Final story ideas and thoughts

Hello everyone:

I sensed a little confusion and even frustration last night with regard to the Final Project ideas and requirements. Here are some examples from last year, along with some other thoughts.

Issue-based story ideas from last year

1. Lack of track facilities at Marist: This is a subject near and dear to my heart. And now with an added wrinkle for 2011-2012!
2. Lack of a club lacrosse team at Marist: Apparently, there was a push for a club men's lax team, and this was explored by a student in class last year.
3. Search for a new women's soccer coach: After a successful fall 2010 season, the women's soccer program searched for a new coach to replace the interim coach.

Profile-based story ideas from last year

1. Profile of the women's basketball program's involvement with the Friends of Jaclyn charity.
2. Profile of a Marist alum who was working as an executive with the New Jersey Nets.
3. Profile of an up-and-coming assistant football coach at the College of Charleston (student knew the coach from high school).
4. Profile of a high school soccer program and rivalry in upstate New York (where the student was from.

I hope this gives you a little better idea. I urge you to put on your thinking caps and come up with some ideas of your own. That is part of reporting -- finding stories and ideas out there.

Again, some of the basic requirements include:

1. If it is an issue-based story, talking and presenting both sides of the issue.
2. If it is a profile-based story, using multi-layered sources with in-depth information.
3. Double the length of a normal story.
4. Double the sources of a normal story.
5. A sidebar/box/graphic element to supplement the main story.

OK. I hope this helps.

You MUST come into class with at least one story idea that fits this criteria.

Any questions, call/text or email me any time.

Coach Pete