Choose a high school or a university/college (e.g., Div II or III) game. You must observe a live game; you cannot watch one on TV.
If you are an athlete, you cannot play in a game and cover it at the same time.
If you dress but do not play in the game, you still cannot cover it for this
assignment. Also, be sure to pick an actual, varisty game, not a practice
game or "fun" event, like a charity softball game, an intramural game, or an
intersquad game. JV games are not suitable for this assignment. eSports will not work for this assignment. Please ask me if you have any questions about your choice
of game. Note: Professional or Big Ten games will not work for this
assignment because
you cannot conduct coach/player interviews.
It is possible to cover a club sport, but this will mean you may not have
any sources for stats or other information. And club sports do not
have proper coaches. You will have to get all information from
watching the game and from player interviews. Have a back-up game in
case this does not work.
You will need to take thorough (not just one page or just stats) notes when you watch a sporting event.
Remember, you will be a sports reporter for this assignment, so you will need to
have information and details in order to write your game story. If you take
information and ideas from other sports reporters, you are plagiarizing--and
will face the consequences for plagiarism.
Note: I will collect notes and interview questions as part of the game story essay. If you do not turn in notes and interview questions, you will receive an "F" for the game story essay. If your notes and interview questions are too brief, defined in our class discussions, the grade on your game story may be lowered.
Be sure to get/buy a program so that you have background
information to use for your game story.
Begin thinking about what game you will watch and make appropriate plans. See the syllabus for deadlines.
Don't read or listen to accounts of the game you watch!
Games can be crowded, so try to get to the game early and find a seat that you can observe from. Bring a small notebook that you can write in. Be sure your pen/pencil works. Bring two, especially if you are watching a game outside. Cold weather/rain can be a problem, so plan accordingly. Dress appropriately so that you are comfortable.
Notes should include objective details and your subjective impressions. You can use stat sheets/programs so that you do not have to record every factual detail.
What to consider for notes.
(You will need several pages of notes.)
- Summary of the game. Be sure to include key plays or moments that define the game.
- Setting and situation. Where is the game located? Who is playing? What is at stake for both teams, if anything? Past history of the teams? Rivalry? Key statistics? (You will be allowed to use stat sheets for some info., so don't worry if you cannot record everything.) Key match-ups? Final score? Playing conditions? The crowd? (Attendance? Behavior?) Weather?
- Key moments of drama or action. What plays stand out? What players stand out? What is the "story behind the story?" In other words, what is significant about the game besides the score? Record your impressions, not just what you are literally observing.
- Quotations from players and coaches. If you know players or coaches, you can conduct interviews before/after the game. (See Course Notes for advice on conducting interviews.)
- Finally, be sure to go over your notes right after the game or as soon as possible while ideas are still fresh. Fill in any gaps and add your own observations and ideas. What are your main impressions and overall thoughts?? Don't forget sensory details--sight, sound, movement. (See reading in TSGW--Ch. 14.)
Helpful websites
**https://www.wiaawi.org/ (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association)
**https://wiacsports.com/ (Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
**https://athletics.uwsp.edu/ (UWSP Athletics Page)