Students who participate in high school sports do better academically than the general student population. Student-athletes attend school more frequently and are more likely to become leaders after they graduate, according to a study published by the California Interscholastic Federation. Sports programs, the survey further states, cost only about 1 to 3 percent of a school’s overall budget. Why the report? Because the depressed economy has forced many school boards to greatly reduce athletic spending. Here in Illinois, we have as dire an economic forecast as California. Our local school board recently reduced all spending because Illinois isn’t paying its bills. Subsequently, money is not being sent to community school districts. Unfortunately, some school boards do not see athletics as necessary to their education mission. Check out the report, regardless your point of view.
ORDER ‘FIELD GUIDE’
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 click here to learn more about the book or to order a copy.ONSPORTS BLOG
CLICK HERE to read OnSports, a sports blog that offers tips for covering more than a dozen specific sports and ways to improve journalism skills. NewsU, CyberJournalist.net, and the American Press Institute are among the journalism organizations recognizing this blog over the past three years.