A COLLEGE SUMMARY

The best part of my journalism experience was the exposure to outside sources and the constructive criticism that came with the reporting. I found it extremely helpful to create outlines for various stories and will continue using that tool in the work force. Because JMC majors tend to be exposed to the masses, I believe it is also necessary to understand our rights when we produce news in different mediums.

            Classes that fit these categories tended to be my favorite, but with the heavy material came the stresses of juggling school, Division I athletics, and a social life.

            The spring is a stressful season being in-season and traveling frequently and tends to put strain on time management skills. Thankfully, that was the only low point through my JMC experience. I am grateful to have been put under that stress because I learned how to deal with it and it made deadlines more enjoyable throughout the semester.

            I would have liked to get more real-world experience while in college. Summers were spent in various small towns throughout the country playing baseball and left little time for internships and shadowing professionals. I would have benefitted from more guest speakers, preferably journalists with credentials that I sought in my career such as sports or beat writers.

            Although I feel I could produce quality work for a publication, I do not find myself to be as qualified as I would like to be at this point. Experience, in my opinion, is the only way to cure this dilemma.

Rocky Mountain Senior Games

The Rocky Mountain Senior Games are coming to Northern Colorado. These games, consisting of 25 different sporting events, serve as a qualifier for the biennial Summer National Senior Games. The city of Greeley works in cooperation with the Colorado Senior Sports Development Council to put on this event every year.

The games will be held June 8-12.

Volunteers are still in high demand for these events. If you will be in Greeley this summer get out to the Rocky Mountain Senior Games and check out some competitive athletes and support the northern Colorado community.

The Summer National Senior Games, originally founded in 1985 in St. Louis, did not hold their first games until 1987. The 2011 summer games will be held in Houston with an anticipated attendance of nearly 15,000.

A learning process

I have been following the activities of the leisure services department within the city of Greeley over the past few months. So far, I have written two stories, one in which I followed Interim Recreation Superintendent Kyle Holman around for a day and detailed his day-to-day operations. The second is a profile story on Interim Leisure Services Director Bob Adams and how he came to be in his current position. 

I have learned to pay attention to detail through my reporting, especially during interviews. I want to get the best possible answers from my interviews and providing broad questions to my two story subjects has helped me get some great information. 

I have truly enjoyed the experience of this reporting. The only downside to it, if there was one, would be the accessibility of these city employees. I have had trouble, at times, getting in contact with them and as a result have had to cram reporting into a shorter period than what I had hoped. This is what I need to improve upon in my reporting, but I have also made some great connections through the process, which is something I have done well. 

I wish I had a bit more background on the department before attempting these stories, but I understand that it is all a learning process.

The beginning of something great

The purpose of The Great Outdoors is to inform the community about the work of the Greeley parks and recreation department. I will provide information regarding activities, community involvement and other services that this department provides for Greeley residents. This is my first time covering a beat and therefore that is the only factor that scares me.


My journalism experience has proved to be a grind, but it is also very rewarding. Not only is writing a great skill to possess, but being a proficient writer makes communication much easier and is a lifelong skill that is needed in all types of careers.


This beat will help to inform the community about a department that plays a major role in the vitality of a city. Parks, community centers and recreation facilities promote a healthy lifestyle for all citizens.


My best quality as a journalist is personality and I will bring that into my writing. On the other hand, my biggest weakness is storytelling. I need to use more creative writing to describe settings and the emotions of my subjects.


Blogging is a great way to communicate with a select audience. My other blog, Bloggin' Ball with Brendan Hall allows me to relate to a baseball audience specifically interested in Northern Colorado baseball. I hope The Great Outdoors provides insight into everything related to the Greeley parks and recreation department and the reader gets a better understanding of this department.