I love this stuff

[spud]

I don't know if anybody cares, in which case the mods can promptly delete this sucker, but I wanted to share my enthusiasm with people who at least understand my euphoria.

I'm a young gun, and I spent last weekend in a NFL press box and spent this weekend in a major market college football press box, and I'd like to think I did alright there. I've been trying to figure out if I have any kind of future in such a tough field, but after this weekend I've decided that there is no better job than this one. There are ups and downs, but right now, for me anyway, I'm about as happy as can possibly be with my career choice. Maybe I'll become embittered by the business, but I'll enjoy this while it's here.

Anybody else remember your first experiences in a big time market? Or period? Were you cranked up? I know it's a tough job, the benefits are non-existant and the hours and payscale are pretty ****ty, but would you want to be doing anything else?

Just wanted to share with you guys that I know I wouldn't...

 

[Starman]

The job itself is a blast. It's the bullcrap the bean-counters put us through to DO the job that burns people out and pisses them off.

Enjoy it while you can. It'll be a time in your life you'll never forget.

 

[Cosmo]

spud ... just so you know, there's a ton more to covering a college or pro team than being in the press box on gameday. The first time you spend five hours calling 12 different people trying to nail down that big-name transfer to the school you're covering, you'll understand.

 

[shotglass]

Ease up with the reality check, you two. He's feeling good, so let him feel good about it.

Yeah, spud, it can be a damn nice job more often than not.

 

[spaceman]

the NFL ad link in spud's first post leads to "1000's of dog collars."

hmmmm

 

[Cosmo]

shot, ain't got no problem with the kid feeling good.

His line of "I've been trying to figure out if I have any kind of future in such a tough field, but after this weekend I've decided that there is no better job than this one," gave me pause. He ought to know there's a lot more to this craft than just showing up at games.

 

[spud]

shot, ain't got no problem with the kid feeling good.

His line of "I've been trying to figure out if I have any kind of future in such a tough field, but after this weekend I've decided that there is no better job than this one," gave me pause. He ought to know there's a lot more to this craft than just showing up at games.

Considering that my first ever beat was college equestrian, I think I realize this.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Spud --
Everyone on this board felt the same way you do at some point. Don't let them kid you.

 

[lono]

Spud:

Fenian is right.

It's the best job in the world.

It also happens to be one of the worst businesses, but you can still make it work for you.

 

[Editude]

First big-timer was a radio interview with former baseball manager **** Williams as he passed through, and despite his being a prick I kept with it. There's just something to getting information from those in the know and passing it along.

 

[shockey]

welcome aboard, kid. 8) 8) 8)

 

[User 1019]

Kiss your relationships and social life goodbye.

 

[MCEchan36]

I had been in press boxes before this, but the first time I was at Yankee Stadium as a reporter was nearly a religious experience, especially when I got down to the field after the game with the place completely empty. I was there working on a feature, so I was lucky enough to really take it all in so I don't look & act like a dope when I'm back there again (hopefully on a regular basis... OK, I'm done going through the entire Rosary. Twice).

 

[Cosmo]

spud: College equestrian beat? Yikes.

Anyway, sorry if I pissed on your parade. Not my intention. My first assignment at the college paper was sidebar duty on the big Tech-West Virginia Thursday night game. They needed someone because all of the staffers wanted to get drunk. There was a certain feeling of wow involved, mostly because I'd never even been in a situation where I was interviewing people before. So I know where you're coming from.

 

[expendable]

shot, ain't got no problem with the kid feeling good.

His line of "I've been trying to figure out if I have any kind of future in such a tough field, but after this weekend I've decided that there is no better job than this one," gave me pause. He ought to know there's a lot more to this craft than just showing up at games.

Considering that my first ever beat was college equestrian, I think I realize this.

I wouldn't know where to begin if I had to cover horse jumping. Yep, methinks you've seen the ugly side already.

 

[playthrough]

Good for you, Spud. Just don't get too enamored with the press boxes. I'm amazed at some longtime vets in the business (some, not all!) who cover sports like golf and autos and spend the whole time indoors (granted at an NFL game there may not be anywhere else to go, but you know what I mean). Don't ever lose the enthusiasm to the point that you can't walk around at some point and enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[spud]

Good for you, Spud. Just don't get too enamored with the press boxes. I'm amazed at some longtime vets in the business (some, not all!) who cover sports like golf and autos and spend the whole time indoors (granted at an NFL game there may not be anywhere else to go, but you know what I mean). Don't ever lose the enthusiasm to the point that you can't walk around at some point and enjoy the atmosphere.

It got to the point where, as I was walking back from the press conference in the bowels of the stadium to the box, I just had to stand at the 50 yard line and do a quick 360 of the empty stadium. Honestly, even with all of the BS politicking and everything else that goes hand in hand with this job, the actual dirty work makes up for it.

After having tasted the big time I can take the womens soccer and the softball. Just so long as I know where I'm working towards after college ends, I'm good.

 

[PopeDirkBenedict]

Good for you, Spud. Just don't get too enamored with the press boxes. I'm amazed at some longtime vets in the business (some, not all!) who cover sports like golf and autos and spend the whole time indoors (granted at an NFL game there may not be anywhere else to go, but you know what I mean). Don't ever lose the enthusiasm to the point that you can't walk around at some point and enjoy the atmosphere.

It got to the point where, as I was walking back from the press conference in the bowels of the stadium to the box, I just had to stand at the 50 yard line and do a quick 360 of the empty stadium. Honestly, even with all of the BS politicking and everything else that goes hand in hand with this job, the actual dirty work makes up for it.

After having tasted the big time I can take the womens soccer and the softball. Just so long as I know where I'm working towards after college ends, I'm good.

Standing in an empty stadium or arena and just taking it all in is one of the greatest perks of this job. I remember standing on the edge of the floor of an empty Assembly Hall (IU version) and staring at the banners and taking a deep breath with a smile on my face that stretched from end line to end line. Soak up that feeling, son. Not many people get to experience it.

 

[HejiraHenry]

RFK locker room after a Monday Night Football game suggested to me that I needed to dial it down a couple of notches. What a cluster-****.

 

[KP]

the NFL ad link in spud's first post leads to "1000's of dog collars."

hmmmm

Think he can work at the Plain Dealer?