My Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience at the Albany/Vermont Game March 22, 2006
Posted by am1964 in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Even if I wanted to, I would be unable to pretend to be a beat writer or sports journalist, though I had aspirations to be one for as long as I can remember; however, somehow I managed to pass myself off as one for the Vermont America East Conference Tournament Championship Game.
The week before the championship, I pitched the idea about a March Madness section of our Ezine to professor Washburn; I never expected to get an opportunity to see our team up close and personal as they attempted to get to the NCAA tourney and win a conference tournament for the first time in school history. As a part of the assignment we were to be assigned personal photographers from the photo-journalism class. Though we were not supposed to meet the photographers for another week, the time-specific aspect of my assignment required fast action. Through discussion with the other class I was assigned a photographer practically the same day. The only thing preventing us from getting access to the game was media credentials that I would need to get permission for.
Washburn suggested I email the Director of the America East Conference asking for media credentials and permission to get into the game. He rejected me almost immediately suggesting I “try to do such class projects during the regular season.” Discouraged, I contacted the professor again and told him what happened, he managed to get in contact with Brian Depasquale, the Assistant AD/Media Relations of SUNYA. He asked me to be at his office on Saturday at 9:00 AM sharp. There he offered me a media pass, the key to my first ever experience not only being part of the sport journalist fraternity for a day, but also to experience being on the floor for a once in a lifetime experience in school history. I was present the first time
Albany ever won any significant game.
Aside from just being in the game I got experience what accomplished journalist see on a regular basis. I sat in the media room examining press kits, studying statistics, making notes to ask players after the game. I may not have had, the experience, but on that day, no one could have told me otherwise.
Hip Hop Comes Full Circle March 1, 2006
Posted by am1964 in Entertainment.1 comment so far
What was once considered a passing fad or a craze within the inner city and impoverished black youth has now become an exhibit of historical significance according to the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
Hip-hop music and culture was once an unassuming but lyrically potent poetic form of rebellion. A form of rage against the state of urban America.
Almost thirty years later, hip-hop has become a staple of American pop culture. Even suburban adolescents can recite rap lyrics, or identify Fifty Cent.
It is fitting that the Smithsonian would provide an exhibit celebrating hip-hop especially because it has become a mainstay in American culture–a pop culture phenomenon if you will.
In part Smithsonian is giving credit where credit is due, but as an institution displaying American Culture, it would be remiss for the organization to disregard hip-hop as so many from the past have done.
I was interested not only in hearing about the exhibit, but I found myself compelled to visit it once it was opened. Not only to reminisce about the music I grew up with, but also to pay homage to what was once compared to a passing craze like the “Pet Rock,” or “Beanie Babies.”
