I remember the first time I covered a college basketball game for our campus paper - I thought sports writing was just about recording scores and play-by-plays. Boy, was I wrong. When I came across Javee Mocon's recent statement about playing with "a chip on my shoulder" for Rain or Shine and Phoenix, it reminded me how sports journalism at its core is about capturing the human spirit behind the statistics. That quote alone contains more storytelling potential than any box score I've ever seen.
The truth is, campus sports writing requires balancing factual reporting with compelling narrative. I've found that starting with strong observation skills makes all the difference. During last season's championship game, I noticed our point guard consistently helping teammates up after falls - that small detail became the centerpiece of my feature. You need to watch not just where the ball goes, but what happens in those quiet moments between plays. I typically spend the first quarter just observing body language and interactions, then another quarter focusing on coaching strategies, before diving into the actual game flow. It's surprising how many stories emerge when you're not constantly looking at the scoreboard.
Developing relationships with athletes has completely transformed my approach. Early on, I made the mistake of treating interviews like formal question-and-answer sessions. Now I understand that the best quotes come from casual conversations. When athletes feel comfortable, they share things like Mocon's reflection on proving his value to himself rather than others. That's gold for any sports writer. I've learned to schedule interviews during their natural downtime - while they're stretching after practice or grabbing a post-game meal. The setting matters more than most beginners realize.
The technical side can't be ignored either. I maintain a system where I track key statistics in real-time during games. My notebook has specific sections for different data points - player efficiency ratings, shooting percentages from various zones, turnover differentials. For basketball, I particularly focus on second-chance points and fast-break opportunities, as these often determine game outcomes. Last semester, I discovered our team won 87% of games when scoring 15+ fast-break points, which became a recurring theme in my analysis pieces.
What separates adequate campus sports writing from exceptional work is the ability to find unique angles. Every publication will cover the big games and star players, but I make it my mission to find the untold stories. The walk-on who practices three hours daily despite knowing he might never start. The team manager who's been tracking statistics for four years without missing a single game. These perspectives resonate with readers because they reflect the broader college experience. I've found that these human interest pieces actually get 35% more engagement on our digital platforms than standard game recaps.
Writing style matters tremendously in sports journalism. I've developed what I call the "rhythm method" - varying sentence length to match the game's tempo. During tense final moments, I use short, punchy sentences. For reflective pieces, longer, more contemplative phrasing works better. This conscious attention to pacing has made my features much more immersive. Readers often comment that they feel like they're experiencing the game rather than just reading about it.
The revision process is where good writing becomes great. I typically go through at least three drafts - first getting the facts down, then strengthening the narrative flow, finally polishing the language. I've learned to cut about 20% of my initial draft every time. Those beautiful phrases that don't actually advance the story? They have to go. My editor once told me that sports writing should be like a well-executed fast break - efficient, direct, and exciting from start to finish.
Looking back at my campus journalism journey, the most valuable lesson has been understanding that sports stories are ultimately human stories. Whether covering intramural volleyball or varsity basketball, the emotions, conflicts, and triumphs resonate because they mirror our own experiences. Mocon's determination to prove his value isn't just about basketball - it's about the universal struggle for self-worth and recognition. When we capture that essence, campus sports writing transcends mere reporting and becomes something much more meaningful. That's when we truly connect with our readers and do justice to the athletes we're covering.
