Prep2Prep staff writer, Zach Rizk sat down with John Reid, sports writer for the Daily News in Menlo Park. The local, award-winning journalist told his story as to how he became the journalist he is now.
Prep2Prep: So how did you get into sports journalism?
John Reid: I was living in Napa and at the time I was moving in and out of Napa, before I settled back again in 1989. A friend of mine saw an ad in the Napa Sentinel for a part-time sports journalism writer. I decided I wanted to stay for a bit and then move on to a bigger paper.
I ended up with the Palo Alto Daily News. The Daily News started in December of 1995, I joined them in May of 1996 when I was referred to the sports editor after being handed a flyer of the newly established paper.
I moved from the Daily News in 1999 as I went to Hollister for a job with ‘The Pinnacle”. But after a few months with them I quit and joined another paper in Hollister known as “The Freelance”. I was with them for about three years but they made some changed and unfortunately let me go. I ended up working hard and got hired by the Daily News for a full time job in ‘04. Since then I’ve been a full-time employee.
P2P: Wow that’s some journey.
JR: Yeah well that’s the way it is in this business.
P2P: Any early, interesting/noticeable experiences?
JR: As a ‘greenhorn’ I actually got a press pass to the ‘89 playoffs when the A’s and Giants played!
P2P: Anyone influence you to become a sports journalist?
JR: Even in high school it was in the back of my mind. I was into sports. In high school I knew I wanted to be a sports writer or a sports announcer. I ended up going to college not finding out what I really wanted to do....following college I had to take any job I could to support myself. I got into this business at a late age.
No sports writer influenced me to become one, it was just in my blood to do so.
P2P: What’s your story with school?
JR: I went to UCLA after high school (the defunct Awalt High in Mountain View) in 1971 and ‘72 and I didn't do very well. I opted to not go to class very often, I was very undisciplined. So I ended up taking classes at Foothill during the summer [after dropping out of UCLA], and I had to take English over the summer. [At Foothill] I had a creative writing teacher who made me realize I’m good at writing and that fed my ego as a writer.
P2P: What do you enjoy covering the most?
JR: Well, I think high school football is the most action-packed -- its back and forth and things happen. I’ve also enjoyed covering a lot of Stanford sports. But I’d have to say Stanford baseball is my favorite. There’s something about Stanford baseball. I’ve done a lot of it over the years, not as much lately, but for a period of years I was doing an awful lot. I got to cover them when they went to the 2008 College World Series, so that was fun to go to Omaha. I just enjoy the pace of a baseball game.
P2P: What do you enjoy most about your job?
JR: With my job, I get a lot of variety. I get to write a lot of columns and features and game stories. I love the good feedback I get. A part I love is the variety I get. I’m able to write [for the most part] my style and be my own person.
P2P: How has the rise of technology and social media changed the journalism world?
JR: When Twitter first came, my reaction was ‘that’s another thing we have to do that we’re not getting paid for.' This is a job, a business. We’re working hard as it is and now we have to do something extra. Anytime you’re asked to do more things and you’re getting the same money ... you’ll just have a natural rejection. That being said I enjoy my twitter now. I try to be funny, I have over 300 followers and I try not to be boring. I do have a Facebook but that's not really used in my business, and now we're trying to post out stories online - almost immediately, right when I get it done they try and push it online even if we have a paper coming out the next day.
P2P: A few personal questions now … As a journalist do you ever find that you’re pushing yourself too much?
JR: It can be tough I’ll admit. Its grueling, but its what we’re paid to do
P2P: How old are you?
JR: 59, 60 in October
How long have you been in this business?
JR: I’ve been in the journalism business for 19 years now.
P2P: Do you do anything to de-stress? Golf? tennis?
JR: I’ll record things on television. I watch old reruns from the 60’s and sporting events. I’ll try to watch the Giants if they’re playing well. I do enjoy watching movies too.
One thing i used to do, something I can’t do anymore, is theater acting, I haven't done theater since the mid-90’s. Its a good relief to let yourself loose.
P2P: And that’s a wrap, thank you for your time Mr. Reid!
JR: Of course
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John Reid's awards
2006 Sports Media Person of the Year- Hot Stove Corporation (Santa Clara Co.)
2005, 2007 Peninsula Press Club-First place sports columns; 2011 PPC second-place sports columns; 2007 PPC First place game story
2006 California Prep Sports Writers Association (CPSWA) First place feature; 2013 CPSWA First place breaking news
