I remember the day fondly. As a inexperienced 17-year-old journalist, I stood at the side of a swimming pool in east Wichita awaiting a meet between Wichita Independent, Wichita Heights and Kapaun Mount Carmel. I didn’t know when I needed to talk to the coaches and I sure as heck didn’t have any idea about anything I was watching. Yet, there I stood thinking that sportswriting was a career I might be interested in.
Almost five years later, I’m preparing to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism and most importantly, I have found a career that I’m extremely passionate about.
I’m blessed to walk the road that I’m traveling on. From time as a correspondent for the Wichita Eagle, working for the Associated Press and as a staff writer and sports editor for the Collegian, I’ve seen a number of angles to high school, college and professional sports.
I could spend time re-hashing specific assignments or athletes that I’ve talked to, but that’s not what’s most important. Behind all of these interviews are people who have lived a life very much like my own and that’s what has made my time as a writer most memorable.
If I threw out the question, “what life experience has played the greatest influence on you today?” a memory is going to hit you within seconds. Whether it’s positive or negative, it’s worth sharing. As a writer at the Collegian, I’m fortunate to have provided a platform for athletes, fans and a few other acquaintances to share these incredible stories.
In what might seem like a personal plug, I bring up my work on K-State sophomore guard Marcus Foster for anything but that reason. As I stood in front of Marcus at K-State Media Day in October, he shared his heart and how his parents have influenced him in his pursuit of a professional basketball career.
He then directed me toward his mother, who went on to share with me how even through unemployment, she found peace and comfort in being able to travel with Marcus to his AAU basketball games. It’s a story of love, perseverance and dedication. It’s something that I’ll never forget as I pursue a greater sense of the world of writing.
As I prepare to step into the professional world, I’m scared out of my mind and couldn’t be more excited at the same time. Full-time journalism is the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s finally within grasp.
Adam Suderman will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications.
