Medill Degree Finally Pays

Seventeen and one-half years ago, I earned my diploma in journalism (which I have since lost, I regretfully admit) from Northwestern University.

My column in today's Salt Lake Tribune is my first column in a daily newspaper since graduation. I've been published in several regional magazines, one national one, game programs, media guides and a handful of websites. But as a classically trained PRINT journalist, I always found the daily newsprint compendium of news, opinion and advertising as the top of the journalism heirarchy.

Although the perception and readership of newspapers has dropped precipitously since I entered journalism school, millions of Americans and billions across the world still dispense a few pennies every single day to follow their favorite sports team, keep their government honest or gather insight into a world far beyond the realm of their commute to work. Others just read the comics, do the crossword puzzle or scan for $0.99/lb. chicken. Fair enough.

My parents have encouraged my desire to think and write freely from the beginning (and paid for a substantial portion of my degree) - and for that I am truly grateful. Mrs. 'Hat Rack encouraged me to start this blog more than a year ago and experience of writing several times a week has been prodigiously important to the honing of this craft. Thanks to you too - and know that I've just scratched the surface of what I want to put on paper.

You can see the journalistic fruits of my peers every day as they report on steroid scandals (Mark Fainaru), the Big Ten Network (anchor Dave Revsine), everything sports related (Mike Greenberg at ESPN Radio), various sports beats (J.A. Adance / LA Times, Victor Chi/formerly of San Jose Mercury News) - and even a few who don't write sports (editors in St. Petersburg, Fla., Chicago)... They have all provided inspiration, unbeknownst to them.

I expect my second Tribune column will focus on the MLS SuperDraft (Jan. 18) - until then, thanks again to each of you who reads me, online or on paper.

Comments

[Juliana]

Excellent article, Steve. Thanks for the heads up here. I enjoy your blog and am jealous that you're actually doing something with your journalism degree. So the trail of inspiration continues. Others inspired you--now you inspire me.

[Drew K]

Congratulations Steve! It is a great article. I look forward to reading many more from you in the future.