UPDATE:A caller on talk radio’s Paul Finebaum show asked Friday afternoon if a story from the Crimson White could be linked to Wasson’s ouster. The article reports: “An incident of sexual harassment has been reported in the UA journalism department and is now under investigation by the College of Communication and Information Sciences, journalism department chairwoman Jennifer Greer said.” The article does not provide any additional information. An email and private message left for Wasson had not been returned at the time of this update at 5:25 p.m. Friday. An email sent to Greer was also not returned as of this update.
The executive sports editor of the Tuscaloosa News, David Wasson resigned his position Thursday, The Tuscaloosa News reported:
David Wasson has resigned as executive sports editor of The Tuscaloosa News.
‘David offered us his resignation Thursday. He plans to pursue other opportunities,’ said Doug Ray, executive editor of The Tuscaloosa News.
Anna Maria Della Costa, assistant managing editor, will lead the newspaper’s sports department during the interim. She can be reached at 205-722-0191.
Wasson provided this comment on the Tidesports.com forums:
Hey all.
I sincerely appreciate all the well-wishes in this thread and beyond. My friends and family have all been wonderful sources of support, inspiration and guidance. I count you among that extended family.
What was in the paper is really all that needs to be said: I resigned to pursue other opportunities.
I appreciate all the people at The Tuscaloosa News who made my nearly six years there a wonderful learning experience. Publisher Tim Thompson, Executive Editor Doug Ray, AME-Content Anna Maria “Pickleball!” Della Costa and Web Director Chris Rattey have been wonderful for me and my family. My staff (Cecil Hurt, Tommy Deas, Harold Stout, Edwin Stanton, Christopher Walsh, Aaron Suttles, Michael Kerekes, Michael Southern, Ryan Wright and Charity Scott) is — quite simply — the best in the business. The paper is filled with countless professionals who bust their rear ends to give you their best work. I thank them all for the privledge of working alongside them.
As time goes on, I hope to fill y’all in on my future plans. I have some things going, and hope to be able to provide the kind of quality journalism in my future endeavors that you have received here at tidesports.com and in the pages of The Tuscaloosa News.
God bless,
David Wasson
Wasson was sent an email asking for information about his future plans, but had not responded at time of posting. Wasson had served as executive sports editor of the Tuscaloosa News since 2002; prior to that he had served as executive sports editor at the Times Daily in Florence. Wasson has also served as an adjunct instructor at UA in the College of Communication and Information Sciences. He earned a BA in journalism in 2007 from UA.
Anna Marie Della Costa was named to supervise the department during the interregnum. She wrote the November 29 story detailing the Tuscaloosa News’ reaction to a loan made to sports editor Cecil Hurt.


