Last summer then-APSE president Gerry Ahern called on every member of APSE to recruit and sponsor at least one college student as a member of our organization.
Recruiting and mentoring student members remains a priority under the leadership of APSE president Tim Stephens.
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 http://apsportseditors.org/how-to-join/
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 Northwestern University senior sponsored by Gary Kicinski of Digital First Media.
Alex Hampl
College status: Senior at Northwestern University in 2013-14
Sponsoring member: Gary Kicinski, Sports Channel Manager, Project Thunderdome, Digital First Media
Experience: Covered high school sports for Alexandrianews.org. Men’s Basketball columnist at NorthbyNorthwestern.com. Contributed for the Medill Innocence Project. Covered fantasy baseball and football as an intern at Numberfire.com. Intern at SI.com for Fall 2013.
How did you become interested in sports journalism? My grandfather was a sports columnist with the San Diego Union-Tribune. I remember reading his Padres and Chargers media guides as a kid and being hooked. It was pretty early on that I knew I wanted to write about sports for a living.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned? My first boss had me cover things like city council and complicated legal disputes – subjects I didn’t have a whole lot of experience with, and which were a little out of my comfort zone. From that experience, I learned the importance of asking questions until I fully understood something, even if the questions seemed simple or “dumb” to the interview subject.
Dream job? I would love to cover NBA basketball for a national publication.
Hobbies/interests/activities: I play flag football, basketball and softball. When I’m not in class, I’m most often playing pickup hoops or watching NBA League Pass.
Alex’s work has appeared on: Numberfire.com, medilljusticeproject.org
Follow Alex on Twitter: @Hampl9
To get your student member bio posted contact Loren Nelson at loren.nelson@sportngin.com
