Friday afternoon I got a call from John Quinn - one of the editors at the Inquirer. He asked me if I was available Saturday to interview Pete Rose who was appearing at a sports memorabilia show in King of Prussia. Naturally, I was elated at the possibility to interview one of the greatest baseball players of all tme.
I called the show's PR rep to confirm everything. She didn't guarentee that Rose would be available to the media, but she said she'd set me up with his PR rep the next day.
Saturday rolled around and I called the show's PR rep again. She informed me that she had been in touch with Rose's representative, and that he "probably wouldn't talk." A little disappointed, I traveled to King of Prussia anyways to try my luck. Upon getting there, I found Rose's representative who immediately told me off.
Of course, Rose's career has been laced in controversy. After betting on baseball, he was banned from the sport and not admitted to the Hall of Fame. Since then, he's been trying to get reinstated so he can be admitted to the hall. Needless to say, his relationship with the media hasn't been all that friendly. The questions I had prepared that my editor had given me involved Tim Donaghy - the NBA ref who had bet on games, Michael Vick - who was reinstated into the NFL after serving jail time, and Bud Selig - the comissioner of Major League Baseball who has refused to reinstate Rose.
The PR rep's suspicions were right when she assumed it would be just another interview involving his tarnished past. She inherintly disliked me and immediately told me it wasn't worth me coming and that I should leave.
Disappointed, I called my editor and informed him that there would be no story. He wasn't surprised and told me that they thought that might be the case.
A hard-hitting interview with one of baseball's greats would have made a great story to tell - and probably would have resulted in a great clip, so it was disappointing that it didn't work out. I was happy that the editors had enough confidence in me to assign it to me, though.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Penn Wood waiting
So now I know what it's like to be a real reporter - a lot of waiting.
I'm working on a story about the Penn Wood boys basketball team - last year's PA state champions for Class AAAA. My task was simply to call the coach and get the lowdown on this year's team, then write up a 500-600 word preview on the season.
I called before I left for the office, hoping I'd have the interview done before I even came in. That way I could just write it up and leave early. The coach didn't answer, so I left a voice mail.
When I arrived in the office, I spent time doing research on the team, waiting for the coach to call m back. Three hours passed and still no call. It was time to call him again.
This time he answered, but I could barely hear him speak. It was clear he was in the midst of practice. He said practice would be over at 7 o'clock and he would call me then.
Now all I can do is wait.
I began working on the story at about 2 pm. It's been over four hours and there hasn't been one interview question or word written for the story. The story will get done - but I will be in Philadelphia late. Sometimes being a reporter isn't as fast-paced as journalists would like to think.
I'm working on a story about the Penn Wood boys basketball team - last year's PA state champions for Class AAAA. My task was simply to call the coach and get the lowdown on this year's team, then write up a 500-600 word preview on the season.
I called before I left for the office, hoping I'd have the interview done before I even came in. That way I could just write it up and leave early. The coach didn't answer, so I left a voice mail.
When I arrived in the office, I spent time doing research on the team, waiting for the coach to call m back. Three hours passed and still no call. It was time to call him again.
This time he answered, but I could barely hear him speak. It was clear he was in the midst of practice. He said practice would be over at 7 o'clock and he would call me then.
Now all I can do is wait.
I began working on the story at about 2 pm. It's been over four hours and there hasn't been one interview question or word written for the story. The story will get done - but I will be in Philadelphia late. Sometimes being a reporter isn't as fast-paced as journalists would like to think.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Busy day - Busy week ahead
When I entered the newsroom today I was met with the prospect of breaking news. Mouphtou Yarou, a freshman center from Africa for the Villanova basketball team was diagnosed with hepatitis B. John Quinn, the college editor, needed someone on the story and sent me to Villanova to meet with Yarou and the coach, Jay Wright.
After making my way to Villanova, I sat down with a Daily News reporter, coach Wright and Yarou around a small table after practice. We talked for about an hour about Yarou's disease and I got details about the complicated nature of his diagnosis and what the results would be.
I returned to the newsroom and worked with another intern, who did research on hepetitis, to put together a story. The result was a well written, well reported and well researchd story that will probably get some attention in tomorrow's paper.
Over the next few days, I have a season preview to write for a high school basketball team, and the possibility of college basketball games to cover. It should be a busy end of the semester, but I'm happy that the editors have enough confidence in me to give me such important stories.
After making my way to Villanova, I sat down with a Daily News reporter, coach Wright and Yarou around a small table after practice. We talked for about an hour about Yarou's disease and I got details about the complicated nature of his diagnosis and what the results would be.
I returned to the newsroom and worked with another intern, who did research on hepetitis, to put together a story. The result was a well written, well reported and well researchd story that will probably get some attention in tomorrow's paper.
Over the next few days, I have a season preview to write for a high school basketball team, and the possibility of college basketball games to cover. It should be a busy end of the semester, but I'm happy that the editors have enough confidence in me to give me such important stories.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Eagles Points
I spent this week working on a write-up for the Sunday paper. I had to describe five "keys to the game" for Sunday's eagles game. They included: the Eagles running game without Brian Westbrook, Chicago's struggling quarterback, Chicago's thriving running back, the Eagles banged up defense, and the Eagles special teams.
While it was only five short briefs, it took me a lot longer than expected. I had to cram a lot of information into a short amount of words, and looking up all of the stats and info wasn't always extremely easy. Nonetheless I finished, and I should be going over what I did with the editor today so that it can run on Sunday as a spread - similar to the Flyers spread I had earlier in the semester.
While it was only five short briefs, it took me a lot longer than expected. I had to cram a lot of information into a short amount of words, and looking up all of the stats and info wasn't always extremely easy. Nonetheless I finished, and I should be going over what I did with the editor today so that it can run on Sunday as a spread - similar to the Flyers spread I had earlier in the semester.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Out and About
A lot has been going on at the Inquirer lately. They've begun sending me out to cover games. Somehow I landed the high school soccer playoff beat. It has been enlightening considering I don't know all that much about soccer. It has also been fun. It's nice to get out of the office and go over high school events.
I'm used to covering college games, and high schools are their own different animal. While it may seem easier because people are more willing to talk to you, it is much harder in my opinion.
Nothing is handed to you like at college games. At Delaware football games, rosters, programs, and stats are all given to every reporter in the press box. At high school games, just finding a roster is a challenge in itself. Some schools have more advanced websites than other schools, and obtaining a roster usually involves calling the athletic department beforehand or asking the coach after the game (which isn't as good, because then the research has to be done after the event itself.)
Either way, I've gotten a few great clips out of my soccer coverage. The first game I covered resulted in a half-page spread with photos. Working here has been exciting. I hope they keep sending me out to cover games like they have been doing recently.
I'm used to covering college games, and high schools are their own different animal. While it may seem easier because people are more willing to talk to you, it is much harder in my opinion.
Nothing is handed to you like at college games. At Delaware football games, rosters, programs, and stats are all given to every reporter in the press box. At high school games, just finding a roster is a challenge in itself. Some schools have more advanced websites than other schools, and obtaining a roster usually involves calling the athletic department beforehand or asking the coach after the game (which isn't as good, because then the research has to be done after the event itself.)
Either way, I've gotten a few great clips out of my soccer coverage. The first game I covered resulted in a half-page spread with photos. Working here has been exciting. I hope they keep sending me out to cover games like they have been doing recently.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
New week, new assignments
Last week ended on a high note. I finished two feature stories which I handed over to Gary. I assume they'll be in the paper or online sometime this week. And, things started to pick up here in relation to the Phillies. While it's doubtful that they'll send me into a game with a press pass (they have about 20 sports reporters in line to do that before they get to the interns), they may need some help covering Philly fandom. It's not dumb to assume that there will be some celebrations in order soon. The Phillies are in line to win the ALCS and move on to the World Series. If so, I'll make sure the editors know that I'm more than willing to cover some Broad Street riots (or celebrations, but riots would be much more exciting).
Things are still entertaining in the newsroom and I'm always busy. I hope the rest of the semester keeps up at this pace.
Things are still entertaining in the newsroom and I'm always busy. I hope the rest of the semester keeps up at this pace.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wheels keep on turning
Things haven't slowed down here at the Inquirer. The feature stories I was working on are done, yet awaiting publication and I've continued to be assigned briefs and quick hits on the regular. Tuesday night, my editor Gary Miles assigned me a short story on Heather Mitts, a professional soccer player who was just signed by the Philadelphia Independence, a new women's professional soccer team here in Philadelphia. The story ran the next day.
Gary also assigned me a story on a cross country athlete who ran in two meets on two consecutive days. Unlike the other feature stories I had some trouble with, both the runner and his coach answered the phone on their first try. I got all of the interviews I needed and the story should be written and good to go by the end of the day today.
In addition to the many assignments and never ending projects, there has been some excitement. Last Thursday was probably the most exciting night I've spent in my short tenure as a journalist. The Phillies were in the midst of Game two of the National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies. Cole Hamels was the starting pitcher, but left the game in the fifth inning in order to join his wife, Heidi, who was in labor at Leickenau Hospital. Seeing as I was the only reporter in the news room at the time, one of the editors asked me to drive to the hospital and get an update on Heidi Hamels.
Needless to say, it was an adventure. First, I went the wrong way, which added about 20 minutes to the trip. Once I got to the hospital, I spent about 10 minutes looking for the maternity ward. Once I found it, I took the elevator and found myself in a small room with about three people sitting in it, including a nurse at a desk. Seeing as I wasn't a family member, she told me to leave. I then proceeded to the front desk to ask if they were going to make some kind of announcement. They weren't. I was out of luck. I called the newsroom and the editor thanked me for my efforts and said I could go home.
Never before had I been sent on a mission like that, and it was definitely a rush. I was happy that the editors had confidence in me to give me such a task. I just hope next time is more successful.
Gary also assigned me a story on a cross country athlete who ran in two meets on two consecutive days. Unlike the other feature stories I had some trouble with, both the runner and his coach answered the phone on their first try. I got all of the interviews I needed and the story should be written and good to go by the end of the day today.
In addition to the many assignments and never ending projects, there has been some excitement. Last Thursday was probably the most exciting night I've spent in my short tenure as a journalist. The Phillies were in the midst of Game two of the National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies. Cole Hamels was the starting pitcher, but left the game in the fifth inning in order to join his wife, Heidi, who was in labor at Leickenau Hospital. Seeing as I was the only reporter in the news room at the time, one of the editors asked me to drive to the hospital and get an update on Heidi Hamels.
Needless to say, it was an adventure. First, I went the wrong way, which added about 20 minutes to the trip. Once I got to the hospital, I spent about 10 minutes looking for the maternity ward. Once I found it, I took the elevator and found myself in a small room with about three people sitting in it, including a nurse at a desk. Seeing as I wasn't a family member, she told me to leave. I then proceeded to the front desk to ask if they were going to make some kind of announcement. They weren't. I was out of luck. I called the newsroom and the editor thanked me for my efforts and said I could go home.
Never before had I been sent on a mission like that, and it was definitely a rush. I was happy that the editors had confidence in me to give me such a task. I just hope next time is more successful.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Two Weeks
It's been two weeks since I started work here at the Inquirer. I'm working Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon/evening, and they are certainly keeping me busy. I spend my time in the office condensing press releases, writing briefs and making calls. Meanwhile, I'm also busy writing two feature stories when I'm not helping the editors with smaller tasks.
I've been placed in the sports department, where I'm working with a few other interns to help develop the Inquirer's new high school sports website "Rally." Generally, we'll have one or two features a week that will be posted on the website or in the print edition. For the first stories, I pitched each of them to my editor Gary Miles, and every intern's story is an idea that I developed. The two specific stories I'm working on include: Long-time high school coaches in the area and fathers who coach sons/mothers who coach daughters in the area. I've narrowed down plenty of sources for each story. The difficult part is getting them to call me back. I've spent the past week making calls, leaving voicemails and sending emails to all of my sources. I've had very little luck. I'm hoping they come around soon so I can get to work on my next two features.
Overall, the experience has been exciting so far. I've had the opportunity to meet the entire sports editorial staff and a number of the reporters. I've had three by-lines in the paper already, and that number is only going to grow. I spent much of last week creating player profile capsuls for the entire Philadelphia Flyers team, which should run in Sunday's sports section.
While the commute is long, it is worth it. I look forward to getting into the office every Tuesday and Thursday. I hope the connections and experience I get in here will help me in the future.
I've been placed in the sports department, where I'm working with a few other interns to help develop the Inquirer's new high school sports website "Rally." Generally, we'll have one or two features a week that will be posted on the website or in the print edition. For the first stories, I pitched each of them to my editor Gary Miles, and every intern's story is an idea that I developed. The two specific stories I'm working on include: Long-time high school coaches in the area and fathers who coach sons/mothers who coach daughters in the area. I've narrowed down plenty of sources for each story. The difficult part is getting them to call me back. I've spent the past week making calls, leaving voicemails and sending emails to all of my sources. I've had very little luck. I'm hoping they come around soon so I can get to work on my next two features.
Overall, the experience has been exciting so far. I've had the opportunity to meet the entire sports editorial staff and a number of the reporters. I've had three by-lines in the paper already, and that number is only going to grow. I spent much of last week creating player profile capsuls for the entire Philadelphia Flyers team, which should run in Sunday's sports section.
While the commute is long, it is worth it. I look forward to getting into the office every Tuesday and Thursday. I hope the connections and experience I get in here will help me in the future.
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