For students in journalism lecturer Henry Siegel鈥檚 sports writing class, every week presents a new opportunity to learn from an expert.
Each class, Siegel brings in a new guest speaker who has experience in the sports-reporting industry. A former executive producer at Fox Sports, Altitude Sports and other outlets himself, Siegel has plenty of insight to give from his own lengthy career. The guests, however, help him provide students with a wider range of viewpoints from the field, he said.
This semester, the list of speakers included Mark Kiszla, Patrick Saunders and Kyle Newman from The Denver Post; Dave Krieger, Chris Schmaedeke and Neill Woelk from the Daily Camera; Mike Klis from 9News; Brad Evans of Yahoo Sports; Kelly Lyell from The Coloradoan; Alexis Perry, a sideline reporter for Altitude Sports Network; and Tim Gelt, the communications director for the Denver Nuggets.
Most recently, former NFL linebacker and University of Colorado alumnus听Chad Brown听spoke to the class about his career in sports broadcasting.
With each guest, Siegel tries to emphasize themes like hard work, the ability to make connections and a willingness by reporters to go outside of their comfort zones. Beyond highlighting traditional sports-reporting skills, the speakers offer insight to life within in the industry and tips for getting hired.
鈥淚 think the best experience is to give them a preview of the types of challenges they encounter when they graduate,鈥� Siegel said of his students. 鈥淗opefully that's what they can take away from all of this.鈥�
