My assessment

What I learned in this class over the course of the semester that really stood out to me was I was able to learn a few different profile story styles. The class gave em an opportunity to write a day in the life story for the first time and proofreading the work of my peers also opened my eyes to new styles in the profile story assignment. That, along with putting together my first video, was the biggest thing this class taught me.

Personally, I graduate this Saturday and enter the real world and a suffering job market. I'm confident that the University of Northern Colorado and the journalism program here have prepared me to succeed. Having professors drive me to be a reporter at The Mirror, force me to expand my range and be supportive of me during my growth are things that were essential for me.

The only thing I think the journalism program is missing is something it really has no control over. Not until I did my internship at The (Greeley) Tribune did I realize what the career field really demands from a person, especially in sports. The hours, the low pay and the time away from family is something I saw first hand in my intership. It taught me how much dedication it will take to make it in the profession. After completing the internship and getting my degree, I do feel I am ready to start the next chapter of my life.

What I've learned from my beat

While my beat ended its season a little earlier than in recent years, there were still plenty of writing opportunities and learning experiences available to me covering the UNC men’s basketball team. Over the course of the 2011-2012 basketball season I used an array of story styles. I had two columns, three profiles and numerous event stories published over the season. This year, though, I had the chance to not only experiment with new assignments and techniques, but improve on what I already felt comfortable doing.

The workload of covering a beat wasn't anything new to me, but continuing to expand my comfort level with the beat and try new writing styles is where the real learning occurred for me. It may not seem like a big difference but the fact that this year's Bears team had its worst season record wise since the 2006-2007 campaign made it challenging.

I had the luxury in the last four years to write about winning seasons as the team’s beat writer for The Mirror. Writing about a win is easier than writing about a loss. With the rebuilding and underachievement by this year's team, I gained experience in writing columns that pointed out negatives in my beat.

            What I liked about completing these assignments for my beat was getting to work with video for the first time.  It is a skill that is growing increasingly important in the journalism industry. At first I was hesitant to try it, but as the assignment went along I enjoyed working behind the camera.

            If there was one thing I really wish I had improved on during this semester, it’d be with this very blog. There is a lot of things I still have to learn about incorporating social media and blog posts into my work.

UNC Hoops Headquarters backstory

The purpose of this blog is to further my understanding of covering a beat and gain experience in blogging. This is the first blog I have ever worked on so I expect there to be a little bit of a learning curve.

Though this is my first blog, this isn't my first time covering a beat or covering the UNC men's basketball team beat in particular. I've been the beat writer for the Bears since the start of the 2009-2010 season.

I am confident in my ability to cover this beat with accuracy and timeliness because of my previous experience with this program. The fact that I've been a sports reporter at the UNC Mirror and have interned for both the Canon City Daily Record and The (Greeley) Tribune has prepared me for deadline writing.

I am nervous, however, about my layout skills because I have not spent any time as an editor or blogger so far in any of my experiences.  That is my greatest fear as a graduating senior and what makes me a little self-conscious in this blog. My goal in this project and remainder of the semester is to develop and understand more about layout. Laying out this blog will be a good start.

Two UNC guards suspended

Junior guards Elliott Lloyd and Aaron Hawk-Harris were suspended indefinitely late last week and did not make the trip for the Bears' overtime win against Northern Arizona on Jan. 30.

UNC sports and information director Scott Ward said the suspensions were handed down for violations of team rules but did not specify.

Lloyd was the only returning starter from last year's Big Sky conference winning championship team; while Hawk-Harris was playing in his first season for the Bears after transferring from College of Eastern Utah.