The sixth annual Clyde Hirt Journalism Workshop, held in conjunction with the Hambletonian, harness racing's most prestigious race, offers communications students a chance to learn from professionals while covering a major sporting event. It will be held July 30 through August 2 at the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey.
Students will interact with a variety of sports professionals, write race preview and results stories for daily newspapers, and attend workshop sessions with experts from print, broadcasting, public relations and other media.
In addition, last year's seminar included a tour of Sports Illustrated by executive editor Charlie Leerhsen and story editing session at the New York Daily News. On Hambletonian Day, students are paired with professionals from their field of interest and assist in covering the day's races.
In 2007, the workshop produced 12 newspaper stories that ran in the Akron Beacon-Journal, Asbury Park Press, Erie Times-News, Lexington Herald-Leader, N.Y. Daily News Web site, Philadelphia Inquirer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Staten Island Advance, as well as magazine stories in Hoof Beats and The Canadian Sportsman.
Workshop participants are responsible for their transportation costs. Ground transportation, three nights' accommodations, and meals will be provided. Complete details regarding the workshop will be available upon application.
Students should send a letter of interest to Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications, 4 Broad Street, Suite D, Freehold, NJ 07728, or e-mail [email protected]. For additional information, call 732-780-3700.
(HRC)