I remember the first time I read that quote from Javee Mocon about playing with a chip on his shoulder, and something clicked for me about sports writing. He said, "There's always a chip on my shoulder, whatever team, Rain or Shine or Phoenix. I just have to prove, not to anybody, but to myself na I have a value and I can still play at a high level." That's exactly the mindset we need when approaching campus sports journalism - that relentless drive to prove our worth through our writing. Over my seven years covering collegiate sports, I've discovered that mastering this craft isn't about fancy degrees or connections; it's about embracing certain fundamental practices that transform ordinary reporting into compelling storytelling.
When I started out covering university basketball games, I made the classic mistake of focusing entirely on statistics and play-by-play accounts. My early pieces read like grocery lists of events rather than stories that captured the drama unfolding on the court. Then I realized what separates good sports writing from great - it's finding those human moments like Mocon's internal motivation that resonate beyond the final score. I began spending as much time in the locker room as in the press box, discovering that athletes at the collegiate level often have the most compelling stories precisely because they're still proving themselves. Last season alone, I conducted approximately 47 interviews with players across different sports, and the insights I gathered transformed how I framed every game recap. The trick is to balance hard facts with emotional truth - mentioning that a player scored 28 points matters less than explaining why those points mattered to them personally.
Building relationships has been my secret weapon in this field. Unlike professional sports where access is often restricted, campus athletics departments tend to be more open to student journalists who demonstrate genuine interest. I make it a point to attend practices regularly, not just games, because that's where you observe the real work ethic and team dynamics. When I wrote about our women's volleyball team's championship run last November, my piece stood out because I'd been tracking their journey since preseason conditioning in August. That depth of understanding comes through in your writing naturally. You develop an instinct for which stories will resonate - like when I noticed our soccer team's goalkeeper practicing alone for an extra hour daily and turned that observation into a feature that got shared over 800 times on social media.
The technical aspect of sports writing often intimidates beginners, but I've found that mastering a few key elements makes all the difference. Learning the specific terminology of each sport is crucial - you can't effectively cover a swimming competition if you don't understand the difference between a medley relay and individual medley. I maintain a running glossary for each sport I cover, which has grown to contain over 300 specific terms. But more importantly, you need to develop your unique voice. My early attempts at mimicking professional sports commentators resulted in stiff, unnatural prose. It wasn't until I embraced my own perspective - that of a student journalist genuinely excited about collegiate athletics - that my work started gaining recognition. The campus paper's sports section I oversee now generates about 65% more reader engagement than it did two years ago, precisely because we've prioritized authentic storytelling over formulaic reporting.
What keeps me passionate about campus sports journalism after all these years is precisely what Mocon expressed - that ongoing challenge to prove your value. Every assignment presents an opportunity to capture not just what happened, but why it mattered. The most memorable piece I ever wrote wasn't about a championship game, but about a third-string basketball player who never got minutes but inspired the entire team with his dedication in practice. Those are the stories that linger with readers long after the season ends. The beauty of campus sports is that everyone involved - athletes, coaches, and journalists alike - are all works in progress, growing together through each victory and defeat. That shared journey of development creates a connection you simply don't find in professional sports coverage, making campus sports writing uniquely rewarding for those willing to put in the work.
