AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins and Michigan Office Solutions to Host Third Annual College Sports Scribes Experience

Published on March 7, 2018 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Two dozen college journalism students and collegiate newspaper writers will have the opportunity to cover a professional sporting event, learn from members of the media, and possibly earn the chance to author a bylined story on MLive.com thanks to the Grand Rapids Griffins, Michigan Office Solutions (MOS) and the third annual MOS College Sports Scribes Experience.

Colleges and universities throughout west, southwest and central Michigan will be invited to select deserving students from their journalism programs and school newspapers to participate in this unique event, which will take place before, during and after the Griffins' home game on Wednesday, March 28 against the Texas Stars.

The experience will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a panel discussion/Q&A session featuring several media who regularly cover the Griffins, including Pete Wallner of the Grand Rapids Press/MLive, and Griffins vice president of community relations and broadcasting Bob Kaser. They will share their personal experiences and advice on breaking into the sports journalism field.

Participants will then enjoy a press box tour and pre-game meal from Van Andel Arena concessions before settling into their press box seat to watch the 7 p.m. game between the Griffins and Stars. After taking part in a post-game press conference with Griffins players and head coach Todd Nelson, the students will need to work quickly and efficiently to submit their written game stories prior to a midnight deadline.

All stories submitted on time will be reviewed by MLive's Wallner, who will select the best one based on content, accuracy and conformity to AP style. The writer of that story will win the opportunity to return to the Griffins game on Saturday, April 14 to shadow Wallner and write a sidebar to his game story that will be published under the student's byline on MLive.com.

The previous two winners of the MOS College Sports Scribes Experience are now employed as journalists. Beau Troutman (2017) from Grand Valley State University is a sports writer for the LaSalle (Ill.) News Tribune, while Central Michigan University's Taylor DesOrmeau (2016) covers government, business, entertainment and NASCAR for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot/MLive.

"Michigan Office Solutions is honored to bring back the MOS College Sports Scribes Experience this year," said Paul Hartley, President of MOS. "MOS continues our commitment to communities by giving back in all areas of our business, especially with our colleges and universities. Through our longstanding partnership with the Grand Rapids Griffins, we can provide this type of unique experience to help the next generation of sports journalists.

"The MOS College Sports Scribes Experience allows for journalism students to get up close and personal with a professional sports team and the reporters that cover them to truly understand what it is like to be a sports journalist. This real-life experience is something we are thrilled to offer to the college students in our area. We look forward to continuing this as an annual event," added Hartley.

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