I have written several times about great athletes and sporting events. Some of my best times and most unique experiences came not from the players but from the folks who brought the sights and sounds of the games to the fans. I have had the pleasure of sharing press booths with members of local and national media.

Bruce Miles

One of my biggest thrills was sharing a press table with highly respected veteran sports writer Bruce Miles. After following Bruce for years, it was surreal to be with him at Athletes Unlimited Softball games. Seeing the game through his eyes, getting his perspective, watching how he recapped plays and interviewed players was quite a learning experience. Not only did this help me be a better writer, it also gave me a fascinating and different perspective of the games.

Barb Jordan and Mike Knezevich

Before there was AU Softball, there was National Pro Fastpitch with broadcasters Barbara Jordan and Mike Knezevich, another two excellent broadcasters. Several years back I sat next to the legendary late Les Grobstein as he announced Chicago Rush football games. Grobstein had few notes, but his tremendous memory was all he needed. I have also shared press tables with Maggie Hendricks and Patricia Babcock-McGraw for NCAA women’s basketball games and others at various sporting events.

Les Grobstein

Maggie Hendricks

Patricia Babcock-McGraw

My most recent media encounter was a podcast with Elliott Serrano. A major presence on the pop culture scene, Serrano has been an inspiration to me for years. Simply interacting with him on the podcast and a previous interview was an amazing learning experience.

Elliott Serrano

More consistently, I have worked with very talented writers and editors at Global Traveler. Even after many years working on these blogs, I still learn from them every day. I think and hope they make me keep improving as a writer. I wouldn’t have worked with all the other media folks, if it wasn’t for the fine editorial staff at GT.

These are moments and people I will never forget. Each very generously helped me and gave me incredible moments. I appreciate and thank them all.

— John Wroblewski, online writer