What I’ve Noticed

in Extra Point/SPORTS by

Shyly sitting in Reilly Center room five, I signed up to do my first story for The Bona Venture newspaper during the welcome week interest meeting in August of 2017.
My assignment: to write about the men’s soccer team, a sport that I knew very little about at the time. But as a scared-to-death freshman looking for any way that I could get involved, I gave it a try.
If there was one thing I remember my parents telling me as I said my goodbyes in the circle in front of Robinson Hall before my freshman year began, it was to get involved and try new things. Branch out. Take risks. And I took that to heart.
I sit here about a year and a half later, writing these words as the sports editor of the BV, pondering something that has bothered me throughout the past two semesters as an editor.
In August, during welcome week, the BV holds an interest meeting. There are ambitious freshmen, sophomores who are realizing that they haven’t made a dent into their internship hours yet (Oh, and 100 of those 400 hours can come on campus) and maybe a few others. The meeting is interesting. Editors help the new writers, assign stories to them, assist them with setting up interviews and more.
Sports, however, always has the biggest turnout. Much of that is because of the basketball teams that we have here. Everyone wants to write about basketball.
And that brings us to why I have been frustrated this year. And before I start, let’s make one thing clear – I am not directing this toward anyone. It’s all based off what I have observed.
Some stories I’ve written are about the men’s or women’s basketball team, while other stories were on St. Bonaventure athletes and teams that don’t receive as much attention from the media.
There are various different media outlets that cover the basketball teams year-round, including the BV. But how many other local media outlets, besides for the Olean Times Herald, cover every single sport at Bonaventure?
Yeah, writing an article about the men’s rugby team may not be as much of a thrill than interviewing a men’s basketball player ahead of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. But from my experiences, those stories are always the best.
The athlete(s) and coaches being interviewed are always welcoming and appreciative, grateful that their team is getting media attention.
Last week I interviewed, Eamonn Matthews, a senior on the rugby team. It was probably one of the best interviews I’ve ever had. It was conversational. It was original. I appreciated it, and so did he.
The same thing could be said about the story I did on the cheerleading team earlier this semester. Before doing the story, I questioned what in the heck I was actually doing. I knew absolutely nothing about the cheer team, and I questioned if people would care to read anything about it.
But yet again, the interview and the story turned out great. Not that it matters a whole lot to me, but cheerleaders and their coach shared the article all over social media.
My JMC 202 professor, Dr. Denny Wilkins, has preached this all semester: Speak for the people that don’t have much of a voice.
As awesome as it is to cover the men’s basketball team all year, there are other sports to cover too. It isn’t all about writing the big story about what goes on with the men’s basketball team.
And this is exactly why I have struggled to find writers. If you haven’t noticed, my name has been all over the sports page this semester. No, I am not doing that out of self-interest and selfishness; it’s because I have actually had to do most of the work.
When new writers come to BV interest meetings, they expect to be given the “big basketball story.” They don’t. Instead, they get a story on women’s soccer or another team. They often write it, get discouraged about all of the edits needed to be made and stop writing after a few weeks. Sometimes just one week.
This is frustrating to see, because sports journalism goes far beyond the “big stories.” I find the most enjoyment in the smaller stories, where the athlete and the team embraces you for taking the time to interview them. I have had that pleasure a lot during my time as a sports writer for the BV, and I am just starting to appreciate that. I’ve built relationships and made connections with many coaches and athletes, which is special to me.
If you’re reading this and want to start writing for the sports section again, give it another shot. Or, if you’re looking to start writing, start now. Any experience you can get is great. You’ll soon realize what I have realized this year. Sports writing can be an amazing thing. You just have to give it a chance.
Get involved. Build connections. Do things you’re uncomfortable with.
I love writing, but I’d prefer not to have my email on the sports page more than twice a week.

By Mike Hogan, Sports Editor

hoganm17@bonaventure.edu