I covered sports and worked as a sports copy editor for more than 20 years at several newspapers in Florida, including the Fort Myers News-Press, Clearwater Sun, Florida Today and Orlando Sentinel. I started writing for a weekly sports publication in Coral Springs, Fla., at age 15. I have been hooked on sports journalism ever since. I was fortunate to have worked with some amazing editors along the way, journalists who took the time to help me even when my copy was not top-notch. (Perhaps, that is why I now teach journalism at Eastern Illinois University.) I created this website so I can help others in the same manner.
You can also check out my book, THE FIELD GUIDE TO COVERING SPORTS, which will be published by CQPress in early February. The book will be available on Amazon.com.
Feel free to email me at jgisondi@gmail.com with any comments or suggestions.
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 
Hello Mr. Gisondi:
My name is Jarred Powell. I am a sophomore at Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif. I want to purse sports journalism. With that ebing said I have been the sports editor for my school newspaper, The Telescope the past year and a half.
This year, I will be covering the football team for my school and doing features. Long-form sports features actually. This is all new to me so I wanted to ask you for help please?
Absolutely. What questions do you have, Jarred?
Hello Professor Gisondi,
I would like to start out by saying this site is amazing, really, a great resource for an aspiring sports journalist like myself. I put an order in for your book from amazon today! If you wouldn’t mind, I had a few questions regarding the world of sports journalism. Firstly, I’m a senior at the University of Wisconsin majoring in Neurobiology (long story short, I’ve changed my mind and want to pursue a career in sports)and am wondering if it’s necessary I go to graduate school and get a degree in Sports Management if I want to enter the industry. As of now, I’m writing a blog (nickknowsbest44.blogspot.com), co-hosting a sports talk show on my college radio station, doing play-by-play for a couple of badger games as well as interning in public relations for a summer collegiate league baseball team this summer (Madison Mallards). I’m basically the beat-writer for the team and pretty much write everything for the website (mallardsbaseball.com). Anyways, I’m having a a lot of fun with all of it and would love to get a job in sports, just not sure if I will be able to with my background. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.