Aspire

The most sincerest of apologies to you all as Scribe, despite a quick update over the weekend, was left on the back burner because of duties at Babson and somewhat screwy travel. However, despite the plethora of drafts, the New York Beacon needs its work tonight.

With that said, over the past four years, a lot of people have asked how did I get into sports media (and how Scribe in itself was born) and in the most (in)famous sports market in the world, nonetheless. Since the latest  magazine from the alma mater was finally sent to fellow Babsonians worldwide, there's actually a published word of how I broke in the biz. However, my own path is just one journey into breaking into a passion.

"I entered the sportswriting field shortly after graduating from Babson when I was introduced to the sports editor of The New York Beacon, an African-American weekly newspaper in New York... I have been the paper's primary reporter for the Yankees and the Giants... I also run A Sports Scribe, where I delve into not only games, players and coaches, but also sports business, media and culture."

Most of you may have never heard of mediabistro.com. It's a subscription-based hybrid (on- and offline) community of media professionals where they can not only find job listings, but courses, seminars, news and anything else that can help users build their names and expertise. About two years ago, MB started exploring sports media as the battle between members of traditional media and those of the blogosphere became the prominent story in the ongoing 'war' between both worlds. As it has gained more traction, MB decided to add videos, articles and DIYs about breaking into what is a pretty tough business.

Today, a freelancer for MB, Matt Krumrie, gave users a primer (subscription required) of not only how to get into the business, but more importantly, the skills that are needed now to build your name.

Don't get into sports writing to become friends with the athletes, to get up close and personal with those you cover and write about, or to only cover the Super Bowl, World Series or NBA Finals. While a four-year journalism degree is the best way to get into the profession, internships and real-life experience through a school newspaper, a part-time or full-time opportunity with local dailies or weeklies, or through online media outlets can give you the experience editors crave. Most of all you have to enjoy writing, says Bryan Zollman, 35, co-publisher and news and sports editor for the Sauk Centre Herald in the northwest Minnesota. He covers local sports, with an emphasis on high school sports.

"Chances are when you start out, you will be driving to two or three games a night, catching tidbits here and there, getting a photo here or there," says Zollman. "It is not an easy job. It can be lots of fun if you love to write about sports. But you have to love to write."

John Theriault, 40, of Glendale, Ariz., is a freelance sports writer who has 20 years of experience in the profession and has worked at the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Daily Herald during his career. Theriault says starting out a weekly newspaper, where you are required to be a jack-of-all trades, is a great training ground.

"I can't emphasize [it] enough: Start small," says Theriault. "Cover local sports. Nothing should [be] beneath you doing this. I have covered events from little league baseball up through the professional ranks. A game is a game and a story is a story, no matter where it takes place. Becoming a sports writer to get close to the action and be starstruck is the wrong reason. Be a sports writer because you love sports and love to tell a story."

Sounds good, aspiring scribes?