Hello All!

**cyrevkah** · 01-21-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Showtime and Cyismydog should get together and start a College Sports Mag for kids...

I like this idea! I'd buy it even though I'm not a teen. Maybe Hobbs could get in on it....train him up!

**cyrevkah** · 01-21-2009, 01:19 PM

Hi Ben! Welcome to CF!

**CloneFan03** · 01-21-2009, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Showtime

I think they saw a loss coming. In the downtime between the Big XII Championship and the Title Game, the site I visited turned off registrations.

I did get a few "Gators Suck" messages on YouTube. Normally I reminded those UO (I found out they dislike being called UO as well) fans that Stoops was 4-4 in bowl games, 2-4 in BCS games and 1-2 in title games, losing those title games by an average of 21.5

For the most part, they'd be quiet. Some decided to make a fool out of themselves... they didn't say too much following the game.

I do call Oklahoma fans the worst fanbase in the game. I've spoken with fans from most major universities, and have to say they are the worst as far as class goes.

Haven't talked to Iowa fans yet?!?

**SouthernClone06** · 01-21-2009, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by Showtime

1. Nebraska
2. Kansas
3. Colorado
4. Missouri
5. Iowa State
6. Kansas State

That's a pretty bold prediction, picking us ahead of KSU

It should be a pretty wide open race between Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Until Kansas and Missouri's incoming players can prove themselves, I think the early nod has to go to Nebraska. And I feel dirty just saying that.

**CubsnClones** · 01-21-2009, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by dosry5

Have you gotten to the point where you feel like the creepy older guy at certain bars?

Yes!

I remember a time a hot little honey asked me how old I was, and when I told her 27, she said "wow you're old"...

That was the last time I ever went to a bar....

**cybsball20** · 01-21-2009, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by CubsnClones

Yes!

I remember a time a hot little honey asked me how old I was, and when I told her 27, she said "wow you're old"...

That was the last time I ever went to a bar....

and that was probably a LONG time ago...

**Jonecy** · 01-21-2009, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Showtime

What position is he on the Florida staff, do you know? I hadn't heard about him joining the team. I know since Mullen left we're a little depleted, but hadn't heard about any coaching additions besides adding Washington's former tight ends coach earlier today.

Nice to meet you Ben - welcome to CF! I didn't see anyone reply to this question, so I wanted to let you know that Dan was hired before this past season as the D-line/Asst. Head Coach.

University of Florida Athletics ***GatorZone.com***

Dan is a great guy and was our former head coach. Most of the cyclone faithful still have a lot of love for Dan and are very happy he got to be a part of a National Championship team.

**joefrog** · 01-21-2009, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Showtime and Cyismydog should get together and start a College Sports Mag for kids...

I totally agree! Or at least a blog. Practice makes you better, as does feedback. As for your original post:

"Hey guys, what's up?

My name's Ben. I'm 14 years old, personally am a Florida Gators fan. I hope to one day become a sports writer or sports analyst, so I'm trying to meet as many fans as possible to share my work with and of course, talk some college football!

I'll try and give as much insight as possible. Hope to see you around!"

Hope is great, but change it to will. If that is what you really interests you, dedicate yourself to that end. Repeatedly tell yourself I will be a sports writer or analyst. From the most driven people I have met, their success depended on having that simple focus on chasing their dream. Will it and it will be so.

You sound like you have your act together for your age, so I hope you will take some advice: get great grades. High School is cake, and the grades do matter. Get involved in activities. If you are not athletic enough to make any teams, be a manager, or cover them for your student paper. Prepare for your college entrance exams. Take it seriously.

And if you are a Gator fan, by all means, go to school there! It is a fantastic school and from what I hear the town is a lot of fun. You will enjoy Gator athletics. You can also expect to get some great contacts from going to such a high profile university. While there, network! Meet as many people as you can, and treat them well. You will be surprised how this will not only make you a better person, but you will definitely reap the rewards when you graduate.

I don't mean to sound preachy, I guess I am getting older and if I can help people avoid mistakes I made or learn from the ones I made, then I am going to do it. I wish you the best of luck in pursuing your dreams, and look forward to reading your posts.

Oh, and as a fallback, ISU is a great college. It also has a pretty good journalism department. The former head of the Wall Street Journal opinion page was an alum. The campus is beautiful. The college town atmosphere is great. Our tailgating is amazing, and our bball stadium and crowd is top notch. It is a very comfortable place for having so many students. It is worth considering at least.

**ornryactor** · 01-21-2009, 02:58 PM

Wow, this 14-year old not only formulates complete sentences, but does it with impeccable grammar and punctuation. That's a feat that half of our grown adults can't pull off on a good day.

Welcome to CF, Ben! If I may make a suggestion: if you're serious about wanting to be a journalist, work with the journalism teacher at your school (or English teacher, perhaps) and together select a few of your best pieces. Take those to the offices of your local/regional newspaper, and see if they would allow you to be a guest columnist or contribute a semi-regular column. Based on your age, they may be reluctant to let you write "regular" sports articles, but if you'd be willing to write non-standard sports material, that might do the trick. I'm the last person to suggest dumbing down what you're capable of just to meet someone's expectations based on appearances, but a creative approach to that request would probably get you more initial success. If you can get your foot in the door, than you can show them the quality of your writing and try and move up to weightier assignments. If you can manage to get a writing job (even a volunteer position) for a newspaper at 14, you will be in an AMAZING set-up for pursuing your dream writing job, whatever that may be.

I really hope that you decide to pursue writing for an area publication. After all, the worst they can do is say no, but they'll still remember you either way. You gotta go after what you love!

**cycloneace55** · 01-21-2009, 03:28 PM

Welcome Ben, It looks like you have gotten some sound advice from some of the posters her on CF. I for one agree with Joefrog and Ornryactor about both school and appraoching the school or local paper. This sort of activity looks very good when getting ready for college and gives you practical experiance.

The only other piece of advice I can give you is don't be a total homer. Nothing turns an intelligent reader quicker then reading the rantings of the local teams pet "yes man". Honest evaluation and just criticism is what sports (and most) journalism in this counrty has gotten away from. I for one and most sports fans I know find this homerism pointless and irritating.

Best of luck to you and if its what you want in life then you have to be willing to work for it.

**Showtime** · 01-21-2009, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys, I appreciate it. As of right now I do my writings on Bleacher Report, but I'll see what I can find as far as volunteer contributions go this summer if all goes well.

My Bleacher Report can be found here: Ben Spicer's Sportswriter Profile | Bleacher Report

I do my best to refrain from giving too much of an objectionable opinion. I cover the Gators on the site, so I have to give some sort of a bias towards them, but I try to present both sides of the story.