Jake Elman
As seen in:
Athlon Sports,
Medium,
MSN,
Yahoo Life,
Yahoo Canada,
Aol,
Sports Illustrated,
Flipboard,
MLB (Major League Baseball),
Yahoo Sports,
Yahoo Sports Canada
and
Covers:
Sports, Education, Politics
Backup Twitter for @jakeelman97. Dog dad. FAU grad. Writing at @sportscasting19. Boneless wings are nuggets, and you know that is true. RTs ≠ endorsements.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Stringing high school basketball games in New York for a county newspaper. I couldn't drive at the time so I was only doing my school's games
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No.
How is social media changing news?
It's easier to see what news is breaking and easier to see what leads to follow. You also have people getting took by unverified accounts.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means you're the voice of the people for the people and every time you go to write something, you need to remember that.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I like thinking about the potential of the story and the different routes we can take to explore the human element.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter.
Why did you become a journalist?
At the time, I thought it was the only thing I was good at! But I loved the ability to tell someone's story and give them a voice.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did not, we didn't have one until I was a senior - nearly two years into my writing career.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
A two-parter on the "damaged" kids FAU was signing and bringing back to Division I.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Pay attention to the people around you, ask questions, forge good relationships, and stick to your moral code.
When's the best time to pitch you?
I'd say a few days before the story is due unless it's a different take on a breaking news story.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Writing about my high school's fan section back in New York. It was rowdy, it was an emotional story, and it was fun.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Couldn't tell you because I don't think I've ever gotten a bad pitch.
What's your favorite drink?
Not counting water, probably Gatorade. I had to stop drinking Redbull.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
At home in the sun.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The New Yorker is great. I have a soft spot for Sports Illustrated even after all this time.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Lane Kiffin is a jerk. I've had nothing but a positive relationship with Lane.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.