Articles, Stories and Bylines
Relevant Pieces
Former UM athlete attributes comedic success to Greek life, risk-taking: https://www.themiamihurricane.com/2017/02/01/former-um-athlete-attributes-comedic-success-to-greek-life-risk-taking/
This article was challenging to write because I had to find a way to contact a former Saturday Night Live comedian. But I was able to find a way through persistence and determination. I even went straight to his comedy show to ask him in person. I ended up writing this profile about his unique life for The Miami Hurricane.
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman: 'We expect Corey to be back': https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/blackhawks/blackhawks-gm-stan-bowman-we-expect-corey-be-back
For this article, I joined a conference call with Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman and broke the news that the team’s goalie was expected to be back by training camp. I was referenced by multiple sources, including CBS Sports.
Early College Recruitment: A blessing and a curse: https://benbokunsportsblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/18/early-college-recruitment/
An enterprise story about colleges that are increasingly recruiting kids at an early age that took me nearly three months to research and write.
Even if Jordan hadn't retired, Robert Horry thinks there's no way Bulls would've beaten Rockets in '94 or '95 NBA Finals: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/even-if-jordan-hadnt-retired-robert-horry-thinks-theres-no-way-bulls-wouldve-beaten-rockets-94
This article was one of the highlights of my internship at NBC Sports Chicago. It illustrates my ability to find news that would have previously gone undiscovered. I found an important quote within an obscure podcast episode and it received a lot of buzz around the Chicago Bulls basketball sphere when I chose to write about it. This was one of the most-read articles of the week at NBC Sports Chicago.
Is Matt Forte pushing for a coaching job with the Bears?: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/matt-forte-pushing-coaching-job-bears
NCAA.com
Matthew Wolff joins Tiger, Ben Crenshaw as only golfers to win NCAA and PGA Tour titles in same year: https://www.ncaa.com/news/golf-men/article/2019-07-08/matthew-wolff-joins-tiger-ben-crenshaw-only-golfers-win-ncaa-and
The way-too-early men's lacrosse top 25 rankings for the upcoming 2020 season: https://www.ncaa.com/news/lacrosse-men/article/2019-07-18/way-too-early-mens-lacrosse-top-25-rankings-upcoming-2020
NBC Sports Chicago
'What the f--k': Sammy Sosa wants some recognition from the Cubs: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/what-f-k-sammy-sosa-wants-some-recognition-cubs
This was an example of another quote I found about the Chicago Cubs that sent fans into a frenzy when I wrote an article about it. My piece received thousands of shares on Facebook and hundreds of retweets on Twitter. It was a top article of the week on the website at NBC Sports Chicago, and it was viewed thousands of times. Here, I used my judgement to figure out what topics specific people desire.
Odd men out?: Did the Bulls make the right decision in committing to Blakeney?: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/odd-men-out-did-bulls-make-right-decision-committing-blakeney
This was an analysis piece I wrote for NBC Sports Chicago. It compares three different players the Chicago Bulls could have signed during the offseason.
Utah Jazz show they're still salty about MJ's final shot with Bulls: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/utah-jazz-show-theyre-still-salty-about-mjs-final-shot-bulls
This was one of the first articles I wrote during my internship this past summer. I found a playful Instagram comment the Utah Jazz posted on a picture of Michael Jordan and decided to write about it. My article was a top-10, most-read article of the week at NBC Sports Chicago.
The Miami Hurricane
UM entrepreneurs develop protein bar fit for dietary restrictions: https://www.themiamihurricane.com/2017/05/18/um-entrepreneurs-develop-protein-bar-fit-for-dietary-restrictions/
I saw some students giving out samples of an organic protein bar they were developing at the University of Miami and chose to write a story about them for The Miami Hurricane when I found out nobody knew about their project.
WNUR Sports
No. 15 Northwestern lacrosse gets a statement win against No. 6 USC: https://wnursports.com/2018/02/25/no-15-northwestern-lacrosse-gets-a-statement-win-against-no-6-usc/
This recap article is an example of some of the campus reporting I have completed during my time at Northwestern University.