Sports Reporter – University of Texas
Req #25510
Our current portfolio of media assets includes USA TODAY, local media organizations in 46 states in the U.S., and Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom with more than 120 local news media brands. Gannett also owns the digital marketing services companies ReachLocal, Inc., UpCurve, Inc., and WordStream, Inc., which are marketed under the LOCALiQ brand, and runs the largest media-owned events business in the U.S., USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures.
To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com.
Sports Reporter – University of Texas
The Austin American-Statesman/statesman.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for an experienced sports reporter to cover the University of Texas athletics program.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced journalist to tackle the biggest brand in college sports.
The University of Texas produces nationally ranked teams in ‘major’ sports such as football, women’s basketball, men’s basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball. Last school year, the school captured the Learfield Cup, an award given to the most successful college program in the country.
Covering the Longhorns requires a reporter who’s comfortable writing about a variety of sports in a digital-first environment, which includes competition from statewide media, national media and sites devoted to recruiting and all things Longhorns, to grow our digital subscribers.
The ideal candidate is comfortable and experienced using social media to engage and build a following with the dedicated Longhorns fans, enhance reporting and promote stories.
Our Texas beat writer should be comfortable covering the business of college athletics including name, image and likeness and conference realignment issues. Our reporters also are adept at creating video and curating newsletters to enhance their coverage.
Responsibilities:
- Produce content in a variety of formats that connects with readers and grows our audience and digital subscriptions.
- Break news quickly in a competitive market.
- Establish themselves as an authority on the athletes and the program they cover.
- Engage and interact with Texas sports fans on social media and use those platforms to help reach potential readers.
- Develop sources for deeper dives into important topics and issues related to the beat.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Multiple years covering collegiate sports, particularly football.
- Strong command of AP grammar and style.
- Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and "publication ready."
- Passionate and enthusiastic about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
- Comfortable and experienced using social media such as Twitter, Facebook and other social channels to enhance reporting and promote stories.
- Understands reporting ethics and sourcing.
- Excels in a fast-paced sports news environment and understands the digital-first mission.
- Works weekends and nights as needed.
- Collaborates well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.
- This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
- Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check, motor vehicle record check & drug screen.
How to Apply:
We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:
1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.
It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.
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Other details
- Job Family UNION
- Job Function Consumer
- Pay Type Salary
- Required Education Equivalent Experience