The Clyde Hirt Journalism Workshop, presented by the Hambletonian Society, is ready for another successful year in 2023.

Established in 2003 by the U.S. Harness Writers Association (USHWA), the workshop named for the longtime sports columnist and member of the Communicators Hall of Fame, Clyde Hirt, is for college and grad students interested in journalism. Students majoring in different media-focused studies — TV, PR, photography and newspaper/magazine writing — have all participated in the workshop.

The workshop takes place during one of the most exciting weeks in harness racing culminating in America’s Classic Trotting Race, the $1-million Hambletonian, on Saturday, Aug. 5 at The Meadowlands. This year’s workshop begins on Aug. 2 at the Big M.

Throughout the four-day workshop, the students are mentored by professionals in all fields of journalism. The Hirt advisors believe a hands-on approach is necessary when teaching and work one-on-one with students as much as possible.

Attending students have represented colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada and have written stories about the Hambletonian that have appeared in many major publications, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Boston Globe, Chicago Sun-Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and The Star-Ledger.

The Hirt advisors have been told that if it were not for the workshop providing stories to some papers, that they would either not cover the Hambletonian or would do so in just a couple of sentences.

The slogan “The Clyde Hirt Journalism Workshop, turning journalism majors into journalists” has proven to be accurate as many workshop graduates have gone on to have successful careers in media.

(USHWA)