What was your first job as a journalist?
I was just a writer for LWOSports.com. After a few months, I became a Site Manager.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I've messed around with one when I was a kid. It was my grandmother's, and it was ancient.
How is social media changing news?
It's incentivizing nonsense, sensationalization, and AI-generated slop. It's disappointing, really.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Does Barry Allen count?
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To me, it means to tell the story of what you're watching. Anyone can write fan reactions or aggregate. Writing something original is special
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
There have been plenty of NSFW tags out there, but I tend to chuckle at (And This One Doesn't Belong To The Reds)
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Direct with expectations and allow me to put my own flair on it.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I use WordPress for all of my jobs right now. I've used Tempest before, but that's about it.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter, honestly. Most social media sites are a mess but Twitter has been the best for me. I've slowly been moving to BlueSky, of course.
Who do you wish followed you?
Joey Votto. Really, follower counts don't affect me, but if I got a follow from my favorite baseball player, it'd be an honor.
Why did you become a journalist?
I've always loved sports and, initially, I got into sports writing because of my fandom. Then, as I got into it, it became a passion.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did not because there was no actual school newspaper. I went to a tiny high school in rural Ohio. I graduated with 40.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I proposed a Promotion/Relegation style of format for college football. I'd like to think I worked hard on it, and it's fairly sound!
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
It's going to suck for a long time before it gets good. Keep at it, hone your craft, and remember that your voice is worth hearing/reading.
When's the best time to pitch you?
I always have my phone on me, so any time is fine, honestly.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
To this point, it's been me pitching stories and ideas, but I'd say getting the nerve to apply for credentials for Ohio State last year.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
To write for a newspaper for $12/hr and have to drive an hour-plus both ways with no support from above.
What's your favorite drink?
I don't really do alcohol much, so my poison of choice is Mountain Dew.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Playing with my daughter or cooking for my family.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
For Ohio State, Eleven Warriors and Buckeye Huddle. For the Bengals, probably Bengals Wire.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
OSU: "All fans are the Lunatic Fringe." They're loud, but not the majority.
