Complete Story
08/08/2018
Cincinnati loses journalism legend Jim Schottelkotte
Jim Schottelkotte devoted his life to two passions: journalism and family. In reality, they were one.
The former managing editor of The Enquirer died Monday at 88. He had battled health problems in recent years, including kidney failure and diabetes. He was recovering from a broken hip when he died.
Schottelkotte, who grew up in Cheviot, graduated from Elder High School and Xavier University, began working as a copy clerk while still in high school. He became a metro reporter while at Xavier, a sports writer and columnist after that, then sports editor. In 1976, he was promoted to the No. 2 job in the newsroom, in charge of the entire news report.
“I was promoted to editor when Brady Black left,” says Luke Feck, who had worked with Schottelkotte for almost two decades at that point. “Jim had done such a great job in the sports department that it was an easy call.”
That event set up a fascinating situation in the city. The man in charge of the dominant daily newspaper was competing with WCPO-TV’s top-rated news program, “The Al Schottelkotte News.” Brother vs. brother, mano a mano.
If Channel 9 broke a big story, Enquirer staffers quickly learned to avoid looking directly at Jim. However, if the paper was first with the news, the twinkle returned to the boss’ eyes.
Schottelkotte insisted on having the story fast, correct and complete. He could strike fear into reporters and editors but was also quick with a compliment on something done well, a tip on how to make it better and an idea about a follow-up.
