Maria Burns Ortiz

Less than a month ago, NAHJ’s Sports Task Force launched its mentoring program.

We already have a success story.

In her first foray into professional sports writing, Marisset Pastrana, a student member from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, covered the Central American and Caribbean Games for ESPNdeportes.com.

This project was made possible as a result of collaboration with her NAHJ Sports Task Force mentor, Mario Fraticelli, deputy editor for ESPNDeportes.com.

Under Mario’s guidance, Marisset completed a three-part package that ran on the sports website. Marisset’s tweets were from the event were also featured in the special section @ESPNdeportes.com.

espndeportes.com

Check out Marisset’s ESPNDeportes.com package:

A never-ending optimism: Volunteers and workers at Juegos Mayagüez 2010 were back on their feet after a tornado hit the location where the Opening Ceremony was scheduled to take place.

Commitment to excellence: An overview of the groups in charge of developing high-performance athletes in countries such as Puerto Rico, Mexico and Colombia.

Next destination: Veracruz 2014: Final recap stating the impact of Juegos Mayagüez 2010 in the local economy and an overview of the preparations taking place in Veracruz.

Marisset Pastrana

“I thank Mario for giving me this great opportunity and believing in my abilities from the outset,” Marisset said. “His mentoring was a key factor in this project’s success, and our exchange of ideas made it possible for me to achieve what I hoped to accomplish with this package.”

Mario praised Marisset’s commitment and professionalism over the course of the project, saying, “She showed an enthusiastic approach to the experience and was truly engaged in the feedback as we moved forward in the process.”

It’s just one example of what can be accomplished when you bring together motivated students and dedicated mentors.

About the mentoring program

The Sports Task Force mentoring program partners students and young professionals with experienced journalists who offer guidance, feedback and insight into what the industry is really like.

If you’re a sports journalists looking for a mentor or interested in being a mentor, please shoot me an e-mail at mariaburnsortiz@gmail.com.

About the NAHJ Sports Task Force

Relaunched in the spring of 2010, the NAHJ Sports Task Force serves as the sports journalism arm of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. The NAHJ Sports Task Force mentoring program pairs aspiring sports journalists with experienced professionals who offer insight, feedback and guidance. For more on the Sports Task Force, check out our Facebook Group and/or our Facebook Fan page

Maria Burns Ortiz is a freelance journalist.  She is a Page 2 contributor and soccer writer for ESPN.com.  Maria is the Region 2 director for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and chair of the NAHJ Sports Task Force.