Scripps College students travel to CMA Convention and get media credentials to cover the Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament

As the annual NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball tournament gets underway this week, several students from the Scripps College of Communication are watching the controversy surrounding which NCAA Division 1 Big East teams were selected with insider knowledge. That’s because the students were able to cover those teams and players last week during the Big East Tournament in New York City. Seventeen Ohio University students went to the College Media Association (CMA) Convention last week and four of them also took advantage of timing and opportunity to cover the Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden. The basketball tournament ran on the same dates as the CMA Convention - Wednesday, March 13 through Saturday, March 16. 

“It was an amazing opportunity for students who work at The Post and WOUB to cover different tournament games as credentialed media,” said Ohio University Director of Student Media Andrea Lewis, who took the students on the trip. “Professionals from the convention critiqued their work the following morning after the evening games.”

“The experience of being able to cover the Big East Tournament has been truly eye opening. I've been given the opportunity to go out and be a journalist on one of the largest stages in sports. Through that, I think the biggest thing I've gained is confidence,” said WOUB Student Donovan Varney, a sophomore journalism news and information major. “Attending post-game press conferences with high-level coaches and athletes has given me more confidence to go out and talk to people and conduct interviews. I got to casually go into the New York Knicks locker room to speak to players after the game. If that doesn't make you confident to do this regularly, I don't know what will.”

“I also think that the Big East Tournament experience just gave me reassurance that I am at the right place to study journalism, being at Ohio University. It was clear that what I've learned in class and through WOUB was immediately applicable to the real world.” 

“Getting to go to the Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden has been an irreplicable experience and one that I wouldn't trade for a lifetime. I've gotten to refine my craft on the biggest stage, discussing the best teams, and talking to the best coaches and players,” said Logan Adams, a sophomore journalism news and information major, who is a sportswriter at The Post. “Storylines are everywhere, but learning to find the ones that aren't getting the coverage they deserve has been the most valuable skill I could've taken away.”

“I was incredibly lucky to be able to take part in this unique opportunity to be among some of the best sports journalists in the world at Madison Square Garden,” said Robert Keegan, a sophomore journalism news and information major, who works for The Post. “With aspirations of being a sports journalist, this experience not only enhanced my knowledge of the industry but also cemented my passion for sports media. This event has inspired me and my fellow colleagues to turn what is now just an incredibly unique experience into our future careers.” 

The trip also included the chance for students to go on a mini-media tour of New York City before the convention began.

“We went to the Associated Press headquarters and toured the newsrooms and visited the global media production room. We toured the federal court where some of the biggest trials involving terrorists and financial fraud have occurred,” said Lewis. “The students got to see the press room where all the reporters work in the courthouse. We did take time to ride the Staten Island Ferry so they could get a view of The Statue of Liberty.”

At the CMA convention, students had the opportunity to meet reporters, editors, broadcasters, podcasters, digital marketers, nonprofit content producers, public relations managers, and many other media pros. Students learned about career development from those who already have the career they want. They also had the opportunity to be in the studio during a breaking news broadcast and NYPD press conference while on tour of WABC-Channel 7. 

Three student publications from Ohio University also received David L. Adams Apple awards during the CMA. Three honorable mentions and one third place award were given out to The Post, Thread Magazine and The New Political. The awards are given as a “Best of Show” and are named in honor of a longtime CMA stalwart and adviser at Indiana University, who died in 2007.