Most people don’t believe I’m a
sports writer, but I mean, why should they? I’m an 18 year old girl who shows
up to games dressed relatively stylish, with a cute briefcase and a stat book
in hand. Coaches usually scoff at me when I ask for a lineup or worse yet, try
to flirt with me. Many think being a
writer is a joke. Yes, I do get in to games for free, but I don’t go just to
hang out with all my friends. It is weird that I’m “working” while my fellow
peers are working their asses off on a field or court. I get to relax, sit
there, and take it all in. Well, that makes my job sound easy, but it’s
stressful too. I like to prop myself in the corner of the gym or far from the
fans so no one tries to disturb me or tell me how I should write. I always say
if they would like to tell me how to do my job they can go pick up an
application at the paper. But from the first quarter, period, inning or
whatever it is, I’m working just as hard as those players. I need to remember every
single detail, every play, and I can’t mess up because people read what I write.
They get to critique what I do and if they don’t like my style or what I’ve
chosen to write about, so be it, but I’ll hear feedback.
I love what I do though. I’ve met
so many different people and I’ve been able to do my favorite thing in the
world – watch sports. I get paid to go sit at a game or match and just take it
in. Sometimes the hours are long, even those who are paid to write get writer’s
block too. But in the end it’s all worth it. Picking up the paper the next day
and seeing my name next to an article, especially one that makes the front
page, is so rewarding. Better yet is when people in public tell me they’ve read
my work and like what I have to say. Some people also tell me when I mess up or
get something wrong, or even when they don’t like how I’ve worded a particular
play or call, but it all comes with the job.
I’m in the minority, not only am I the
youngest person who works in the sports section at the paper I’m at, but I’m
the only girl as well. I’m the butt of a few jokes, even coaches and officials tease
me saying it’s nice that they’ve brought me in to “class the place up”, but I don’t
let those comments bother me. I’ve always been considered one of the guys
because of my extensive knowledge of sports.
I like to think I know a little bit
about every sport out there, but I’m sure there are some I’ve never even heard
of before. I have my strong points. Football, my absolute, hands-down, favorite
sport, and one of the most complicated for women to understand is an area I thrive
in. Maybe it’s because my vision and knowledge of the game usually makes it
beyond the sidelines and the players’ asses in spandex. Or perhaps it’s due to my
dad’s love of the game? I’ve been lucky enough to be raised in a football
family. Daddy was a walk-on linebacker at the University of Pittsburgh, while both
my cousins went to play in college as well. My oldest cousin Frankie also
coached at both Class AA as well as AAAA in the area, and has high hopes of
moving on to coach college ball. I’ve learned a lot from watching his style of
coaching and how his teams work. But I learn the most just sitting around the
TV with the guys.
I know a whole lot about basketball,
baseball, and softball as well. All were sports I played at a young age but
ended up giving up so as to write instead.
I hold my own in the wrestling department too.
I was born in to a wrestling family. Both my uncles were District champions and
my godfather was the first two-time District champion our town ever had. Wrestling
is about so much more than guys rolling around on a sweaty mat, it’s a sport of
hard-work and discipline. If you don’t believe me, try dating or living with a
wrestler. I’ve never seen men exercise such control and restraint in their
lives. It looks easy, until you take on the challenge to wrestle one and end up
on your back in less than ten seconds. Take it from me and from experience, it’s
definitely not as easy as it looks so don’t be judgmental.
I started this blog because my mom
gave me the idea. She’s said for years that I know so much about sports and I should
share my knowledge with the rest of the female population. If males read this
too, more power to you. You’re getting a look inside the female mind or perhaps
I’m answering questions you’re too scared to ask your jock buddies.
I’ll be giving my random thoughts
about things happening in the sports world whenever I have the time. And just
throwing it out there now, there may be some random rants and things that get
completely off topic, but I’m a random and opinionated person, I apologize in
advance! But for this to work I hope to have feedback from people too, so ask
me questions! Tell me what you want to know or hear about! I can’t answer if I don’t
know, and I’m open to all opinions.
But more to come later!
Xoxo,
~Francesca
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