Experience
A veteran print sports journalist of newspapers since 2005, I have served roles as a news reporter, sports writer, sports editor and copy editor, all for news organizations in Texas.
Throughout my tenure in the industry, I have focused on expanding on print sports coverage with enterprise reporting, feature work and diversifying approach to game and event stories, but I have also emphasized and specialized in moving a department forward online and in social media. This means initiating online ventures for the sports department such as podcasts, blogs, videos, Twitter and Facebook entities in order to keep readers up to date and completely aware of news, anytime, anywhere. I have found multiple ways for online to complement print coverage, and as a result, have seen readership grow and appreciate new ways of dealing with things.
While immersing myself in the progress of the respective department, I have also grown as a manager and leader of young, hungry individuals eager to find their footing in a tough world. My ability to put people in the best position to succeed has enabled my departments to run fluidly and without interference, maintaining an intense work environment while not overwhelming my staff.
My goal as a sports journalist is to continue moving coverage forward in every avenue possible. Not only in print, but online especially. It has been my mission to embrace the direction of newspapers as we see it and to acclimate my skills to what lies ahead. I work best in environments with a big-picture mindset, unwilling to stay stale and instead willing to take risks and venture where so many newspapers are not.
WORK EXPERIENCE
January 2012 – March 2012 (3 months) Corpus Christi, Texas
I edited copy on the central sports desk for Scripps newspapers’ seven daily sports sections.
June 2007 – January 2012 (4 years 8 months) Laredo, Texas
Oversaw a staff of four for a daily newspaper of 16K in south Texas city with eight high schools, a university, a junior college and four minor league sports franchises. Covered high school sports, college basketball and softball, and minor league baseball and indoor football. Initiated start-up for weekly tabloid in October 2010 that emphasized features of local sports people, columns and photo spreads. Managed all online content for sports department and initiated movement into social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, sports website).
Dennis has 1 recommendation (1 partner) including:
- 1st Ronald Oswalt, VP/General Manager, Austin Turfcats Indoor Football
August 2006 – May 2007 (10 months) Northwest Houston
Served as sports editor for five weekly newspapers that saw a circulation of 90,000+ in northwest Houston. One-man department with two stringers. Responsible for coverage of all high schools in Cy-Fair and Klein ISDs, as well as indoor football team and youth organizations. Designed all sports pages for all five newspapers, while also writing most of the editorial content.
December 2005 – July 2006 (8 months) Katy, Texas
General assignment sports writer and photographer for local high school and professional sporting events. Provided local coverage for the Houston Rockets, Astros, Aeros, Comets & Dynamo, as well as general assignment reporter for high schools. Beat writer for the Katy Copperheads, Arena Football League. Authored feature articles, columns and human-interest stories. Also served as news reporter during a transition period for the newspaper.
Content Writer (Internship)
Houston Rockets
Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Sports industry
August 2005 – October 2005 (3 months)
Silva On Sports 