- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,193,040
- Reaction score
- 59
I remember when I was in college, and my mom was worried about the degree I was pursuing, journalism. She wasn't sure if newspapers would still be around years later, but I was determined. I wanted to work in the industry and stay around sports. I played them growing up and eventually got to the point I couldn't anymore, but I wanted to stay around them somehow.
In 2022, I moved to Plattsburgh on a whim. I didn’t really know what I was doing then, but I took a chance walking into the Press-Republican’s office, and they took a chance on me.
What a wild and crazy journey it’s been so far.
From multiple trips to Binghamton to following various teams as they make their way through state tournaments, I’ve seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I’ve gone all across the North Country to cover sports and haven’t regretted a minute of it.
I still have my Southern drawl — that’s not going away — and it sticks out like a sore thumb to the point I still get the looks and comments, “You’re not from here, are ya?”
Sure, there’s TV, streaming and other media outlets who rush to get content out to you. Could I do the same? Sure. Would it be the quality that I’m proud of? Doubtful.
I’ve told people the fact remains that I know by the time the game ends, the immediate family knows the score. The ones who couldn’t get there know the score shortly after. Anyone can know by the time it pops on Facebook or TV, so what am I doing differently?
I don’t attack game stories the same way newspapers did before and some still do now. I look for the game within the game. Sure, there might be a no-hitter in a baseball game, but not everyone will know the pitcher got out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth.
That’s what I key in on.
I find the moment or event that really sent the game in one direction. I try to chase down the players to get quotes from them. I often joke to them, “Stutter, think, do whatever you need. I’ll clean it up later. We’re not live!” That usually gets a chuckle and calms the nerves some.
That’s high school sports, but there’s also another facet of covering local sports: You, the reader. I occasionally get emails and notifications about happenings around the area, but I'm only one person. That’s where you come in.
Is there something happening in your part of Clinton, Essex or Franklin county? Are you, your friends, your family fishing, hiking, canoeing or playing a sport like Little League baseball or softball? Is it anything sports or outdoors related that you want to see covered?
Please send it my way.
I often joke — to the chagrin of my boss — that the summer is my relaxation time. Schools are out, high school sports are over and I get to relax. I do admit that my vacation goes around the school schedule. A trip to North Carolina is long overdue, which I’m doing in early July.
But I’m still looking for stories and hope you can help. I’m already in talks with the Plattsburgh Little League about giving them more coverage, but I know there’s leagues — youth and adult — all across the area, and not just baseball. It’s why I’m trying to bring even more sports and activities to the paper. It’s why I’m trying to get it more to a point where you are intrigued by what could be in the sports section. Maybe it’s a feature. Maybe it’s a game.
And I want it to have a community feel, as it is your community’s paper. I just have a hand in it.
A big reason I love my job is sharing your stories and your moments. So please, let me know what I’m missing because the Press-Republican isn’t mine. It’s yours.
Continue reading...
In 2022, I moved to Plattsburgh on a whim. I didn’t really know what I was doing then, but I took a chance walking into the Press-Republican’s office, and they took a chance on me.
What a wild and crazy journey it’s been so far.
From multiple trips to Binghamton to following various teams as they make their way through state tournaments, I’ve seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I’ve gone all across the North Country to cover sports and haven’t regretted a minute of it.
I still have my Southern drawl — that’s not going away — and it sticks out like a sore thumb to the point I still get the looks and comments, “You’re not from here, are ya?”
Sure, there’s TV, streaming and other media outlets who rush to get content out to you. Could I do the same? Sure. Would it be the quality that I’m proud of? Doubtful.
I’ve told people the fact remains that I know by the time the game ends, the immediate family knows the score. The ones who couldn’t get there know the score shortly after. Anyone can know by the time it pops on Facebook or TV, so what am I doing differently?
I don’t attack game stories the same way newspapers did before and some still do now. I look for the game within the game. Sure, there might be a no-hitter in a baseball game, but not everyone will know the pitcher got out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth.
That’s what I key in on.
I find the moment or event that really sent the game in one direction. I try to chase down the players to get quotes from them. I often joke to them, “Stutter, think, do whatever you need. I’ll clean it up later. We’re not live!” That usually gets a chuckle and calms the nerves some.
That’s high school sports, but there’s also another facet of covering local sports: You, the reader. I occasionally get emails and notifications about happenings around the area, but I'm only one person. That’s where you come in.
Is there something happening in your part of Clinton, Essex or Franklin county? Are you, your friends, your family fishing, hiking, canoeing or playing a sport like Little League baseball or softball? Is it anything sports or outdoors related that you want to see covered?
Please send it my way.
I often joke — to the chagrin of my boss — that the summer is my relaxation time. Schools are out, high school sports are over and I get to relax. I do admit that my vacation goes around the school schedule. A trip to North Carolina is long overdue, which I’m doing in early July.
But I’m still looking for stories and hope you can help. I’m already in talks with the Plattsburgh Little League about giving them more coverage, but I know there’s leagues — youth and adult — all across the area, and not just baseball. It’s why I’m trying to bring even more sports and activities to the paper. It’s why I’m trying to get it more to a point where you are intrigued by what could be in the sports section. Maybe it’s a feature. Maybe it’s a game.
And I want it to have a community feel, as it is your community’s paper. I just have a hand in it.
A big reason I love my job is sharing your stories and your moments. So please, let me know what I’m missing because the Press-Republican isn’t mine. It’s yours.
Continue reading...
