Last summer APSE president Gerry Ahern called on every member of APSE to recruit and sponsor one college student as a member of our organization.
For a $25 fee, students gain access to the minds and events that will shape the future of sports journalism. Ahern also asked sponsoring editors to help help mentor the student as they prepare to enter the profession.
To sponsor a student member, go to http://apsportseditors.org/registration/
Several APSE members have answered the call. To recognize them and the new members they've brought into our organization, we'll be posting bios of the first wave of student members.
Today, meet a University of Pittsburgh senior sponsored by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Jerry Micco, a former APSE president.
Name: Brian Batko
College status: Senior at the University of Pittsburgh in 2012-2013.
Sponsoring member: Jerry Micco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Assistant Managing Editor/Sports
Experience: Work as a sports copy editor for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Worked as a sports staff writer for The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's student newspaper. Wrote for NBEBasketball.com, freelance for Panther-Lair.com, the Rivals.com website for Pitt basketball and football.
How did you become interested in sports journalism: For as long as I can remember, I have always been engaged by sports — playing them, watching them, collecting trading cards. I always have enjoyed writing, as well, and was much better at it than math or science. Therefore, it made sense for my interest in writing about sports to bloom.
What's the most important thing you've learned?: That the adage, "It's not what you know, it's who you know," is only partly true. While making connections and networking with professionals in the industry is, of course, vital to success, there is still something to be said for not just high quality work, but work ethic. Putting in the time and effort in this field usually will be rewarded.
Dream job?: To be a sports enterprise writer working on features and profiles that tell some of the best stories in the sports world, specifically in the college basketball realm.
Interests/hobbies/activities: Student radio/broadcasting, video journalism, pick-up hoops.
Twitter username: @BrianBatko
