Virgin coverage

[the_rookie]

I'll be covering my first game with other daily media that are far more experienced than I. It's not a beat, but a special game (hockey).

Some questions:
1. What time should I arrive?
2. Should I grab a pro and just tag along?
3. Introduce myself to everyone in the press box?
4. Food? I think I'll just go with the flow...
5. Keep my mouth shut during post-game, right? Unless I can think of a good question, I won't say anything. I might interview someone who is free, though. Get my nose dirty.
6. Although it's not a beat, should I be kind and offer my seat to writers on deadline (I'm monthly, but my deadline is still the next day)?
7. What do I do between periods?
8. If people start leaving early (say, one minute left), should I follow them to the rooms?
9. Let the TV folk go first, right?
10. Anything else...

 

[linotype]

Outing alert -- the_rookie is:

 

[Point of Order]

11. Be quiet. Watch and learn. Don't ask so many questions.

 

[imjustagirl2]

The Lord loves a working man, don't trust whitey, see a doctor and get rid of it.

 

[Clever username]

Make sure you walk across the team logo in the middle of the floor of the locker room. Several times. Maybe grind a heel into it or hock a loogey on it. The greener the better.

 

[Appgrad05]

I'll be covering my first game with other daily media that are far more experienced than I. It's not a beat, but a special game (hockey).

Some questions:
1. What time should I arrive?
2. Should I grab a pro and just tag along?
3. Introduce myself to everyone in the press box?
4. Food? I think I'll just go with the flow...
5. Keep my mouth shut during post-game, right? Unless I can think of a good question, I won't say anything. I might interview someone who is free, though. Get my nose dirty.
6. Although it's not a beat, should I be kind and offer my seat to writers on deadline (I'm monthly, but my deadline is still the next day)?
7. What do I do between periods?
8. If people start leaving early (say, one minute left), should I follow them to the rooms?
9. Let the TV folk go first, right?
10. Anything else...

1. 90 minutes before faceoff is sufficient to be in the building
2/3. Don't be "that guy." Don't talk just to talk.
4. Go with it.
5. Again, don't talk just to talk. If you have a question you need answered, ask it.
6. They have their own seat.
7. You eat, you chit chat, you watch TV, you play on the Internet, you join a circle jerk. Go with the flow.
8. At my NHL city, we generally all leave in a huge cluster**** with about 30 seconds left (if the game is decided). When everyone else leaves, just follow.
9. No, crush the TV folk out if at all possible.

 

[Shaggy]

I think this guy is the part-timer that's always at my desk when I come into the office.

 

[sportschick]

Outing alert -- the_rookie is:

IIRC, rookie's about 17-18 at most. Don't make him feel bad!!!!

 

[Ledbetter]

11. Stay off your cell phone

 

[Shaggy]

12. Pick up all the media guides and goodies that they have for you, then call your dad and tell him about it loud enough for half the press box to hear.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

Some questions:
1. What time should I arrive?
Get there for the morning skate and stay. See if the equipment guy needs any help sharpening the skates. Good way to make a new friend.

2. Should I grab a pro and just tag along?
Bad form to grab anybody, unless there's a big fight.

3. Introduce myself to everyone in the press box?
Yes, by all means. Offer to run drinks and quotes for them, too. Again, make friends!

4. Food? I think I'll just go with the flow...
Why not bring a hibachi and do some grilling? Everyone loves chicken!

5. Keep my mouth shut during post-game, right? Unless I can think of a good question, I won't say anything. I might interview someone who is free, though. Get my nose dirty.
I still like the idea of asking, "May I quote you?" after every reply. Courtesy like that goes a long way toward making a favorable impression

6. Although it's not a beat, should I be kind and offer my seat to writers on deadline (I'm monthly, but my deadline is still the next day)?
Offering your seat? Talk about making new friends. Stay out of prison, though, son.

7. What do I do between periods?
May I suggest karaoke?

8. If people start leaving early (say, one minute left), should I follow them to the rooms?
Yes, and if they're fakes who scammed a pass to the game because they can't afford tickets, you may follow them to the parking lot, too.

9. Let the TV folk go first, right?
Only in the rest room.

10. Anything else...
If there's a team logo on the floor, make sure you stand in the middle of it so the players know you support their team.

 

[pallister]

1. Ignore 99 percent of everything you read on this thread.

 

[rgd]

13. Relax.
14. Don't cheer.

 

[umiami06]

Some questions:
1. What time should I arrive?
I'd say 60-90 minutes before the start

2. Should I grab a pro and just tag along?
Definitely not.

3. Introduce myself to everyone in the press box?
Maybe the people you are sitting next to.

4. Food? I think I'll just go with the flow...
Eat whatever is free. Take advantage.

5. Keep my mouth shut during post-game, right? Unless I can think of a good question, I won't say anything. I might interview someone who is free, though. Get my nose dirty.
You could make some small chat about the game. I wouldn't be asking too many questions.

6. Although it's not a beat, should I be kind and offer my seat to writers on deadline (I'm monthly, but my deadline is still the next day)?
No, it's your seat.

7. What do I do between periods?
Grab more food. Grab a drink. Surf the internet. Watch TV. Watch the zamboni. Whatever.

8. If people start leaving early (say, one minute left), should I follow them to the rooms?
Yeah, probably a good idea.

9. Let the TV folk go first, right?
Don't worry about them.

Other good advice I saw on here was no talking on cell phone (unless it is extremely urgent or you are talking to your publication). No cheering. And relax and have fun. That's what it's all about.

 

[BillySixty]

I'd just sit back and watch everyone else, but don't stare. I wouldn't go around introducing yourself to people, but feel free to make small talk with them. Make sure you shower and your zipper is up.

When in doubt, find the PR intern and ask him/her what to do.

 

[Dan Hickling]

Perhaps Smasher hit on something without meaning to when he/she mentioned the morning skate...you absolutely should go, if possible...it's a lot more relaxed, give you a chance to set the scene in your own mind...you'll find that the players are really good guys (just make it a mission to ask at least one question...even if it's a follow to someone else's question)....I take it you have a reason for working this particular game, so keep that in focus. You have as much right to be there as anyone else, you just haven't paid any dues, yet. But also, do be careful not to get in the way....remember, we all covered our first big time games, and we all have some embarrassing moments we'd like to forget....be yourself, enjoy the experience, and remember that your dateline is not Baghdad...But yeah, do the morning skate....

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Some questions:
1. What time should I arrive?
Between 60-90 minutes before the game is ample time...

2. Should I grab a pro and just tag along?
It's never a bad idea to follow the lead of someone who has done it before, but make sure you let them do their job.

3. Introduce myself to everyone in the press box?
Uh... No...

4. Food? I think I'll just go with the flow...
Follow the lead of the other writers there.

5. Keep my mouth shut during post-game, right? Unless I can think of a good question, I won't say anything. I might interview someone who is free, though. Get my nose dirty.
Not necessarily, but if you're not working on deadline, be mindful about those who are.

6. Although it's not a beat, should I be kind and offer my seat to writers on deadline (I'm monthly, but my deadline is still the next day)?
Not necessarily.

7. What do I do between periods?
Masterbate.

8. If people start leaving early (say, one minute left), should I follow them to the rooms?
If you're not on deadline, I wouldn't...

9. Let the TV folk go first, right?
Never....

10. Anything else...

 

[Armchair_QB]

2. Should I grab a pro and just tag along?

If you do, make sure you negotiate the price with her first.

 

[Bob Slydell]

The Lord loves a working man, don't trust whitey, see a doctor and get rid of it.

Hey, that's my line!! Well, it's actually Steve Martin's so go ahead.

 

[playthrough]

In all honesty...eat. First time I covered a big game I avoided the spread, feeling self-conscious about sitting down with strangers or convinced I'd make a mess or do something otherwise embarrassing. Hours later, on tight deadline, I could barely think straight from being so darn hungry.