Category: Student Work

By Rebecca Harris | @MsRebeccaHarris Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — Each member of the 2016 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America Team received cheers and applause, yet Oregon State senior Jamie Weisner heard a deafening roar. Waiting only a few feet away from the OSU pep band for her name to be announced, Weisner …

By Rebecca Harris | @MsRebeccaHarris Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma brought levity and emotion to his remarks after he received the Associated Press Coach of the Year award for the eighth time, and the first since 2011. “I want to be sure my name’s there,” he said to laughs …

By Rebecca Harris | @MsRebeccaHarris Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — Connecticut senior Moriah Jefferson led laps around the court at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, followed closely by sophomore Kia Nurse. Open practice meant that with each pass, the crowd cheered. With each cheer, the 5-foot-7 Jefferson cracked a grin as she shook her head, glanced …

Sports Capital Journalism Program By Jay Smith | @_SmithJ_ North Carolina is set to face off against Syracuse on Saturday in the Final Four.  Carolina enters as the prohibitive favorite to cut down the nets, while Syracuse enters in a position you don’t hear a program with the prominence of the ‘Cuse usually fall under, the …

By Cameron Stewart |@ThatManCam Sports Capital Journalism Program HOUSTON — Before the season that would turn Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield into a household name, he set some goals. Not satisfied with the Big 12 Player of the Year accomplishment he earned last season, Hield raised his expectations up a notch. Hield set three goals: win …

By Frank Gogola | @FrankGogola Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS – Washington head coach Mike Neighbors took a minute to be serious. His answer came out of the blue given the course of the day, but it was real and unique. While other coaches and players responded that their goal is to win the national …

By Cameron Stewart |@ThatManCam Sports Capital Journalism Program HOUSTON — For many McDonald’s All-Americans, being handed the keys to a program from the moment they arrive on campus is a given. The Villanova Wildcats are fortunate that freshman guard Jalen Brunson isn’t like most McDonald’s All-Americans. Two of Villanova’s three leading scorers from last season, …

By Jay Smith |@_smithj_ Sports Capital Journalism Program HOUSTON — The leadership of the National Collegiate Athletic Association may soon become more assertive in its stance against legislation that discriminates against lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people. NCAA President Mark Emmert and University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides, chair of the Division I Board …

Cory Collins covered the 2014 Final Four in Arlington, Texas while a graduate assistant for the sports journalism program on the IUPUI campus. Here is his reflection on the weekend that led to Connecticut’s national championship. By Cory Collins | @CoCoCoryCollins Rarely had it sounded so sweet. Despite some-70,000 bodies standing in the spacious confines …

By Jack Carney | @jackwcarney Sports Capital Journalism Program CHICAGO – With 10:02 left in the second half of the NCAA Midwest Regional Final, Virginia sophomore guard Darius Thompson nailed a three-pointer to give Virginia a 51-37 lead. The Cavaliers were in total command of the game. This was not the first time the Orange …