Final Blog

It's the final blog of the semester! Even though I fell behind at times, I still managed to write about the required topics, and I  like being able to just write my opinion to news that is going on around me. The best part about the blogs is that it didn't always have to be strictly news related, keeping it open kept it interesting. By having the option to write about the random topics that come into my head made it fun. I think I have expanded my capabilities as a writer, transitioning from writing mostly sports to more real news. I also feel that I have gained the ability to keep my opinion out and back the facts up with quote, and getting my point across quicker as the semester progressed.

The Dream Job

The first channel I learned when I moved in last year, and probably the only channel I have confidently memorized: ESPN.  Watching ESPN and ESPN2 all day gives me the same message and highlights all day, but it is the different presentations of that news and the different opinions that come with this news that cause me to keep watching. It is people like Skip Bayless, Bill Simmons or Mike Greenberg that make sports journalism so intriguing to me.
It is easy to see Skip Bayless or Mike Greenberg on TV in the morning on First Take or Mike & Mike in the Morning, and their outspoken opinionated ways makes me wish that I could have their job. I used to look at guys like Stuart Scott or John Anderson when I was younger doing SportsCenter, thinking they were sports geniuses knowing all the players stats and history off the top of their head. Now I watch these shows and I debate with the analyst in my head, because like every great sports fan we all have our own opinion.

Witt Vs. Woo

When touring the campus as a prospective student one of the key selling points of Wittenberg is how friendly everyone is. I would agree with this (for the most part), being on such a small campus it is hard to know a majority of the people you see while walking around or at least recognize them well enough to give them a courteous "hello".
When the Wooster Fighting Scots bus pulls into Springfield there is something that changes in the air. It is like the students have a sixth sense about the hatred for their rivals and will do anything to talk trash, disrespect or just annoy the piss out of everyone associated with that school up the road.
Admittedly I will participate in the student section chants and rallies to support the Tigers in any way possible. Watching the blowout of a basketball game I watched as the Witt student section slowly diminished throughout the second half.  With the home team on the verge of defeat I stood by and watched the students continue to give no respect to that school up the road, walking through their cheerleaders in the middle of a routine just to be neusence.

Reflection

In the semester change from beginning journalism to advanced journalism I have noticed that the news is more detailed. The type of writing is more in depth and and we are doing more writing the facts and backing them up with the quotes, making the stories a lot longer. Blogging gave me good writing experience even though I fell behind at time. I look at it as if you keep doing something over and over again you will get better. The few days of twitter news that we attempted I did enjoy, because I think it helped me to keep an eye out for what news was going on around me.

Family, Football & Food!

Thanksgiving may be a very underrated holiday throughout the year and amongst many people, but for me it is one of my favorites. I have seemed to find out that I enjoy it more as I have gone off to school, but this is because I realize how much I like going home and I need a break.
The most important part of Thanksgiving to me is the tradition of the holiday. Every year that I can remember we have had the same meal. The stuffing always has apples and raisens, the sweet potato's have marshmallows on them. My brother and I have been known to question the meal if something is changed. 
After a day of hanging out with the family all day, everyone adjourns to the basement and watches football as they had previously done before dinner. The contemplation of  desert doesn't even set into anyone's mind until at least an hour later and by then we are usually waking people up from their "turkey comas".

Just tell them what they want to hear

With all the recent attacks on campus all Wittenberg can do is tell the media as little as possible until they themselves figure out what is going on, but they tell the students a vague story of what happened and reassure us of our safety.
What has happened on campus is very unfortunate for everyone involved, but I feel for everyone sake the university should just come clean and tell us what is going on. They are actually hurting themselves by withholding information.

Story Ideas

For my story ideas the first one I thought of was Why Witt? Asking students why they come to school here, is it because they could play a sport, they like the campus, it is small enough so they wouldn't get lost in the mix, or simply for the good education.
The second story idea I had was more sports related, but is it time for Edwards-Maurer Field to get new turf? I am not one to be on the field on a regular basis, but as a fan, and being able to see the field from my window it looks worn down and faded.
Should club sports get P.E. credit like varsity athletics? There are teams like rugby, hockey and crew that practice everyday and have seasons in the fall and in the spring, but they don't get recognized for their efforts.

I am going to do my story on club sports getting the P.E. credits.