figure. His next projects include a planned podcast series, “Beyond the Court,” focusing on the cultural impact of college basketball across America. The series will feature interviews with former players, coaches, and even athletes from other sports who have been influenced by basketball.

In sum, Mike DeCourcy’s 25‑year journey is not just a personal achievement; it’s a chronicle of college basketball’s evolution—from the early 2000s era of regional rivalries to today’s data‑rich, nationally televised spectacle. His blend of storytelling, analytics, and genuine passion has cemented his place as one of the sport’s most respected voices. As the next chapter unfolds, fans and writers alike can expect to see the same relentless curiosity and commitment that have defined DeCourcy’s career for a quarter‑century.