Dream Catcher: My First Day as a Reporter

I've always had an obsession with the media.  Whether it be sports talk on the radio, sports highlights on television, or detailed articles on the web, the media remains one of my guilty pleasures. 

On July 11th, I was offered the opportunity to become a part of that same media.

Aron Glatzer, the marketing manager for the Bleacher Report, sent me an email asking if I would be interested in covering the Big Ten Media Days July 24th - 25th in Chicago.  Living in a near suburb of the Windy City and attending school everyday at DePaul, I knew the travel would at least be cheap.  However, I wanted to know exactly what Aron meant by "covering."  Reading further into the email, I saw that Aron meant business and was willing to apply for credentials for me to attend the event.  All of a sudden, I realized this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

After discussing what my assignment consisted of and conducting an extensive week of research, I bought a brand new briefcase, laptop, voice recorder, pen, and paper and headed to the Hyatt Regency looking for the juiciest story-lines and biggest names.  Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one.  There were about 300 other reporters, columnists, and television crews slotted to attend the two-day event.

The Big Ten Media Days were held on a Thursday and Friday, so the city would be buzzing with the typical weekday rush.  Being a dedicated Metra Train rider, I grabbed my ticket and hopped on the 6:22 am train to Chicago.  Check in was scheduled at 8:00am, so I had just enough time when adding an hour train ride and a half-hour walk.

After finally waking myself up once the train stopped, I glanced at my directions and headed off on what would be a fulfillment of my all-time dream: covering sports for a living. 

The walk seemed like a maze at times, but after a good 25 minutes of power walking, I finally had arrived.  I checked in downstairs and presented my driver's license to the receptionist.  She took a brief look at my ID and proceeded to hand me my first credentials ever.  They read: Sam Wenk, BleacherReport.com.  I then was given a huge blue bag with the Big Ten logo pasted on the front.  Inside would be literally 30lbs of media guides from each of the eleven teams.  How in the world would I carry this along with my briefcase all over the hotel?

While maintaining my balance despite having almost 50lbs of weight added on to my back, a woman wearing a Big Ten sticker asked me if I would like a complimentary Rose Bowl umbrella?  You better believe it!

Looking around and observing everything happening was awesome.  Media guys were everywhere, showcasing their egos and walking with broad shoulders.  I looked at the various rooms where the interviews and press conferences would be held.  Lots of padded chairs, clean carpet floors, and pitchers of water on top of numerous tables.  Inside one of the rooms were several booths lined up designed to hold three players and one coach with a microphone attached in front of each.  Taking it all in, I realized I had taken another step in becoming a true member of the media.

It was still really early (8:15 am) and with me being unsure of where to go, I headed to the Media Workroom.  Only a few people were inside, but I immediately recognized ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg working feverishly on his laptop, no doubt updating his popular Big Ten blog.  I figured maybe I could start to reflect on my short day so far and busted out my laptop on the table in front of Rittenberg.  Once I was connected to the free wireless internet the Big Ten provided, I visited Adam's blog on-line and noticed he had just posted a new entry no more than 15 minutes ago.  How cool it was knowing I was reading something being written right behind me, literally three feet away!  Not sure if he noticed what I was doing, but I can guess he probably smiled if he did see that off all the websites on the internet, I was reading his at that very second.

A little before 9:00 am, the media workroom goes from a silent paradise to a writing party with more and more writers and reporters pounding on their laptops and meeting with one another.  Two guys chatting behind me were talking about potential interviews and stories they might do.  One of the guys began bragging about landing several key interviews the night before with the Purdue players but was frustrated he didn’t get one with head coach Joe Tiller.  Was I supposed to have lined up interviews before this event?  Too late now....

On my way to grab some coffee before the coaches press conference began, Illinois head coach Ron Zook walked right past me, dressed in a full suit equipped with a bright orange tie.  How creative...

After chugging my large coffee, I headed over to the press conference room to prepare for the eleven different, 15 minute conferences each head coach would conduct.  The large room had a powerful air conditioning, probably to prepare for the sweaty media guys that will soon inhabit the place.  Tons of laptops, cameras, and media people were everywhere, preparing for what should be a fun day.  After I had just paid for coffee and waiting in line for ten minutes, I realize there is unlimited free coffee, water, and tea in this room.  Figures.

With the press conference about to begin, many noticeable media names take their place.  I recognize people like the Chicago Tribune's Greenstein and the Big Ten Network's Dave Repsin.

A short video was played, showcasing the rule changes that would be in effect for this season.  With my laptop open and my focus at an all-time high, I began to type away on several notes regarding the video.  After nothing too interesting is mentioned, I stopped typing when I saw Illinois Head Coach Ron Zook in the corner getting ready to give his opening statement, followed by questions from the media.

After being introduced, Zook read off of a prepared sheet of paper and talked about this season's expectations, a rundown of the schedule, and the disappointing loss to USC in the Rose Bowl last year.  Zook, as well as all of the coaches, pretty much said the same things.  For extensive quotes and details of what was said by the coaches, please read my articles titled: "Big Ten Media Day Coverage."

One detail I wanted to mention about the coaches interviews was my first, real question as a member of the media.  During Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel's conference, I raised my hand to ask a question and was given a microphone.  While knowing this event was LIVE on ESPNews and the Big Ten Network, I projected my voice while my legs were shaking faster than a Devin Hester kick return.  "Coach.  Sam Wenk from the Bleacher Report.com.  I just wanted to know how soon you plan on incorporating Terrelle Pryor in the offense and how much of a role he'll have this year?"  I sat back down, listened to his answer, pinched my arm, and quietly padded myself on the back.

My dream really did come true.