Olympic Journalist Christine Brennan to Speak at API's Sports Editors Seminar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reston, VA - Fresh off her assignment as a leading voice during the recent Olympic-medal controversy surrounding Canadian figure skating pair Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, USA TODAY columnist Christine Brennan will speak at the American Press Institute's sports editors seminar, April 21-26, 2002.

Brennan, the most-read woman sports columnist in the United States and author of two best-selling skating books, will lead a discussion about women and sports.

Other sessions of the seminar include:

The Writing Life - Opening-night speaker Leigh Montville, CNN/Sports Illustrated's award-winning columnist and author of "At the Altar of Speed: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of Dale Earnhardt," gives a glimpse of his busy career.

Managing the Sports Department - Dave Smith, executive sports editor of The Dallas Morning News, leads this session on the nuts and bolts of being a boss, from good communications to conflict resolution to raising the bar on each staff member's performance.

Reporting and Writing Excellence - Veteran sports journalist Kenn Finkel zeros in on the craft of sports journalism, focusing on solid reporting and lively writing that is free of cliches and clutter.

Big Business, Big Bucks - Sports business writer and Business Week contributing editor Mark Hyman looks at how to give readers the information they need to know about the money and the management behind their favorite teams.

Inside the NCAA - Kansas City Star investigative reporter Mike McGraw offers a roadmap to the sources and documents that tell the behind-the-scenes stories of the local college team.

The Hometown Advantage - High school sports editor Jon Denunzio, layout editor David Murray and former sports editor Neil H. Greenberger of The Washington Post lead this session on how to get the most out of your prep sports coverage.

Sports Is an Active Noun - Independent writing coach Mary Ann Hogan shares tips and techniques for improving writing, coaching writers and diagnosing writing problems.

The Web Can Work Wonders - Rob Curley, manager of the Midwest Content Group for Morris Communications Corp, shows you how to make your Web site your friend.

For more information and to register, go to http://americanpressinstitute.org/sports, or contact API registrar Pat DeFrancesco at (703) 620-3611 or pdefrancesco@americanpressinstitute.org.

About the American Press Institute

The American Press Institute is an independent, not-for-profit educational center with headquarters in Reston, Virginia. It was founded by newspaper publishers in 1946 as the leadership-development and training arm of the news industry. The Institute now offers about three dozen week-long residential seminars annually for professionals in all newspaper departments.

A separate curriculum produced by The Media Center at API focuses on Internet publishing, technology and media convergence. In public seminars and private engagements with individual companies, The Media Center assists professionals in developing and implementing strategies, content and processes for the delivery of information across a variety of platforms.

Through its Extended Learning Center, API develops tailored learning programs for individual media companies. These programs range from leadership development to skills training.

Media Contact:

Gloria Pan

API Communications Coordinator

(703) 620-3611

E-mail: GPan@americanpressinstitute.org