A Thanksgiving Afterthought

My family is one of businessmen and business ladies.  My grandfather was a longtime employer for Gillette, my father has worked in investment banking for more than 20 years now, and my sister has just earned her CPA after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a Masters in accounting.

Let’s just say when we all sat around the dinner table for Thanksgiving this past Thursday, journalism was the last thing anyone was thinking about, besides me.

My sister, Sarah, doesn’t live at home anymore so my grandfather is always curious as to how she’s doing; if she has anyone special in her life, how work is going, and overall, her life in general.  She responded with a work-related answer, telling him how fortunate she was that her firm accepted her even before she had earned her CPA license, something that many students struggle with after college in trying to find work.

This of course sprouted another conversation, on how one of our cousins has just finished law school, and cannot find a job. As the talk went on, I found myself not focused on the actual conversation at hand, but rather a whole other topic all together.

I thought to myself, how come there isn’t a test to become a journalist? I mean, it only seems logical, right? If there’s an exam that needs to be passed to become an accountant, a lawyer, a doctor, or a teacher, how come there isn’t an exam to become a journalist?

This is a topic that has been brought up in more than one of my classes this semester, yet hasn’t really been discussed upon at length.  Over the past decade or so, in particular with the rapid success of the Internet, more people than ever before are writing.  It doesn’t take much to let your opinion be heard.  Anyone, and I mean anyone, can set up his or her own blog and begin writing about anything he or she pleases, for the whole world to see.

It’s truly a tremendous privilege to have, yet many feel this right has become abused as of late.  While some bloggers do their own fair share of reporting and put out good content, there are some blogs that offer nothing more than an opinion I could have heard from someone at the local bar.  There is no substance, and the content is purely subjective, nothing else.

I understand the concern of many of those people out there, however, I believe they are missing the point.  No, I don’t believe blogging is journalism, but it is certainly a start for many up-and-coming reporters.  Blogging should be used as a tool to sharpen the skill needed as a journalist.  It’s a place to offer your opinion, possibly get blasted for it, and then refine your writing in a way that displays your thought process in ultimately coming to the decision you came to.

It’s nothing more than that, and it doesn’t need to be anything more than that.

I recently read an article by Jay Rosen about the “view from no where,” and his outright disdain for it.  It suggests that,

“Human beings are, in fact, capable of stepping back from their position to gain an enlarged understanding, which includes the more limited view they had before the step back.”

In other words, journalists should expect to be objective in their reporting, in order to “portray a consciousness of the world more fully.”

Rosen rejects this statement, claiming, and I agree,

“Because it has unearned authority in the American press. If in doing the serious work of journalism–digging, reporting, verification, mastering a beat–you develop a view, expressing that view does not diminish your authority. It may even add to it.”

Journalists are going to create their own opinions through their reporting no matter how hard they try, and they shouldn’t be ashamed of it.  Journalists are doing the digging, reporting and verification for a reason, to become a master on the subject so that he or she can write a good report on it.  If in the process, an opinion is thrown out into the article, than so-be it. If the reporter has graduated from journalism school, taken the journalism test, and has years of experience as a reporter, that opinion is warranted.

Wait. But there is no test.

This is exactly what defines the problem that has been developing for years now in the field of journalism.  Bloggers want to be considered journalists, journalists think bloggers have no right to be considered such; it’s a complete mess.  A journalistic exam would rid of this controversy.  You want the title of a journalist, great, pass the exam.

As I said earlier, if there’s a test to become a lawyer, doctor or teacher, there’s no reason there shouldn’t be one to become a journalist. It’s one in the same.

This way, certified journalists would have the privilege of writing objectively, but not feel uncomfortable in offering an opinion on a subject the he or she just spent weeks or months on covering.

The test would also ensure the validity of bloggers.  Bloggers are supposed to write subjectively.  It’s the blogger’s opinions and creative way of thinking that, we, as readers visit their blogs for.  Take Barstool Sports for example.  No one goes to Barstool to read an article of informed analysis on his or her favorite sports team.  They go to Barstool to be entertained.  Take their headliner from over the weekend,

“My Prediction: Michigan 89- Ohio State- 6.”

The self-proclaimed writer, El Prez, is a widely known avid Michigan fan. The predication is ridiculous, yet entertaining, as he even offers some insight as to why Michigan would ultimately beat Ohio State (undefeated) by 83 points.

So, no, bloggers “certainly are not committed to being objective,” as managing editor of the Columbia Journalism Review’s online CJR Daily, Steve Lovelady, points out. But it doesn’t matter.  Bloggers are bloggers and reporters are reporters, yet there is no clear-cut way in distinguishing the two as far as who is a journalist and who is not.  It’s a problem that needs to be fixed, and needs to be fixed now so that the world of journalism can be at peace.  A journalistic examination may just be the solution to this war of words between reporters and bloggers.

ESPN Visit to Amherst

Hillary London, Erin Quinn, and Caroline Steadman, representatives of ESPN’s stats and analysis division, all came to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Wednesday morning to speak to Steve Fox’s sports journalism class.

The basis of their visit was to give some young, aspiring journalists an idea of what they do at ESPN, their path to getting there, and some tips regarding resume builders.

London, who began her career as a field hockey and lacrosse coach at Vassar College in the Hudson Valley of New York, always knew she was interested in sports, claiming she knew she didn’t want to work a nine-to-fine in an office.  The Union alum then went on to coach Salve Regina and Sweet Briar College before finally ending up at ESPN.

London considers herself lucky for, “knowing the right people” to help get her noticed by the major sports network.

Offering a bit of advice to the class, London noted, “sell yourself for that opportunity.” That opportunity referring to the specific job title that you want, rather than a broad description as to why you love sports in general.  Said London, “Tell us those tools that not everyone knows about,” in hopes of separating yourself from a large field.

Erin Quinn and Caroline Steadman, both in their first full year at ESPN, touched about the application process when vying to intern.  The two did well through lengthy interviewing processes, as well quizzes to help earn their spot as intern at ESPN, and now a full-time employee.

One thing that London noted that is important to the interviewing processes, is being able to identify and explain three things about yourself, something that seems simple enough, yet many find difficult in doing.

The lengthy evaluation process begins with a 45-minute e-mail exam, testing the applicant’s sports knowledge on various subjects.  The questions can range anywhere from identifying the misspelling of a player’s name, to specific historical events, to tough baseball questions.

If an applicant passes both the online exam and phone interview, that person is then able to travel to Bristol, Connecticut, ESPN’s headquarters, and spend a day on campus.  There, the applicant gains exceptional knowledge of the day-to-day workings ESPN through a shadow program.

ESPN is very generous throughout the process, providing housing to applicants in their program.

One thing that helped Steadman distinguish herself from the tough competition was her fluidity in the language of Spanish.  ESPN is always looking for diverse individuals, and Steadman’s ability to speak Spanish is helpful in the Deportes network.

Both Steadman and Quinn were also athletes in college, something ESPN looks for in their applicants.  Playing college sports helps develop teamwork, a necessity says London, who admits ESPN is a “people-place.”

The “people-place” atmosphere probably comes from the fact that their major work hours come on weeknights and weekends, a time that most workers in America have off.  It creates a friendly environment as workers are forced to come together and work as a team in crunch time.

Covering The Bases: An Evening WIth Our GM’s

Tuesday night at the University of Massachusetts’s Campus Center Auditorium, the Isenberg School of Management put on “Covering the Bases: An Evening with Our GM’s,” a panel discussion featuring three Major League Baseball general managers, all alumni of UMass.

Ben Cherington of the Boston Red Sox, Chris Antonetti of the Cleveland Indians, and Neal Huntington of the Pittsburgh Pirates all gave their thoughts on their respective paths to the big leagues, as well as offering some advice as to how to become successful in the business world.

Current television personality and reporter for ESPN Boston, Mike Reiss, moderated the panel discussion.

While all three current GM’s have proved successful in the business world, each paid their respects to the Isenberg School of Management, in helping shape them for the real world.

“The small classrooms and small faculty created a unique learning environment,” said Cherington. “The healthy dialogue (that it created) helps you develop relationships with people from different backgrounds.”

It were those small, close-knit classrooms that developed the relationship between Cherington and Antonetti, both members of the class of 1997, and helped form the necessary networking opportunities that is so vital for success in today’s world.

When both Cherington and Antonetti were struggling to find work early on in their careers, it was Huntington, the elder statesmen of the three, out of the class of 1992, who proved helpful to the aspiring baseball minds.

“When we had an opening we reached out to our contacts, the people that we trusted,” said Huntington.

Cherington, who was hired by Huntington to do scouting for a minor league baseball team, admitted although it wasn’t what he had in mind, it was still an opportunity to put his “foot in the door.”

“(Your) first job description isn’t going to be the perfect one,” said Cherington. You’ve got to make some sacrifices to get around the right people.”

“Getting yourself around the right people,” is something that all three GM’s stressed throughout the night, suggesting that taking advantage of certain networking opportunities will help broaden the way one thinks, forcing one to think outside of the box, which will ultimately prepare oneself for the real world.

“Being able to tackle intellectual challenges and engage in intellectual conversations,” is something that Cherington noted as being a vital skill that he learned in the classrooms at Isenberg.

Cherington, Antonetti, and Huntington are all great baseball minds, but have been forced to change the way they think with advent of new ways to statistically score the game, called sabermetrics.  Sabermetrics, a term coined by Bill James, was the basis behind the famous novel and movie, “Moneyball.”

While many people have criticized James’s metrics, Antonetti thinks of it as a positive for baseball.

“It has made highly intelligent, diverse individuals interested in baseball.”

Cherington also touched upon the idea that personality traits, a section from “Moneyball,” can be useful for those GM’s particularly in big markets.

“We know there are certain personality traits that would be helpful in Boston,” said Cherington.  “It’s still hard to figure out how to identify the qualities in those players.”

While the three UMass alumni are currently in three different cities, managing three different baseball clubs, and constantly battling with one another, there is one thing that the three GM’s can all agree upon for now.

“Finding you passion and working exceptionally hard to exceed expectations.”

If the 750 people in attendance can remember the words of these three intelligent individuals, who knows, maybe a few will end up as GM’s, just like Cherington, Antonetti, and Huntington have.

UMass Hockey Defeats Providence, 4-0

Rocco Carzo worked along the boards midway through the second period, battling for the puck in his own zone.  After showing the perseverance and reluctance to give up that is so vital in the game of hockey, Carzo finally won the puck, immediately launching it across ice to a streaking Troy Power.  Power maneuvered his way through the neutral zone into Providence territory, and laid a nice pass off to Colin Shea, who netted his first goal of the season 7:28 into the second period.  The University of Massachusetts had just increased their lead to 2-0.

In front of a crowd of 4,204, the Minutemen (3-4-0, 2-4-0 HEA) put together their most complete performance of the season, beating Providence (4-4-1, 3-3-0 HEA), 4-0, at the Mullins Center in Amherst Friday night.

While it may have looked like UMass’s most complete performance to the rest of us, to head coach John Micheletto, it was just another game for his team.

“It’s funny I don’t know that we were much different tonight than we have been on any other night.  We converted a few more of our opportunities and managed our mistakes a hair better.”

Although the Minutemen were held scoreless in the first period, they did outshoot the Friars, 9-4, and had plenty of scoring opportunities.

When the second period came around, the Minutemen were sure to capitalize on their opportunities, scoring three goals in the second twenty minutes, none more important than forward Michael Pereira’s.

Pereira, who led the Minutemen in goals last season, with 17, had been held scoreless through his first six games.  Finally for the junior, at the 4:27 mark of the second period, a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

“Not that it was on my mind in the first place, I just wanted to play well,” said Pereira.  “Today was the first day that I really felt like I gave what my team needed.”

While Pereira’s struggles certainly have hurt UMass thus far in the young season, coach Micheletto has not been worried, knowing his star player would eventually turn it around.

“Mike’s gone about his business in practice and in games.  He hasn’t cut corners, he hasn’t let it impact who he is, so I think he’s handled it very well,” said Micheletto. “We just kind of kept telling him, keep playing the way you’re playing, the opportunity is going to come.”

Not only was Friday night’s contest a huge confidence booster for Pereira, but for the entire UMass team as a whole, who have struggled to hold leads this season.

“In between the second and the third we wanted to prove to people that we could finish hockey games, and I think we did good job of that,” said forward Troy Power. “What happened in the past is something that we’re going to have to put behind us, and use it as a learning experience.”

The Minutemen will look to continue their momentum when they travel to the University of Maine to take on the Black Bears at 7pm next Friday night in Orono.

More Than a Coach

CBS News featured a story on their “60 Minutes” program of long-time St. Anthony High School basketball coach, Bob Hurley, in a wonderfully done videomultimedia piece.  Hurley, the inspirational coach of inner city kids from all over parts of New York and New Jersey for more than 40 years, has become the backbone behind a very small parochial school in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Along with a 13-minute video, cbsnews.com also features a four-page article to go along with another one-minute extra to culminate the multimedia piece.  The written aspect is essentially the script for the video.  Each quote from Hurley can be seen in the written piece, whether it is in the sit down interview with Steve Kroft, or from a clip of Hurley yelling at the top of his lungs to his young players.

I believe this format allows for the written piece to compliment the video extremely well.  The piece was very well written, making the transition from text to video, effortless.  A person visiting the CBS website is able choose to either watch or read, all while getting the same exact information just in that person’s preferred medium.

One thing that stood out to be about the way the piece was written was how it started and ended.  The video begins with the tip-off of the 2011 New Jersey Non-Public Class B championship game between No.1 St. Patrick of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and St. Anthony.  Kroft begins his narration with the fact that St. Anthony has culminated 23 state championships and three national titles with Hurley at the helm, accompanied with other various statistics about St. Anthony.

After a well-done introduction, the story blossoms into more of a background of the school, as well as on Hurley and his coaching methods, but ends right back where it started, at the championship game.  The video shows clips of the fourth quarter, which St. Anthony outscored St. Patrick 23-5 in, en route to a blowout victory for St. Anthony.  The win not only secured the school’s 24^th state title, but its fourth national title as St. Anthony was nationally ranked second in the country, while St. Patrick was the top-ranked team.  I thought this was a very clever way to bring an ending to a story that featured a whole lot more than just the game of basketball.

It told the story of a man who deferred the lucrative offers of college basketball, an opportunity to prove himself to the rest of the world as a basketball coach, because of a private school and a better opportunity for himself, that he believes in.

“I think my wife and I found that over the years you just found so many kids that were here that (when they come into school, you saw something in them,) this potential. And you wanted to see it out.”

Bob Hurley saw something at St. Anthony that was more than just basketball.  It possessed a challenge for himself in attempting to stir inner city kids in the right direction, groom them into promising young adults, and eventually guiding them to a college education.

In Hurley’s 39 years at St. Anthony, the long-time head coach has had only two players not go onto college; truly an amazing statistic for a coach considering the circumstances.

For nearly 40 years, St. Anthony has never received an annual stipend of more than $9,000, an unfortunate problem that many parochial schools have to deal with.

“The school’s financial shortfall $1.2 million each year, and Hurley is the engine that propels the fundraising effort.”

Bob Hurley has not just been a basketball coach at St. Anthony high school for four decades.  He has been regarded as anything from a father figure to a fundraiser, and everything in between.  As Sister Felicia put it best,

“He’s indispensible and in addition to helping us financially, he’s a role model for the kids and a father figure.”

Without the timeless effort that Bob Hurley has put into his basketball team and a tiny parochial school in inner-city New Jersey, there would be no St. Anthony High School.