APSE remains committed to recruiting and sponsoring college students as members of the organization.
For a $25 fee, students gain access to the minds and events that will shape the future of sports journalism. Sponsoring editors are asked to help mentor the students as they prepare to enter the profession.
To sponsor a student member, go to the How to Join page.
Several APSE members have answered the call. To recognize them and the new members they've brought into our organization, we're posting bios of the latest wave of student members.
Today, meet a Cal State-Fullerton senior sponsored by APSE President Tim Stephens.
Jonathan Mathis
College status: Senior majoring in communications/journalism at California State University, Fullerton in 2013-14.
Sponsoring member: Tim Stephens, Deputy Managing Editor, CBS Interactive – Sports.
Experience: Write feature pieces for the campus newspaper, the Daily Titan. Write for websites such as Bleacher Report, Gridiron Grit, Footbasket and SB Nation Los Angeles. Chosen to cover Titan Athletic Hall of Fame when Bruce Bowen was enshrined into Cal State Fullerton's Hall of Fame.
How did you become interested in sports journalism? After changing my mind about pursuing the police academy, and after I didn’t succeed in the fire academy, I chose to pursue journalism. A friend told me I was a talented writer, and he inspired me to become a sports journalist. He knew how much I enjoyed writing and that I was a sports nut. I’ve always had a gift for and a passion for writing. As a kid, I picked up the newspaper every morning, whether it was the LA Times, the Press Telegram or the Orange County Register, and read each section. Thanks to my mom, I became an avid reader of books, magazines, newspapers and websites. Growing up, I was required to read 30 minutes a day before I could watch TV and go outside to play. Sports Journalism is a great career choice and could be a rewarding profession.
Dream job? To become a national sports columnist for a major news publication or website. I really enjoy writing about sports and covering the national stories. I also hope to become a local radio talk show host in Los Angeles for a sports radio station. If I become wealthy enough, I plan to start a charity foundation to raise money for unhealthy and less fortunate children.
Hobbies/interests/activities: Reading, drawing, music, going to the beach, watching movies and TV and acting.
Jonathan’s work appears on: Sports Buzz On the Street, Sports Cave Oracle and Gridiron Grit.
Follow Jonathan on Twitter: @sportsjudge85
To get your student member bio posted contact Loren Nelson at loren.nelson@sportngin.com
