Editor’s Note: This is an op-ed written by editor-in-chief Luke Sassa; any thoughts or opinions expressed are his own.
My time as an editor-in-chief for Center Field is winding down, but before I go, I have a few thoughts on what writing for this publication has meant to me.
As the son of a copywriter, writing felt so natural to me growing up. It was something I always enjoyed doing, and given my sports fandom (Let’s go Mets!), it only felt natural for me to fuse my interests and join Center Field.
Yet I couldn’t have envisioned the mentorship and friendships I would gain by joining this group. Immediately, more experienced writers took me under their wing to help me learn the ropes and fine-tune my skill set.
What sticks out the most from my time here is how deeply fulfilling it has been to pass down the skills I was taught to the newer writers who will one day oversee this publication.
Every time a new writer joined Center Field, I got to work with them to develop their writing skills and interviewing techniques just like my mentors did with me. From researching key details and formulating interview questions, to making in-depth edits, structuring ledes and identifying more advanced story angles, I’ve been able to give back a piece of what was given to me.
Seeing new writers emerge highlights how transformative writing can be, not only in developing communication skills but also in building confidence that resonates far beyond an article.
The confidence I’ve gained from becoming a better writer and communicator has helped me in all facets of my life, professionally and personally. It’s how I went from silently attending Center Field meetings on the periphery, to actively leading meetings as my animated, unfettered self.
Helping young writers build the confidence to produce informative, accurate and ethically written journalism is not only key to their development, but it’s also vital for our society moving forward. Human beings have shared information in written form for nearly 5,000 years, but the current landscape is rapidly changing. Attention spans are dwindling, artificial intelligence threatens to replace written human sentiments and social media is rife with misinformation purporting to be actual journalism.
We must continue educating young writers and help them build the skills needed to promote truthful written information about the world around us.
I have thoroughly enjoyed playing just one small part in building these skills within our publication, and I look forward to reading from afar as Center Field continues developing young writers for years to come.
Being a part of an unpaid editorial staff of college students will go down as one of the most enriching experiences of my entire life.
Center Field has grown into one of the largest student-run organizations in the Marist School of Communications and the Arts, providing coverage of Marist athletics and reaching thousands of readers annually. This pre-professional environment has taught each of us how to deal with challenges small and not-so-small that have prepared us for the professional world.
For every correction we’ve issued, website crash we’ve fixed or logistical hurdle we’ve overcome, this group has always struck me with their resiliency and resourcefulness. Together, we’ve learned how to problem-solve, adapt on the fly, brainstorm new ideas and resolve matters promptly.
During my time here, we’ve evolved from a basic operation that relied on chicken scratch notes to stay organized, to a fully operational publication with streamlined internal processes requiring coordination and cooperation from everyone involved.
We went from barely having enough photos to use for our stories, to having entire vaults full of them, to having beautiful graphics that are now paired with nearly every story we post. We went from posting the occasional video, to posting multiple engaging videos each week to enhance our multimedia approach.
We earned an official student club charter from the Marist Student Government Association, cementing our place in the community and capping off a years-long endeavor, while providing our staff with additional resources and support.
We even had to reserve a new room for our general meetings because our old room couldn’t fit the influx of new attendees.
Most rewardingly, we have told the stories of hundreds of athletes and coaches in our community who have made just as large of an impact off the field as they have on it.
To understand what this journey has been like, one only needs to glance at one of the walls within the Marist Center for Sports Communication, where there hangs a piece of computer paper with an Amy Poehler quote printed on it. It reads:
“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
When I first got to Center Field as a freshman, I initially thought this was just any old cheesy quote. I quickly realized that this wasn’t just a quote, but also a mantra that would define my time here.
I will always hold immense appreciation and admiration for my peers who have challenged me and kept me accountable while leading our group. Many of them have become great friends of mine, and these connections are another facet of what has made this experience so special.
My co-chief, Dan Aulbach, has been central to this journey. Working with Dan has helped me realize the power of collaboration, as our healthy debates fueled our editorial process, while our camaraderie allowed us to lean on each other to get things done. Beyond that, Dan is an incredible friend and person who will continue to do a great job leading this publication.
Just as pivotal has been the contributions we’ve received from our lead graphic designers, Jaylen Rizzo and Cara Lacey, who have transformed Center Field’s visual appeal. Last spring, Cara spearheaded the design of the Center Field magazine; we simply couldn’t have done it without her. This fall, Jaylen has played an instrumental role in leading the integration of our first-ever multimedia meetings.
Everyone on our editorial staff has brought something vital and unique to the table. We’ve benefitted greatly from the organizational skills of our managing editor, Marley Pope, the perpetual flow of ideas stemming from assistant editor Aidan Lavin and the deeply researched stories published by associate editor Ben Leeds. I’m particularly excited to watch Ben lead the editorial process next year, as he has developed into a strong writer and leader.
We’ve also been lucky enough to have a standout CSC student leader in Jimmy Tsiantoulas on our staff. His efforts have greatly enhanced our program, and his infectious personality has often lifted our spirits; he will be greatly missed after he graduates this semester.
I’m most excited to see what the newest batch of Center Field students will continue to accomplish as they ascend into leadership roles; it’s a special thing when the mentees turn into mentors. I know Center Field will in great hands for years to come, all while being supported by our trusty faculty advisor, Leander Schaerlaeckens and our dedicated Center for Sports Communication director, Andy Elrick.
As I prepare to start my career, I carry with me the lessons, relationships and memories I formed during my time here. I will always be grateful for this journey and proud to call myself a Center Field alum.
-LS
Edited by Dan Aulbach
Photo from Gavin Hard
