Nice work with your pitches. I know it's not easy to get up and sell a story idea to a dozen people but it's a great way to figure out what you have and what you need to fix, as well as good practice for the future. Some impressive feedback, too. Thoughtful, helpful, and considerate. … Continue reading Week Six: Pitches and Scenes →

Solid questions for, and observations about, Grant Wahl and his visit. One thing he said, in particular, is worth highlighting: "The name SI can get you in the door, but in time what matters are relationships and people and trust. It’s about what you've shown yourself to be." This business is one of accretion: every … Continue reading Week Five →

Follow-ups from class: Now that many of you have preliminary ideas, you should be honing them, testing them, and making sure you're investing your time and energy in a story you care about, can pull off logistically (with regards to access, etc), and has the potential to make you better as a storyteller. This week, please … Continue reading Week Four →

Good seeing all at class. Loved the creativity of your ideas for the scarf and the sad little trophy; I never expected to hear the phrase "the trophy industrial complex". So much potential: millennial expectations and merchandising realities and the psychology of external validation. Likewise, some gold in those 300-word essays. You recognized the elements … Continue reading Week Three: Ideas II and Mina Kimes →

Good seeing everyone on Tuesday. I love the mix of perspectives, backgrounds, and skillsets in the class, as well as the collaborative atmosphere. I've got a great feeling about this semester. Nice work on deconstructing Roy's visit. I was impressed with the range and depth of your observations. Being able to notice, interpret, extrapolate, empathize, follow … Continue reading For Week Two →

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re signed up for the class. Welcome. It should be fun. On the first day, we’ll take an overarching view of sports coverage and talk about storytelling, idea generation, and how to mine your own experiences. Each week thereafter we’ll deconstruct the work of the best in the field, … Continue reading Introduction/First Week →