thoughtsfromapressbox
Thoughts from a Pressbox
I'm a sports writer just trying to make cool content and write the untold stories from beyond the game, but this is where I write my thoughts that can't go to print.
12 posts
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Last Seen Blogs
Text
Where to begin...?
I truly believe the the hardest part of any great story is beginning.
You have an idea, you come up with all these great topics you want to pursue and projects you want to accomplish but when you really sit down to start planning how to execute said project is all falls apart.
Another problem I have is that I've always been one who enjoys collaborating. I just truly believe is working with others to obtain the most accurate information but the problem I've ran into lately is that by putting my idea out into he world hoping some would reach out and help me, they instead turn around and pursue the concept or idea on their own.
So now that I'm discouraged from working with others I have no desire to share an idea until I know I can pursue it but with a concept in had, I'm terrified to ask for help because I truly do not know where to start... so here I sit in my press box wondering where or where do we go from here...?
0 notes
Text
Here’s to yet another beginning...
Hello there!
If you’ve been following my Tumblr blog here for a while then you know that I often come and go from posting but it has now been a long time since I’ve posted, and although I know I’ve said this before, I’m really back and determined to make something happen with this blog.
I realize people don’t blog and Tumblr as much as they once used to but as I have moved more from the writing side of sports to working as an editor in television morning news, I have been seeking an outlet in which to write about sports once more.
To be completely, honest, I’m not entirely sure what that means.
Am I open to freelance work? Yes, absolutely. I will take and and every opportunity I can to be involved in sports media- whether print, social or video content creation- which business inquiries can reach me at [email protected].
However, since this page is open and established I really want to use it as a creative space to write and create content about sports whenever I feel inspired to do so but since I have left and returned to this blog time and time again, I truly am making a commitment to being more consistent on this page.
If you’re a fan of sports or just looking for someone to talk about/debate with about your favorite sports team, player or topic then I hope you’ll still around and let’s chat.
As always, thanks for being here.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Let’s call it what it is...
(Photo courtesy of: Shot:Clock)
This right here is a very important topic that I have been very vocal about on Twitter over the weekend.
Sunday night’s event was not a “fight” and, better yet, you can’t even call it a competition... and you know why?
Because in order to hold a sporting event of any kind, for starters, you have to have to have a way of scoring in order to determine a winner.
In order for a bout to be considered a real fight, you have to have judges who keep track of the points.
Therefore, we have to call what Sunday’s entertainment really was: A money-grabbing event.
I am tired of these app-sensation siblings coming in and making a mock of athletic competitions because they yelled, pouted, cried, complained and pretty much screamed an outlandish obscene-tantrum until they got an opportunity handed to them.
An opportunity that athletes and true boxers dedicate and pursue, sometimes their entire career for.
Meanwhile, real athletes- true competitors- are blatantly ignored because it is what some people consider not a true sport or because it is a woman’s sport.
For me, the biggest issue lies in that we allow these internet sensations to come in and make a mockery of a sport because they feel some attention is better than none in order to “revive” boxing.
But are they really reviving the sport if nothing about it is true to the athletic endeavor?
NO.
If anything, we are allowing people to pick up this competition as a hobby and bring attention that if you talk enough mess online someone retired or not an expert in the field will come forward for the right price and amuse the idea for entertainment and an easy paycheck.
I’m tired of giving these brothers a pass and air time on actual sports news platforms when they are not true athletes.
They are entertainers, whose fan base is growing up and are becoming less entertained by their stunts so they continue to look for the next money grab and I’m not interested in giving more money to people who don’t truly do anything to earn it.
0 notes
Text
Athletes and Mental Health
In today’s society, there is a lot of pressure when it comes to performing on the professional athletic stage.
In the day and age of social media, athletes now worry about their brand beyond the sport and have added pressures previously not as focused on by other athletes of different eras.
That’s not to say that athletes of those times did not struggle with mental health, they most certainly did because there has always been stress and anxiety that comes with performing on the professional stage.
Yet, with the advancement of the smart phone allowing anyone to film and post game highlights or moments moments after it happens (even live with streaming capabilities) long before sports networks can post and share their professional quality and edited videos, which leaves even less room for error.
Now the top athlete in tennis, Naomi Osaka, spoke out before the French Open to share that she would not participate in the post-game interviews, citing her mental health as a reason.
While Osaka did participate in her post-first round victory interview on the court she did not attend the mandatory news conference which resulted in the governing entities of the four Grand Slams to fine her $15,000.
First and foremost, I do think it is important to note that in terms of press accessibility, these news conferences are deemed “mandatory” as a way to speak with athletes following their performance and are usually cited in the contracts athletes sign as a requirement of participating in the tournaments.
I am not saying I agree with the decision, but am merely pointing out why it is deemed “mandatory.”
Many athletes spoke out via Twitter in support of Osaka after being fined, noting that the forced press conferences around these sporting events are quite “outdated.”
The outpouring of support continued once Osaka announced via Twitter on Monday that she would be withdrawing from the French Open as she did not intend to be a distraction from the tournament and explained the preemptive steps she took to inform the governing powers of the French Open, the media and fans prior of her decision prior to the tournament.
Obviously, one must always put their health first- whether you are a professional athlete or not- and so I understand Osaka’s decision and am pretty appalled that the sport of tennis is not choosing to support its athletes.
On the journalistic side, I understand deadlines, stories and needing the quotes to file your story but perhaps it is time that athletic organizations and athletes come together with the sports media to find a new, innovative way to work in harmony.
But above all, please remember that your mental health is important. Focus and care on your mental health is not a sign of weakness. Take care of yourself above all else.
#sports#sports news#tennis#French Open#Naomi Osaka#sports media#mental health#athletes#athletes and mental health
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
No Schedule
Life never goes according to plan.
You can try to control your destiny as much as possible, but there are some things that truly are out of your control.
All we can do is regroup, refocus and dedicate time to the things that we can control.
It’s interesting how sometimes when your back feels like its pressed up against the wall, that’s when the creativity to pursue what you love really comes through...
And that’s what we’re going to do.
Dust ourselves off, roll up our sleeves and hit the pavement hard... running toward what it is that we really, truly want.
0 notes
Photo
Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki celebrating the young Dallas guard’s epic one-legged, fadeaway three-pointer in the Mavericks’ Game 2 playoff win over the Los Angeles Clippers. (Photo credits: Dallas Mavericks Twitter)
1 note
·
View note
Text
Rookie Sensation
It’s been quite the rookie season for Kristaps Porzingis.
Who is he?
Kristaps Porzingis is a 20-year-old Latvian professional basketball player currently playing for the New York Knicks within the NBA. He was drafted by the Knicks as the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He plays both power forward and center positions standing at 7 ft 3 in.
2015 NBA Draft
This year has been quite significant for him due to the fact that upon being drafted to the Knicks fans booed. We’re talking no cheering, loud boo-ing and fans crying. Why is this so significant? While the business side of basketball and those higher up in the ranks of the New York Knicks understood what obtaining Porzingis meant, fans felt it was a wasted draft pick.
Rookie Season
The Knicks’ fans’ tunes changed very quickly once the pre-season started and Porzingis started performing on the court. He has now become on of the best rookies in the league and has put up statistics like no other rookie before. Knicks’ fans are now proudly sporting the Porzingis jersey and have long forgotten their unwelcoming introduction to the rookie.
0 notes
Text
Reviving the Browns QB Situation
When the Washington Chiefs drafted Robert Griffin III second overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, their fans placed high hopes in his abilities to carry their team. During his time with the Chiefs, fans lost their faith in his ability to elevate their team to a new level.
College
RG3 attended Baylor University and won the 2011 Heisman Trophy before becoming eligible for the NFL Draft.
NFL
RG3 was drafted in the First Round of the NFL Draft and was the second overall pick. During his rookie season of 2012 he was voted to the ProBowl and named the 2012 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
The Future
Griffin will now have a fresh start with the Browns. His recent trade and contract deal point towards the likelihood that he will be Cleveland’s starting quarterback in the 2015-2016 season.
All eyes will be on the Browns and if the trade was worth it after releasing Johnny Manziel. The Browns have been publicly dealing with the actions of their former quarterback. This trade indicates that the Browns are ready to move on from their rocky past and create a new era of football from Cleveland.
Here’s hoping RG3 is what they were looking for.
0 notes
Text
Busted Bracket
All that red. It’s quite saddening to a sports fan who takes their time picking their bracket in hopes that they’ll have the perfect bracket, including myself.
However, if there is one thing that March Madness can teach us is that in basketball tournaments anything can happen. Here I thought Michigan State was going to make it to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. Instead, the #2 Spartans were knocked out by #15 Middle Tennessee State.
While I may not have the perfect bracket anymore, who do you think will upset during the remainder of March Madness?
0 notes
Photo
Butler’s Kellen Dunham and Texas Tech’s Justin Gray go after a loose ball in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Basketball Tournament on March 17, 2016. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Must-see First round games: http://bit.ly/1RoWF4N
2 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Duke’s Brandon Ingram defends a shot by North Carolina-Wilmington’s C.J. Gettys in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Basketball Tournament on March 17, 2016. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Must-see First round games: http://bit.ly/1RoWF4N
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
March Madness is making me go mad
College basketball has taken over my life. As soon as March came so did the flood of e-mails inviting me to use previous seasons bracket websites and apps.
Bracket season is an interesting concept. It always starts with an invite to pit your bracket against your friends. I started three years ago and now every March I’m logging into my ESPN account to make my picks. The great thing about a majority of apps out there these days is that making a tournament bracket with your friends is free. However, if you’re into gambling or very serious about your picks you can pay for cash, at a price of course, and try your picking luck that way. I always play free for the thrill of the season and if you’re new to March Madness I suggest you start this way and once you’re confident in your picking strategy consider the cash tournaments at a later season.
Since being invited to the crazy, exciting world of March Madness I have only picked a bracket against others’ picks once. I decided this year, however, to return to the world of competition and enter my bracket against some colleagues of mine. Why, you ask, would anyone pick a bracket only for themselves? Well, I asked myself the same thing this year which is why I decided to return to competing because it’s one thing to know that your bracket was right and then another thing to know that your picks were better than others. Although, I’ve never had a perfect bracket 2016 might just be the year. If UCONN can get it together in this half and advance.
Now, if you sign up to make a bracket you get a chart that’s empty with the list of the first round match up teams, along with a handy number next to their name. That number is their current ranking in their division. They’re divided up into four areas based on region- South, East, West and Midwest. If you hover over their name or click the information button that springs up you’ll get a break down of each teams stats from their season side-by-side. Each pick you make advances and match up against another team you believe will win then you take the best of the four regions and they compete against one another leaving you to decided your final two picks.
If you ask some people they’ll tell you they engulf themselves in research over previous games of each team, their records, stats of individual players, etc. to make their decisions. Others pick their favorite teams they hope to see take it all the way. And still others just pick and hope for the best. I do a bit of a combination. Yes, I want to see how these teams do under pressure and how they have held up over the season. And sure, I want my favorite teams/schools to advance. But, as anyone who knows March Madness, no matter how the statistics stack up there are those teams and players who defy the odds and blossom under the pressure that comes with being in the spotlight of college basketball and upset high ranked teams.
Who doesn’t like an underdog story?
The point being, that sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind a pick teams you think might surprise you and upset the norm of the college basketball world.
The reason March Madness is so maddening is because you never know what will happen, which teams will surprise you and which teams will falter under the pressure. Since my picks are now in competition the picks of those I know there is more on the line. My sports savvy and my pride are weighing on my bracket picks.
Am I adding unnecessary pressure on myself? Maybe, but I need my teams to come through for my own happiness. I’m going mad over hear yelling at the common area big screen thinking my teams can hear me. I’m constantly checking my bracket to check my other teams. I’m nervous and anxious because I don’t want my team picks to fall off in the first round. But, here we are going mad over college basketball in March.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
0 notes