Sports writing session produces ‘best advice’
By Brad Shepard
When I accompanied four of
my fellow classmates and one of my teachers to Columbus, Ohio, for the
Society of Professional Journalists convention, I left Knoxville expecting
to gather some information that would help me further my career in journalism.
What I did not expect was the great times and lasting memories I would
have.
Before the six-hour journey ever began, Dorie, Courtney, Jacob, Brian,
Bonnie and I were laughing and talking and basically just thrilled to
be leaving campus and all of our respective worries behind. For a couple
of days, we just wanted to be kids in school again, not adults with so
many things to do that we couldn’t even take a breath.
The group that went to Columbus could not have been any more different;
yet, I don’t think we could have gotten along any better either. The only
thing we had in common was our desire to be the best at what we love to
do most: writing. But as we went our separate ways to different meetings
and sessions, we always were glad to see a familiar face in the crowd
when the rooms cleared.
Also, being in close contact with hundreds of people with the same interests
as you is a great way to meet friends as well. For the majority of the
weekend, I found myself speaking with a guy who was a writer in Fargo,
N.D., when I had barely been out of the state of Tennessee my entire life!
There is a completely different world out there than I experience every
day, and it was cool to become friends with someone who lives thousands
of miles away.
As for the classes, it did not take me long to get my money’s worth for
the convention. I went to the “On your mark, get set, write” session on
Friday morning. As soon as I saw Indianapolis Star columnist Bill Benner
on the panel, I could see that the session was going to be interesting.
We discussed issues concerning getting started in the sports writing profession,
as well as issues that face the sports writer daily. Benner spoke of his
run-ins with recently dismissed Indiana Hoosier head coach Bob Knight
and the way in which he had to handle certain “unorthodox” positions the
coach put him in as a writer.
This issue really hit home with me because I have been thrust into a similar
situation covering high school athletics where, many times, it seems like
my hands are tied. It really makes my job difficult, but Benner answered
my questions thoroughly and respectably and pointed out that all I can
do is work within the boundaries that are set for me and do my best within
those boundaries.
That’s quite possibly the best piece of advice I’ve ever received.
From there, I felt that I had already experienced the highlight of the
trip, but the following sessions I attended (Covering Hate, Columbine,
and War Crimes) were all insightful and well-designed. I was even interviewed
by a reporter from The Working Press about being a student at a school
that experienced a similar situation (on a lesser level) as Columbine.
This allowed me to switch seats and become the interviewee instead of
the one asking the questions. It really makes you watch what you say and
how you say it.
As for the night life. Well,
let’s just say the club scene in Columbus is much better than advertised,
and the people up there know how to have a great time. After experiencing
last weekend to the fullest, it is evident SPJ and Columbus know how to
put on a great convention as well.
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