I have always found sports commentary in broadcast journalism to be extremely frustrating. At the beginning of a game, Quarterback A is the knight in shining armor who has yet to tarnish the golden image of his team. Then, by halftime, Quarterback B has risen from the ashes like a phoenix and proven that Quarterback A is all style and no passion. But at the end of the game, when Quarterback A’s team wins, Quarterback B just didn’t bring enough to the table to outshine Quarterback A’s Hail Mary’s and trick plays. Quarterback B has lived out the rise and fall of his career in one game. Quarterback A is still infallible… except for the hour in the middle of the game when the announcers decided that they would take a hiatus from the bandwagon.
As an avid sports fan and lover of broadcast journalism, I find the fickle banter of analysts and color commentators to be irritating because the men in suits fail to hold players accountable in the long run. I know they can’t necessarily help it, as they have to address every play at a time and match their verbiage to the flow of the game. However, if I hear one more time that a certain wide receiver “IS BACK!!!!” because of a great touchdown that came five minutes after one of the most embarrassing fumbles of his career, I’m going to start sending hate mail.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Another Week in Review
I can't believe that I failed to blog this week! Life has been very busy though.
I did a lot of different things this week in media relations. I worked a lot on writing bio updates for the baseball and track pages on wakeforestsports.com. That was pretty challenging because it required that I familiarize myself with the terminology of sports that I had never really had to write about before.
I also finally finished my second article for wakeforestsports.com, which can be found at the below link. I'm not as proud of this article for some reason. I struggled to figure out how to put all of the information that the subject had given me into an interesting format. I also found it difficult to stylize the article because I was so focused on getting the information into it. It turned out alright though! I'm still waiting for my next assignment, but I'm pretty sure this one will be someone involved in golf. Luckily, I am more familiar with golf than javelin and baseball.
Until next time,
Calais
I did a lot of different things this week in media relations. I worked a lot on writing bio updates for the baseball and track pages on wakeforestsports.com. That was pretty challenging because it required that I familiarize myself with the terminology of sports that I had never really had to write about before.
I also finally finished my second article for wakeforestsports.com, which can be found at the below link. I'm not as proud of this article for some reason. I struggled to figure out how to put all of the information that the subject had given me into an interesting format. I also found it difficult to stylize the article because I was so focused on getting the information into it. It turned out alright though! I'm still waiting for my next assignment, but I'm pretty sure this one will be someone involved in golf. Luckily, I am more familiar with golf than javelin and baseball.
Until next time,
Calais
Friday, September 17, 2010
Week in Review
On Tuesday I didn't go into the office because I went to see John Grisham participate in a panel at Wait Chapel.
On Wednesday I started writing the updates for the women's track team bios for the website. They ended up taking a VERY long time, as we have a very talented group of athletes! However, I was able to finish all of the women by Thursday. I also interviewed my subject for my next feature for the website on Wednesday. He (there's a hint!) was incredibly nice and so easy to talk to. Still haven't quite figured out my angle for the piece yet, but I'm sure something will come to mind once I transcribe his quotes. On Thursday I spent the entire time finishing up those track bios and then I did not go in today.
Wake is playing football at Stanford tomorrow night so be sure to tune in and cheer on our demon deacons!
Until next week,
Calais
On Wednesday I started writing the updates for the women's track team bios for the website. They ended up taking a VERY long time, as we have a very talented group of athletes! However, I was able to finish all of the women by Thursday. I also interviewed my subject for my next feature for the website on Wednesday. He (there's a hint!) was incredibly nice and so easy to talk to. Still haven't quite figured out my angle for the piece yet, but I'm sure something will come to mind once I transcribe his quotes. On Thursday I spent the entire time finishing up those track bios and then I did not go in today.
Wake is playing football at Stanford tomorrow night so be sure to tune in and cheer on our demon deacons!
Until next week,
Calais
Monday, September 13, 2010
Short, but Sweet
Today, I was only in the media relations office for an hour. One of the people in the department is having me work on writing bios for the new members of the track and field team. It's pretty easy to do because the athletes filled out questionnaires similar to those that I used to write the staff/administrator bios earlier on in the semester. This format is different though; the athlete bios aren't really in complete sentences.
Once I finished working on those, I was done for the day. I am going to start updating the old team members' bios with stats and information from last year as soon as we get an updated roster from the coach.
Yesterday I took some time to come up with some questions for the subject of my next feature for wakeforestsports.com. He's a pretty interesting guy so it wasn't too difficult to do.
Until next time,
Calais
Once I finished working on those, I was done for the day. I am going to start updating the old team members' bios with stats and information from last year as soon as we get an updated roster from the coach.
Yesterday I took some time to come up with some questions for the subject of my next feature for wakeforestsports.com. He's a pretty interesting guy so it wasn't too difficult to do.
Until next time,
Calais
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Wake vs. Duke
So as I mentioned before, I had the opportunity to assist the media relations department in their game day operations for the Wake vs. Duke game this weekend.
I first arrived at the stadium at approximately 9:45 a.m. and headed up to the press box on the 6th floor of Deacon Tower at BB&T Field. I'm not quite sure why my supervisors had me get there that early because in all honesty, I just sat there killing time and watching ESPN Game Day until kick-off. Once it got closer to game time, I went up on the camera deck on the top of Deacon Tower to watch the pre-game show and the special fly-over that they had. I then sprinted back down to the press box to help one of the media relations people take account of 'participation'. 'Participation' is all of the players that make it onto the field during the game. The hardest part about that was being able to see the numbers on the jerseys from all the way up in the box every time a new player came onto the field. It was a very short task though because, after all of the different teams (offensive, defensive, special teams, kick-off, etc.) make it onto the field once, the players that are participating don't really change.
My next responsibility was to write short play-by-play recaps of all successful touchdown drives. Considering that the game ended up being the 2nd highest scoring game in ACC history (the final score was 54-48), giving short recaps of every touch down as actually a hefty task. I have put my play-by-play below for anyone who is interested in how each of the touchdowns, both by Wake and Duke, were achieved... or if you just want to see my attempt at football writing!
I pretty much did the touchdown recaps for the rest of the game without much else to worry about. I did have to keep tabs on participation just in case new players made it out onto the field, but that was very rare.
Once the game was over, I rushed down to the media room in Bridger Field House to prepare for Jim Grobe's post-game press conference. I had already set up the tripod before the game, so it wasn't too difficult to set up. The only issue was that I had approximately 10-15 minutes to get down to the Field House with the elevators for Deacon Tower being hogged by the rest of the patrons in the tower. I definitely do not recommend trying to sprint through a crowd, with a video camera bag, on a rainy day. Definitely risked some lives (including my own) in pursuit of the media room.
My job during the press conference was just to man the video camera so that media relations could post the footage (and quotes) as soon as possible after the presser's completion. The presser lasted about 15 minutes and Grobe answered the questions with humor, eloquence and thought. I was very impressed with his ability to answer the reporters in a way that suggested both humility and pride.
Once the presser was over, I made my way back up to the press box to hand off the footage I had gotten then finished writing my touchdown recaps. Once I finished doing that, everyone else had attacked the other post-game tasks (like transcribing player interview quotes and crunching stats numbers), so I was able to go home.
Parts of me had missed the tailgating and being a real student at the game, but considering the bad weather (it rained the whole time) and how awesome the experience was, I know that it was all worth it. My time in the press box actually made me realized that football is definitely where I want to be (ideally) if I pursue a career in sports media relations. I just get much more into it than I do any other of the big three sports and I can see myself being passionate about it forever. Though I am definitely going to have to work on abiding by the 'no cheering in the press box' rule. I definitely ran the risk of getting kicked out a few times.
This week, I will be working on writing my next feature story for the website about the VERY exciting individual I mentioned in my last post. I'll keep you updated if anything notable happens when I go into the office tomorrow!
Until then,
Calais
Game Day Play Breakdowns
Within the first three minutes of the first quarter, the Deacons drove into Blue Devil territory with several short passing plays before Ted Stachitas faked the option and ran 23 yards untouched into the end zone.
Duke scored with 7:37 left in the quarter after two short running plays from Desmond Scott and a 12-yard pass to Vernon left the Blue Devils at first and goal on the Deacons’ 8-yard line. A quarterback draw by Brandon Connette brought the Blue Devils to second and goal at the Deacons’ 4-yard line before Connette faked the hand-off, broke a tackle at the two and ran for the touchdown.
Duke brought the score to 14-7 with 3:26 left in the quarter after Sean Renfree went five-for-five for 68 yards, landing Duke on Wake’s 10-yard line. Connette then took over for a play before Renfree returned to the field to throw a 6-yard pass to Cooper Helfet in the end zone for the touchdown.
Wake brought the score to 14-14 at the beginning of the second quarter when Chris Givens picked up the Duke punter’s dropped snap and ran 18 yards uninterrupted into the end zone.
The Deacons embarked on their third successful drive to the end zone after Hunter Haynes tipped off Donovan Varner’s pass at the Deacons’ 17-yard-line and Alex Frye intercepted the pass. Tanner Price continued the drive with a career-high 48-yard pass and subsequent 15-yard pass, both completed by Givens, leaving Wake on Duke’s 13-yard line. Price then faked off to the left, bringing the Deacs to Duke’s 1-yard line, before taking the ball into the end zone on a quarterback sneak.
The Blue Devils tied the game once again at 21-21 after a 23-yard return by Juwan Thompson brought Duke to Wake’s 30 yard line.
Wake Forest brought the score to 28-21 with 7:39 left in the half after Stachitas pitched the ball to Marshall Williams, who threw an 81-yard pass completed by Givens for the touchdown. Williams’ pass was the longest touchdown pass by Wake Forest in BB&T Field history and third longest in Wake Forest football history. This is also the first time that Wake Forest has ever had two passing plays over 80 yards in a season, with the first one being Devon Brown’s 85-yard catch during the fourth quarter of Wake’s winning game against Presbyterian College on Sept. 2.
Wake Forest scored once again on a two-play scoring drive that began when Frye intercepted a pass intended for Kelly at the 44-yard line and drove the ball 28 yards on the return to Duke’s 16-yard line. A pass from Price completed by Williams brought the score to 35-21 with 5:17 left in the half. The 28 points scored in the second quarter tied Wake Forest’s record for number of points scored in one quarter.
Scott completed Duke’s five-play drive into Deacon territory with a 63-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 35-28 with 2:43 left in the first half.
Duke tied the game at 35-35 after a 31-yard pass completed by Scott at the 13-yard line led to a 13-yard touchdown pass from Renfree to Kelly with 41.3 seconds left in the half.
The Deacons made the first touchdown of the second half after Devon Brown’s 43-yard return on Duke’s punt led to a 38-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Price to Marshall Williams. The Deacon holder mishandled the snap for the field goal attempt leaving the score at 41-35 with 8:12 left in the third quarter.
Duke brought the score to 41-38 with 3:13 left in the third quarter with a 6-play, 11-yard drive that ended with a successful 46-yard field goal by Will Snyderwine.
With 13:58 left in the game, the Deacons completed a 10-play, 73-yard drive to the end zone with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Price to Danny Dembry. The touchdown, which brought the score to 48-38, was the first of Dembry’s career.
Duke completed a 14-play drive into Deacon territory with a successful 38-yard field goal by Snyderwine, bringing the score to 48-41 with 8:45 left in the game.
Wake Forest scored its third touchdown of the half at 2:53 after Chris Givens completed a 19-yard pass to bring the Deacons to first and goal. Devon Brown finished the Deacons’ 13-play, 79-yard drive with a 6-yard run into the end zone. The field goal attempt on the play was unsuccessful due to a bad snap, leaving the score at 54-41.
After a 12-yard return on Popham’s kick, Duke scored the last touchdown of the game with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Renfree to Conner Vernon, leaving the score at 54-48. Wake Forest’s eight touchdowns in the game are the most ever scored by the Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. The combined score of the game, 102, beat the combined score record for BB&T Field by 15 points.
Wake Forest’s win over Duke marks the first time ever in University history that the Deacons have scored over 50 points in two consecutive games. It is the first time since 1990 that the Deacons have scored over 50 points twice in the same season. Wake’s win also marks the second highest scoring game in ACC history, the record being Clemson’s win over Wake Forest 86-14 on October 31, 1981 at Clemson.
Wake Forest will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 18 when it travels to Palo Alto, Calif. to take on Stanford. Kick-off is set for 11:15 p.m. EST. The game will be televised by ESPN 2 and can also be heard on the Wake Forest ISP Sports Radio Network.
I first arrived at the stadium at approximately 9:45 a.m. and headed up to the press box on the 6th floor of Deacon Tower at BB&T Field. I'm not quite sure why my supervisors had me get there that early because in all honesty, I just sat there killing time and watching ESPN Game Day until kick-off. Once it got closer to game time, I went up on the camera deck on the top of Deacon Tower to watch the pre-game show and the special fly-over that they had. I then sprinted back down to the press box to help one of the media relations people take account of 'participation'. 'Participation' is all of the players that make it onto the field during the game. The hardest part about that was being able to see the numbers on the jerseys from all the way up in the box every time a new player came onto the field. It was a very short task though because, after all of the different teams (offensive, defensive, special teams, kick-off, etc.) make it onto the field once, the players that are participating don't really change.
My next responsibility was to write short play-by-play recaps of all successful touchdown drives. Considering that the game ended up being the 2nd highest scoring game in ACC history (the final score was 54-48), giving short recaps of every touch down as actually a hefty task. I have put my play-by-play below for anyone who is interested in how each of the touchdowns, both by Wake and Duke, were achieved... or if you just want to see my attempt at football writing!
I pretty much did the touchdown recaps for the rest of the game without much else to worry about. I did have to keep tabs on participation just in case new players made it out onto the field, but that was very rare.
Once the game was over, I rushed down to the media room in Bridger Field House to prepare for Jim Grobe's post-game press conference. I had already set up the tripod before the game, so it wasn't too difficult to set up. The only issue was that I had approximately 10-15 minutes to get down to the Field House with the elevators for Deacon Tower being hogged by the rest of the patrons in the tower. I definitely do not recommend trying to sprint through a crowd, with a video camera bag, on a rainy day. Definitely risked some lives (including my own) in pursuit of the media room.
My job during the press conference was just to man the video camera so that media relations could post the footage (and quotes) as soon as possible after the presser's completion. The presser lasted about 15 minutes and Grobe answered the questions with humor, eloquence and thought. I was very impressed with his ability to answer the reporters in a way that suggested both humility and pride.
Once the presser was over, I made my way back up to the press box to hand off the footage I had gotten then finished writing my touchdown recaps. Once I finished doing that, everyone else had attacked the other post-game tasks (like transcribing player interview quotes and crunching stats numbers), so I was able to go home.
Parts of me had missed the tailgating and being a real student at the game, but considering the bad weather (it rained the whole time) and how awesome the experience was, I know that it was all worth it. My time in the press box actually made me realized that football is definitely where I want to be (ideally) if I pursue a career in sports media relations. I just get much more into it than I do any other of the big three sports and I can see myself being passionate about it forever. Though I am definitely going to have to work on abiding by the 'no cheering in the press box' rule. I definitely ran the risk of getting kicked out a few times.
This week, I will be working on writing my next feature story for the website about the VERY exciting individual I mentioned in my last post. I'll keep you updated if anything notable happens when I go into the office tomorrow!
Until then,
Calais
Game Day Play Breakdowns
Within the first three minutes of the first quarter, the Deacons drove into Blue Devil territory with several short passing plays before Ted Stachitas faked the option and ran 23 yards untouched into the end zone.
Duke scored with 7:37 left in the quarter after two short running plays from Desmond Scott and a 12-yard pass to Vernon left the Blue Devils at first and goal on the Deacons’ 8-yard line. A quarterback draw by Brandon Connette brought the Blue Devils to second and goal at the Deacons’ 4-yard line before Connette faked the hand-off, broke a tackle at the two and ran for the touchdown.
Duke brought the score to 14-7 with 3:26 left in the quarter after Sean Renfree went five-for-five for 68 yards, landing Duke on Wake’s 10-yard line. Connette then took over for a play before Renfree returned to the field to throw a 6-yard pass to Cooper Helfet in the end zone for the touchdown.
Wake brought the score to 14-14 at the beginning of the second quarter when Chris Givens picked up the Duke punter’s dropped snap and ran 18 yards uninterrupted into the end zone.
The Deacons embarked on their third successful drive to the end zone after Hunter Haynes tipped off Donovan Varner’s pass at the Deacons’ 17-yard-line and Alex Frye intercepted the pass. Tanner Price continued the drive with a career-high 48-yard pass and subsequent 15-yard pass, both completed by Givens, leaving Wake on Duke’s 13-yard line. Price then faked off to the left, bringing the Deacs to Duke’s 1-yard line, before taking the ball into the end zone on a quarterback sneak.
The Blue Devils tied the game once again at 21-21 after a 23-yard return by Juwan Thompson brought Duke to Wake’s 30 yard line.
Wake Forest brought the score to 28-21 with 7:39 left in the half after Stachitas pitched the ball to Marshall Williams, who threw an 81-yard pass completed by Givens for the touchdown. Williams’ pass was the longest touchdown pass by Wake Forest in BB&T Field history and third longest in Wake Forest football history. This is also the first time that Wake Forest has ever had two passing plays over 80 yards in a season, with the first one being Devon Brown’s 85-yard catch during the fourth quarter of Wake’s winning game against Presbyterian College on Sept. 2.
Wake Forest scored once again on a two-play scoring drive that began when Frye intercepted a pass intended for Kelly at the 44-yard line and drove the ball 28 yards on the return to Duke’s 16-yard line. A pass from Price completed by Williams brought the score to 35-21 with 5:17 left in the half. The 28 points scored in the second quarter tied Wake Forest’s record for number of points scored in one quarter.
Scott completed Duke’s five-play drive into Deacon territory with a 63-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 35-28 with 2:43 left in the first half.
Duke tied the game at 35-35 after a 31-yard pass completed by Scott at the 13-yard line led to a 13-yard touchdown pass from Renfree to Kelly with 41.3 seconds left in the half.
The Deacons made the first touchdown of the second half after Devon Brown’s 43-yard return on Duke’s punt led to a 38-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Price to Marshall Williams. The Deacon holder mishandled the snap for the field goal attempt leaving the score at 41-35 with 8:12 left in the third quarter.
Duke brought the score to 41-38 with 3:13 left in the third quarter with a 6-play, 11-yard drive that ended with a successful 46-yard field goal by Will Snyderwine.
With 13:58 left in the game, the Deacons completed a 10-play, 73-yard drive to the end zone with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Price to Danny Dembry. The touchdown, which brought the score to 48-38, was the first of Dembry’s career.
Duke completed a 14-play drive into Deacon territory with a successful 38-yard field goal by Snyderwine, bringing the score to 48-41 with 8:45 left in the game.
Wake Forest scored its third touchdown of the half at 2:53 after Chris Givens completed a 19-yard pass to bring the Deacons to first and goal. Devon Brown finished the Deacons’ 13-play, 79-yard drive with a 6-yard run into the end zone. The field goal attempt on the play was unsuccessful due to a bad snap, leaving the score at 54-41.
After a 12-yard return on Popham’s kick, Duke scored the last touchdown of the game with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Renfree to Conner Vernon, leaving the score at 54-48. Wake Forest’s eight touchdowns in the game are the most ever scored by the Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. The combined score of the game, 102, beat the combined score record for BB&T Field by 15 points.
Wake Forest’s win over Duke marks the first time ever in University history that the Deacons have scored over 50 points in two consecutive games. It is the first time since 1990 that the Deacons have scored over 50 points twice in the same season. Wake’s win also marks the second highest scoring game in ACC history, the record being Clemson’s win over Wake Forest 86-14 on October 31, 1981 at Clemson.
Wake Forest will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 18 when it travels to Palo Alto, Calif. to take on Stanford. Kick-off is set for 11:15 p.m. EST. The game will be televised by ESPN 2 and can also be heard on the Wake Forest ISP Sports Radio Network.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Quick Internship Update
Finished writing and posting bios today and received my next feature topic for wakeforestsports.com! This next one is going to be so much fun to write, but I'm not going to lie... my subject is going to be VERY intimidating to interview! Not going to spoil the surprise, but just a hint... he has degrees from Yale, Teacher's College at Columbia College and... oh yes, a JD from Columbia as well.
And I just found out some of what I'll be doing at the game this weekend! I'm still sad that I'll be missing out on all the fun at the tailgates, but I'll be assisting in keeping track of which players play, writing touchdown rundowns (overviews) for the website and possibly writing down quotes during the post-game press conference.
It's going to be a whirlwind day, but I'm looking forward to the experience and the challenge.
Until this weekend!
Calais
And I just found out some of what I'll be doing at the game this weekend! I'm still sad that I'll be missing out on all the fun at the tailgates, but I'll be assisting in keeping track of which players play, writing touchdown rundowns (overviews) for the website and possibly writing down quotes during the post-game press conference.
It's going to be a whirlwind day, but I'm looking forward to the experience and the challenge.
Until this weekend!
Calais
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Published!
Here is the link to my first feature for wakeforestsports.com:
http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-xc/spec-rel/090810aab.html
It is currently the first story to appear on the home page! So excited that I was able to pull through on the assignment and give my supervisor exactly what he wanted. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have a few bylines floating around the internet.
Yesterday and today were mostly spent entering team schedules for the year in excel so that they could be uploaded to the website for people to download to their outlook calendars. Each individual team has a schedule that can be added to an outlook, for those who just want the tennis schedule or the football schedule. Then there is a master schedule that is sorted by date that can be put into outlook as well; this one has every single male and female sport at wake forest's schedule on it. Kind of a neat concept for super-deacon fans!
I also spent some time today going through the online staff directory to see who doesn't have a bio page. For those that don't have one, I created a page with their headshot and title so that once they fill out their bio questionnaire, I can go in and just enter the information.
I'm going back in tomorrow to finish going through the bios. Not sure what else I will be doing, but word on the street is that I'll be doing some writing this weekend during the football game. I'm sad that I'll be missing out on another fun tailgate, but I definitely wanted to work during at least one game this season and this is the one that fit my schedule/prior obligations the best.
If anything exciting happens tomorrow, I'll let you know!
http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-xc/spec-rel/090810aab.html
It is currently the first story to appear on the home page! So excited that I was able to pull through on the assignment and give my supervisor exactly what he wanted. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have a few bylines floating around the internet.
Yesterday and today were mostly spent entering team schedules for the year in excel so that they could be uploaded to the website for people to download to their outlook calendars. Each individual team has a schedule that can be added to an outlook, for those who just want the tennis schedule or the football schedule. Then there is a master schedule that is sorted by date that can be put into outlook as well; this one has every single male and female sport at wake forest's schedule on it. Kind of a neat concept for super-deacon fans!
I also spent some time today going through the online staff directory to see who doesn't have a bio page. For those that don't have one, I created a page with their headshot and title so that once they fill out their bio questionnaire, I can go in and just enter the information.
I'm going back in tomorrow to finish going through the bios. Not sure what else I will be doing, but word on the street is that I'll be doing some writing this weekend during the football game. I'm sad that I'll be missing out on another fun tailgate, but I definitely wanted to work during at least one game this season and this is the one that fit my schedule/prior obligations the best.
If anything exciting happens tomorrow, I'll let you know!
Monday, September 6, 2010
First Major Internship Project
So, as I have stated in my first few entries, one of the main responsibilities that my new internship supervisor wants me to take on is writing feature stories for the Wake Forest Sports website: www.wakeforestsports.com.
Last week, I sat down with my first subject, a WFU cross-country runner who competes internationally in triathlon. I know a lot of people who compete in triathlons, but I never really knew how the sport worked and how people even know where to go to compete, etc. I learned a lot about it throughout my conversation with my subject and am definitely looking forward to seeing how he performs both in his upcoming race this weekend and in the 2012/2016 Olympics if he qualifies.
The point of this blog entry? To tell you how excited I am that I just finished my first draft! For some reason I had writer's block all weekend and just could not formulate a good angle or format for the story. However, I was finally able to sit down and turn his quotes into prose tonight and I am really looking forward to my supervisor's feedback tomorrow.
I don't want to spoil the excitement by putting the article up just yet! But once it's up on the website, I'll provide the link.
Until then,
Calais
Last week, I sat down with my first subject, a WFU cross-country runner who competes internationally in triathlon. I know a lot of people who compete in triathlons, but I never really knew how the sport worked and how people even know where to go to compete, etc. I learned a lot about it throughout my conversation with my subject and am definitely looking forward to seeing how he performs both in his upcoming race this weekend and in the 2012/2016 Olympics if he qualifies.
The point of this blog entry? To tell you how excited I am that I just finished my first draft! For some reason I had writer's block all weekend and just could not formulate a good angle or format for the story. However, I was finally able to sit down and turn his quotes into prose tonight and I am really looking forward to my supervisor's feedback tomorrow.
I don't want to spoil the excitement by putting the article up just yet! But once it's up on the website, I'll provide the link.
Until then,
Calais
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Internship Day 2
Yesterday was another pretty exciting day at my internship in WFU's athletic department. As I said the other day, I wrote about 10 bios for some of the Wake athletic staff that were to be put on the website. When I arrived at the office yesterday, my supervisor gave me a few corrections for the bios then taught me how to upload all of the bios to the website.
Wake's athletic department website is run through Netitor, a web manager that already seems to be easier to use and more efficient than the one that I was using at Turner. (I will never forget the day that the Turner press site manager was down because it was also the day that TWO really important press releases needed to be posted). Anyway, that is neither here nor there. Netitor is extremely simple to use and was also very fast.
First, I uploaded all of the headshots of the individuals whose bios I was creating. Then, with each picture I filled out an information page that included a large block of space for the bio I had written. Once I finished doing all of these, I had to get the links to these bio pages attached to the individuals' names on the staff directory page. This is where the fun began!
My supervisor taught me how to do some basic HTML coding that would allow me to create the aforementioned link for each of the staff bios. I had never done any HTML coding before, but it reminded me a lot of the basic computer programming that we were taught in elementary and middle school. Once I did a few, I got the hang of what needed to be done for each of the staff members so that the correct link would be attached to their name on the staff directory page. I'm really glad I got to learn some basic HTML coding and I hope I get to use it some more. I know that will be practical in the future.
I am not going in for my internship today because the media relations team is over at BB&T field getting set up for the football game against Presbyterian tomorrow. I will be going in tomorrow though to interview a cross-country runner who has been participating and dominating in many international triathlons. I'm excited to get started on writing features for the website; writing feature stories is probably one of my favorite things to do. I'm nervous though because I'm not sure the angle that I should take for this story. Hopefully it will come to me during my interview with this guy!
Until next time,
Calais
Wake's athletic department website is run through Netitor, a web manager that already seems to be easier to use and more efficient than the one that I was using at Turner. (I will never forget the day that the Turner press site manager was down because it was also the day that TWO really important press releases needed to be posted). Anyway, that is neither here nor there. Netitor is extremely simple to use and was also very fast.
First, I uploaded all of the headshots of the individuals whose bios I was creating. Then, with each picture I filled out an information page that included a large block of space for the bio I had written. Once I finished doing all of these, I had to get the links to these bio pages attached to the individuals' names on the staff directory page. This is where the fun began!
My supervisor taught me how to do some basic HTML coding that would allow me to create the aforementioned link for each of the staff bios. I had never done any HTML coding before, but it reminded me a lot of the basic computer programming that we were taught in elementary and middle school. Once I did a few, I got the hang of what needed to be done for each of the staff members so that the correct link would be attached to their name on the staff directory page. I'm really glad I got to learn some basic HTML coding and I hope I get to use it some more. I know that will be practical in the future.
I am not going in for my internship today because the media relations team is over at BB&T field getting set up for the football game against Presbyterian tomorrow. I will be going in tomorrow though to interview a cross-country runner who has been participating and dominating in many international triathlons. I'm excited to get started on writing features for the website; writing feature stories is probably one of my favorite things to do. I'm nervous though because I'm not sure the angle that I should take for this story. Hopefully it will come to me during my interview with this guy!
Until next time,
Calais
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
