KING OF THE WORLD: FROM GRUNT WORK IN A NEWSROOM, TO ESPN. ALWAYS HAPPY DOING WHAT HE LOVES.
Ever wonder what it takes to break into the wide, wide, world of Sports writing/reporting? We take advantage of the short lull before the Sweet 16 tips off, to grab ESPN’s Sean Ceglinsky away from his keyboard and get a few answers.
Andy: I’m guessing the most enjoyable part of your occupation would be having the opportunity to witness dozens of major sporting events live, year after year. Would that be a good guess, or is there something you enjoy more? Can you give a few specific examples of some of your most memorable games and/or favorite athletes or coaches you ever interviewed or covered?
Sean: One of my more memorable experiences was doing a story on Magic Johnson for the L.A. Times about his involvement in a charity hoops game out in the San Fernando Valley. Must have been 10 or 12 years ago, if I remember correctly. Mind you, as a youngster growing up here in Los Angeles, I was a big fan of his. Everyone was. That said, I was pumped to be in his presence. Fairly new to the whole writing game at the time of the interview with Magic, I managed to keep things professional. Mind you, my wife urged me to take a picture with him. Wasn’t happening though. I figured we’d cross paths again and I didn’t want there to be any awkwardness. True to form, we’ve talked on a couple occasions since. Anyway, Magic was a cool cat this first time around and looked me in the eyes the whole time while answering my questions. Given his body of work, he must have thought I was another run-of-the-mill reporter. And I was. He had other things to do at the time too, attending a Lakers game in particular. Nevertheless, he took the time to talk and made it appear as if I was his No. 1 priority back then. If there were any questions about what my future was in the business, they were answered that day after chatting with Earvin Magic Johnson. There was no going back to a normal life at that point.
Andy: That’s a definite life changer if I ever heard one. Having worked for traditional media like the aforementioned LA Times, and Daily News, do you find the atmosphere or experience to be entirely different working for ESPN & CBS Sports online entities, or is it more similar than one might think?
Sean: Writing for big wigs like ESPN and CBS Sports is fun, no doubt about it. In this day and age, there’s more creative freedom than ever. Having a bigger say, content-wise, is a plus. It’s not like it was working for the newspapers, where it was more nuts-and-bolts reporting. Still, working in that industry for 10-plus years served me well. I learned about journalistic integrity. Also, if you’re not first, your last, that was always a big thing at The Times and Daily News. Newspapers were the start. ESPN and CBS Sports, I consider a pit stop, of sorts. No rush, mind you. I’m content, more than happy. The finish line is the last thing on my mind right now.
NO TIME FOR THE FINISH LINE.
Andy: Let’s go back to the starting line, then. As a kid, did you foresee yourself becoming a sportswriter? How’d you end up in the profession?
Sean: It’s funny, as a youngster during the formative years, my mom always told me to quit watching sports and go mow the lawn on the weekends. Front and back, mind you, and we had a decent size house so that chore was a pain in the you know where…. Anyway, I’d fight tooth and nail, anything to finish watching a particular game and not have to tend to my responsibilities. Eventually I gave in and handled my business. Me and Moms still share a laugh about those times. To answer the second part of the question, I’ll try to make a long story short. I was taking journalism classes at Pierce Junior College on the outskirts of Los Angeles and met an editor from the Daily News. I started taking stats. Then answering phones and filing photo’s. The grunt work. Didn’t matter back then, I was just happy to be doing something that I loved. Same thing can be said about my job today.
Andy: Didn’t Bill Simmons answer phones and run food errands for the Boston Herald in High School? All the best sportswriters start doing the grunt work! You know how overcrowded the blog-o-sphere and sports coverage in the media is out there. You’ve managed to separate yourself and stand out. What advice could you give to others aspiring to find a niche in this saturated situation?
A CHAMPIONSHIP STORY IN THE MAKING?
Sean: Never give up. Keep plugging away. Regardless of how many times the door is shut in your face, stick your foot in the way before it closes and the handle is locked. Demand another opportunity. Make the employer call security and escort you off the premises before taking no for an answer. Be persistent, in a tactful manner, of course. And when given a chance, make the most of it. Be accurate. Double-and-triple check your facts and sources. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. I did it, more times than I can count, to the point where it was embarrassing. That, however, is how you learn and grow.
Andy: I wonder how many of our readers will end up in handcuffs? Outside any run-ins with security, that really is great advice Sean! You spend plenty of time at a keyboard and in the press box. Alot of that time is spent wearing the Original Retro Brand. What is it you like so much about our apparel?
Sean: Great style. Great comfort. I love the old school design of the gear and the fact my t-shirts feel like one of those pieces of clothing you’ve had forever and are not willing to part with just yet. My friends always clown me, they’re always giving me a hard time for wearing my Syracuse shirt (Sean grew up loving Cuse hoops with Derrick Coleman, Sherman Douglas & Stephen Thompson). My response to them: The Original Retro Brand gear is in heavy rotation these days.
Thanks for your time Sean, and good luck against Wiscy Thursday night!
Aside from ESPN & CBS, Sean also puts in work for SLAM Magazine. Follow him on Twitter @seanceglinsky
If you’re a big fan of the Original Retro Brand, and want to be featured for an interview, please forward a picture of yourself wearing Original Retro Brand gear, and a brief description of what you do for a living and/or what you do that you think people might find pretty interesting to ahyman@originalretrobrand.com If we like what we see, you may be contacted for an interview. We’ll even send you an Original Retro Brand T-Shirt if we decide to post your story!
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