Keith Gave didn’t know what to expect from Red Wings players when he walked in their locker room for the first time. After all, he was the third writer assigned the hockey beat by the Detroit Free Press in only 18 months. Gave also knew that he was not a hockey expert.
The Red Wings players clearly were not excited about breaking in another writer. Veteran Ron Duguay immediately asked him: “How much do you know about hockey?”
Gave was candid. “Not as much as I should,” he said. “But I learn fast and I’ll work hard. And if I screw up, let me know.”
Gave did labor, learned quickly, and heard when he made mistakes. As a result, he covered the NHL for 18 years.
College sports writers should take Gave’s approach as beats shift toward spring sports. College basketball is marching to its maddening end. The NCAA just announced the qualifiers for the Swimming and Diving Championships set for March 18-20, the same weekend the college wrestling Division I championships take place.
Sports like softball, baseball, track & field, tennis and golf, are just starting. So read archived articles and study press guides, then chat informally with coaches and players. Learn as much about your beat so you can cover it like a pro.
How best to turn yourself from sports fan to professional sports journalist? Quickly moving beyond general guidance about sports writing, Joe Gisondi focuses on the nitty-gritty, with hands-on, practical advice on covering 20 specific sports. From auto racing to wrestling, you’ll find tips on the seemingly straightforward—where to stand on the sideline and how to identify a key player—along with the more specialized—figuring out shot selection in lacrosse and understanding a coxswain’s call for a harder stroke in rowing. Preparing you for just about any game, match, meet, race, regatta or tournament you’re likely to cover, Field Guide to Covering Sports is the ideal go-to resource to have on hand as you master the beat. You can 