Ya, I am pumped about it!!!

There has been much surprise and controversy regarding the Denver Broncos 1st round draft pick...but I LOVE IT! Florida's beloved quarterback, 2-time Heisman trophy winner, Tim Tebow is an official Denver Bronco. I LOVE IT!

Yes, they "blew" a very crucial draft pick, after acquiring Cleveland's Browns QB, Brady Quinn and already having Kyle Orton, but Tebow is going to do big things for Denver. I honestly think he will get moved from QB to another offensive position. Tebow is one of those rare, great players that can handle a transition. He has the speed, power and strength, and good head on his shoulders to make it in the NFL. He is a natural born leader and he can and will do good things in his NFL career.

For all the non-excited people about this move, yes, it will also raise more money in ticket sales. Tebow is a market and Denver made a wise move and choosing him.

Tim Tebow...Denver Bronco..I love it! :)

Joe Drape

Joe is the officially the first author I have ever met and what a way to start! His book has been one of my favorite sports stories and I loved it because I am from that part of Kansas and knew some of the kids he wrote about. It was neat to see that Hollywood and money haven't changed him and get his opinions and perspectives on Smith Center. He was approachable and funny and I liked that. He was a chill, down-to-earth guy and I'm glad he really enjoyed doing that story.

It was cool to hear his background and how he came to the Smith Center and the story. I liked that he gave us tips, helpful and encouraging advice, and just his overall experience in this profession. I am grateful for that and it was nice to hear. I did get kind of lost in this speech till we got further into the SC talk, could have done without a lot of his jargon, but I did appreciate the whole presentation.

The question and answer time was favorite part about the whole presentation and it was when we could really see his true personality. I hope to read more stories from him in the future.

Mike Kennedy

To my surprise, I sit by Mike Kennedy on a daily basis during baseball season and didn't even realize, and that his son was also one of my friend's and his apprentice.

I've known the business of broadcast and done some color for Cloud County Community College so I knew some of things involved in this career, but I really enjoyed hearing from Mike and what he does. It was cool to see his passion for this job and that it hasn't changed after so many years and being involved in sports as an athlete and transitioning into this field. There is a lot of work that goes into broadcasting a game, especially at this level of sports, and I admire that he still loves doing it. Who knew how much prepping and planning had to be done?! I'm glad to hear baseball is his favorite to cover because it is my favorite to cover as well and I think he is very good and his passion is shown in each broadcast.

He is good, I enjoy listening to him, and am now definitely going to appreciate hearing from him more for the rest of the season.

Larry Rankin/SID Visit

StephenyThis was by far my favorite tour we have done for the semester and will be my favorite for the class. I enjoyed getting to see first hand what the people, in the career I want, do on a daily basis. It really got me pumped and I really respect and like what our on WSU office does.

I had no idea they handled the sports museum in KOCH arena and gathered all the data for it. It was cool to see it because I had never seen it nor really been in KOCH much.

I didn't realize how much the college supported the athletes outside of sports and yes, it's unfair that they get special treatment while other students are pretty much sink or swim, but they do have to deal with a lot of traveling, practices, games, and trying to get through school so it does end up balancing out.

A lot goes into putting a game together and I really can't wait to see it all happen next season in volleyball and basketball and appreciate all the hard work that the media goes through.

I love everything about this career and was very pleased with the tour and to see how everything works here at WSU.

Sports Panel Discussion

I thought it was so cool to be able to sit down and talk with Bruce, Jim, and Chris. It was really neat to see them all off camera. I enjoyed how unique their stories were on how they made it and how they perceive broadcasting now compared to when they first started.

I really enjoyed Jim's honesty and how he really could be doing something else besides reporting on sports because that's what I want to do with my career and I hope that's not how I feel when I'm tenured. Chris was fun and animated as usual and I love that he can't run a camera and refuses too!

Chris definitely has the least amount of experience, but I like that he still has the passion and drive to keep going in this industry that is always changing.

I think that they all had a good point that this industry is different today and it will probably be different 5 years from now when we are all embarking into our own careers. It was very cool to hear from these 3 highly respected professionals who have inspired and shaped what I believe to be what a sports reporter is.

Bye Bye Brandon Marshall!!

Denver has definitely seen better days and gone through many changes in the last season. With the lose of legendary coach Mike Shanahan to the Redskins, Jay Cutler to the Bears, and the newest addition to the Bronco roster, Brady Quinn, it's no surprise that there is more deal making and trading going on with Denver.

There are many mixed emotions from Bronco fans (as I) and Bronco haters on the latest breaking news in the AFC West...Denver has traded Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins. I am personally happy because he didn't want to be there, McDaniel's didnt't want him there, so the team didn't need his bad attitude and drama hanging around. Yes, he is great athlete, but Denver is better off without him. His antics off the field aren't needed in Denver anymore either.

Here's hoping that 2nd round pick will get Denver a better running back and the Brady Quinn will make some big plays for Denver. It will be a trying season, but hopefully, they can still beat KC, Oakland, and San Deigo!

March Madness =KSU in the Sweet 16

.....DOUBLE OVERTIME! This game epitimizes March Madness.

1st off, Frank Martin may kill a ref in this game...! I think if anyone could have fire come out of their eyes, it would be Frank. There definitley should have been a foul called before Merryweather's call..bad call, especially for KSU.

My brackets are shot to crap, I don't know about everyone else but with KU, Cornell, Syarcuse, and Maryland out, I have to root for a fellow Big 12 team and I guess since they are from Kansas, it will do.

This game is insane. Xavier can't miss a 3, Sutton is out, double overtime, fatigued athletes...what's going to happen??!! Let's Go Cats! (this pains me...)

KWCH Visit

That was such a fun experience!!!! I keep thinking I know what I want to do with my future in sports and writing and each visit we go on keeps me wanting to be involved in that field of communications...oh my, but anyways, KWCH was definitley neat. My highlight was getting the chance to trash Mike's desk..haha just kidding Mike! My personal highlight was getting the oppertunity to sit in on the editor/production/reporters meeting. It was cool to see that they are totally laid back and enjoy their job. I could totally do that for the rest of my life. It reminded me of our newsroom on Friday afternoons at the Sunflower.

I liked getting to see the studio and where everything is taped. I've seen the Fox side, but I had never seen the KWCH side of the studio. It's a lot different then it looks on TV, which was cool. It sucks that some jobs were cut in the because of our technology advances, which also worries me about print writing, but it was also funny picturing that camera rounding a corner and taking an unexpecting person off guard.

The station as a whole was pretty sweet, especially them being one of the best in the State, thats a pretty nice bragging right. I never knew they taped the CatchItKansas show right there in the middle of the room, so that was a random fact I found cool to know.

I agree with what they told us about getting our foot in the door and always looking for an oppertunity to advance. It's about who you know and I think KWCH is a pretty sweet place and would be a cool job.

Kansas Sports Museum = SWEET!!

So I was definitely impressed with the Kansas Sports Musuem. For as young as it is, they have a descent following and lot's and lot's of cool Kansas memorobilla. I personally enjoyed the WSU National Championship video the best. I thought it was cool to see Brummett in his prime moment of his career. It was also cool to see a younger Gene and just the whole video as a whole got me super excited for WSU baseball this season.

I liked all the old Sports Illustrated magazines that hosted Kansas athletes throughout the years (especially all the KU Basketball ones from previous years). I enjoyed going through the 'tmuseum and finding about atheltes that I hadn't even realized were Kansas athletes. I enjoyed seeing pictures and jereseys of student athletes that I did actually know, so that was cool too.

I would definitley like to go back when they bring in the traveling exhibits. It's a cool musuem and I hope that it keeps gaining a following and keep expanding as more and more Kansas athletes keep succeeding.

" Our Boys" A Local Dynasty

I have read some great reads, "Bleachers " By John Grisham is my favorite book by far, but Joe Drape's take on Smith Center's high school football team really got to me. First off, I know a few of the boys personally in that book and the girlfriends of the boys. Smith Center, KS is a good hour from my house growing up and I remember SC always dominating in most sports anyways, specifically football so it was really cool to read a book about them. Second off, it was such a compelling story and made me really appreciate Kansas, especially small town, country Kansas. I'm really excited to meet and talk to Joe Drape now and just get to know more about what he experienced in SC.

What Barta did in SC with stay with that town and those boys and the families involved forever. SC was a dying community and that team gave everyone hope and a reason to get excited for a normally typical Friday night of football, but Barta and the Redmen turned it into something much bigger than just football itself. Who knew a football team could give one little town a second chance at life?!

I loved that Joe actually lived in SC when writing this. I think that made the story that much more meaningful, that he got to see everything first-hand and experience the thrills with the town. I also like that Barta made sure that the boys knew football was a privilage and that school and family always came first. He taught the boys more than just some plays to be ran on the field, he taught them life lessons and that there is more to life than a simple game. I think lots of people nowadays have lost that. People make such a big deal about sports and it was so nice to read that it's still just a game to some people.This story does remind me of Friday Night Lights, just Kansas style.

I knew that they had lost the game, after winning so many, but I was still sad for them when it happened. It's like any good book or movie, you always want the good guys to come through and win, but that's life, sometimes you don't win every single game.

Oh Lutz..!!!

I have read Bob Lutz's stuff for many years now, but I have never met the man or talked to him (besides seeing him at the Eagle on our visit) and meeting him was pretty fun. It was nice to finally put a face to a name and his work.

One of the things that sets Bob apart from other sports writers is definitley his care-free attitude, like what he said, "I don't mind telling it like I think it is." I felt that's a pretty great motto to sum up Bob in a short amount of words.

Bob's been with the Wichita Eagle for 35 years, getting his start as a reporter at the Daily Reporter in Derby, while in high school. Bob ideally wanted to be a baseball broadcaster, but is pretty settled with his gig now. He loves his job in Wichita, and thinks it would be a totally different story with the pros.

"Reporting is a real skill. You make yourself into one," Lutz said on being a journalist. He also stated that Gary Smith was his favorite sports writer. "He writes good opinions, supported by good writing, and good humor," Lutz said.

Lutz also does a radio show now. "It's fun, spontaneous, and a different outlet than reporting or writing," said Lutz.

One of Lutz's most memorable stories he has covered over the years was KU's National Championship game a couple years ago.

"I'm always looking for a good story, that's what reporters do. I feel that there is a story in every person," Lutz said. After saying this, Bob asks for ideas and wants to know about us. It was cool to see what a down-to-earth guy he really is...and get his Marshall reaction!

Bob Lutz, legend in his own and still giving us story, controversey, and laughs day-to-day.

Wichita Eagle Reality Check

This was my second trip to the Eagle and I was over the glitz and glamour that I felt on my last visit. This visit just ensured me that I want to write about sports for the rest of my life, couldn't even imagine doing anything else.

Although the road to being a successful journalist seems gloomy right now, I have high hopes that things will get better. People love sport's and its something that won't be going away anytime soon.

This was Kirk Smirnoffs very first sports writing job and I definitley feel he is so lucky to have gotten the oppertunity to be where he is...it's my ideal job! He gave us some very useful tips on being good sports writers. First step to writing a good story, ask yourself: "Is this approach interesting?" He also told us to be careful with word usage and elminate the word "or" as much as humanly possible.

I thought it was neat to see the whole Eagle and see where the writers work. I enjoyed our speakers and am looking forward to reading more stories in the Eagle. :)

Witherspoon Reaction

I was so impressed and shocked at the same time. First off, I feel horrible for not really knowing anything about VYPE, but since class last week, I have since found and read VYPE (found it at Dillions) and also read it online the archives. I've been impressed by what I have read so far.

For only being local, this magazine sure has a lot to offer in photos, print, and details alone. Editor-in-chief, Tom Witherspoon, has been with the magazine since it's first issue came out back in 2007. Tom worked with the Eagle proir to VYPE and honestley, he had my undivided attention from the second he told us he was an alumni of Notre Dame. Notre Dame was my dream school and I was so jealous when he said he went there. I LOVE Notre Dame...GO IRISH! :)

I really thought his speech was greatly informative because I had no idea what a niche magazine was. I like that its not a typical magazine and that it covers south central Kansas specifically. It sounds like an ideal and fun job, but a ton of work, considering its a small staff size and the fact that you are the editor, writer, photographer..etc.

Tom gave us some really helpful tips and I thought they were really useful and vital to any journalist. First, you have to have skills. So basically, if you can't write, you are in the wrong profession. Second tip, caring about my subject and having a genuine interest in my subject/topic. Both very good tips.

Tom did a great job and I am looking forward to reading the next issue! :)

Super Bowl Sunday..!!

It's almost that time again, time for the Super Bowl and honestly, I'm just hoping for a great game. The Indianapolis Colts are becoming an AFC Dynasty led by their fearless leader Peyton Manning and I personally root for the AFC team that goes to the game if my team...ugh, Denver, doesn't make it, but this year I'm kind of hoping the New Orleans Saints go all the way. They are definitely the Cinderella story of the NFL.

Here's hoping for some good commercials too!