By Charlie Hatch
Ohio University
ATHEN, Ohio — After officially becoming an inaugural campus chapter this summer, the Ohio chapter of the Associated Press Sports Editors has invited the former APSE president to campus to talk about the future of the organization and journalism.
CBSSports.com Deputy Managing Editor Tim Stephens, who presided over APSE between 2013-14, will arrive in Athens on Sept. 18, and Stephens will spend two days working with APSE members as well as speaking to various student publications.
“Having the opportunity to listen and learn from Mr. Stephens is a privilege,” said Justin Holbrock, the OU chapter president. “This is a very exciting time for our student chapter and an exciting time to be a sports journalist at Ohio University.”
This will be the second time that Stephens will visit the school. He came here last November to speak at a journalism panel. During his earlier visit, he spoke with students about the possibility of establishing an APSE student chapter at Ohio University.
For his upcoming trip, Stephens will speak to journalism classes about the future of the ever-changing industry and about how to become a well-rounded digital journalist.
In addition, the OU APSE chapter, which has 13 members, has put a program together to showcase the group and allow Stephens to speak to all students.
“It’s a great honor to host Tim in his return to Athens,” said Corbin Bagford, the other treasurer who will lead the Sept. 18 evening program. “He brings years of sports journalism experience and knowledge to the table, and I’m looking forward to this event.”
The program will be the first time the chapter has officially sponsored an event at the university. While the members hope Stephens will inspire students, it also hopes bringing the former president to Athens for its first event will be a great way to attract new members.
“Allowing Mr. Stephens to speak to our chapter and to potential new members is a great step for our young group,” Holbrock said. “This program will allow us to bring in new members and become one of the premier student organizations on campus.”
The current adviser to the chapter, Justice Hill, has asked Stephens to also speak with a few campus publications, and be on the set of “Gridiron Glory,” a weekly Friday night high school football program aired on WOUB TV.
“I think that I, along with my WOUB and APSE comrades, will benefit greatly from his visit and it will be a memorable experience for us all,” Bagford said.
