The Bootcamp
The Sports Journalism Institute, which works with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), is funded by the Tribune Foundation, Hearst Newspapers/Houston Chronicle and Associated Press Sports Editors.
The program, which began in 1993, has more than 225 graduates who have gone on to work at newspapers throughout the country.
To give a few examples:
- Stephanie Storm, Class of 1993, Reporter, Akron Beacon Journal
- Rachel Bachman, Class of 1994, Sports Enterprise Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
- Paul Gutierrez, Class of 1994, Raiders Reporter, ESPN
- Gregory Lee, Class of 1994, Director, Editorial, NBA.com
- Darren Everson, Class of 1995, Sports Reporter, Wall Street Journal
- Marcus Thompson, Class of 1998, Columnist, Bay Area Newspaper Group
- Graham Watson, Class of 2002, Blogger, Yahoo!Sports
- Andrew Lawrence, Class of 2003, Reporter, Sports Illustrated
- Jonathan Abrams, Class of 2004, Sports Reporter, Grantland.com
The experience includes:
- Eight weeks of professional experience at a paid internship in the sports department of a daily newspaper.
- A $500 scholarship upon successful completion of the program for students returning to college.
Eligibility
Ten student journalists will be selected. Ideally, applicants should be college sophomores or juniors. Candidates will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated interest in sports journalism as a career and excellence on the required essay.
Eligibility is not limited to journalism majors.
Applicants should submit these five items:
- Application
- A current college transcript
- Two letters of recommendation
- A professional-style photo (head shot)
- Up to seven writing samples or clips (photocopied on 8½ by 11-inch paper)
- An essay of no more than 500 words stating why he or she should be selected
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
For more information, contact: Gregory Lee, NBA.com, gregory.lee@turner.com
