Front row can make a person nervous. You have everyones eyes looking in your direction at all times. Most people would try to go somewhere in the middle, but that’s not where all the opportunities are. At the High School Journalist Day at the Joe Louis Arena I walked straight up to the front row and copped a squat. Even though we were interviewing professionals I was there to capture opportunities and  wasn’t going to shy away from a front row seat. Back Row doesn’t allow to capture opportunities like that.

“I do what I do Every day because I love to do it. If you can find something you absolutely love. Do it.”

Not only attending the practice and seeing players like Pavel Datsyuk in action, I was able to ask questions to players like Daniel Cleary, who I’ve been watching since I was little, and Stephen Weiss in a press conference. Along side the players, I asked questions to legendary coach Mike Babcock and GM Ken Holland.

“What I’m trying to tell you is if you can find something you are good at and are truly passionate about, pursue it.”

Gathered in attendance for the High School Journalist day at Joe Louis Arena. Great opportunities were captured within camera lens’ and within the questions that were being asked.

Along with Mike Babcock, a panel of currently working sports media experts were there to answer our questions. The panel, included big names like, Kevin Allen, Michael Caples, Ken Kal, and Dana Wakiji.

“Go outside the box, challenge yourself.” said radio announcer Ken Kal. Kal had a lot of great advice for us all. “Always work hard to get better.” Inspiring words like this came from all of the panelists that day. It felt like we were getting a step ahead, here we were, getting advice from the best of Michigan in the fields we are aspiring to join when we graduate.

Kevin Allen gave the best advice in saying “Be comfortable writing everything, don’t be afraid to ask questions.”  If I can take away anything from my experience it would be that I should never give up on myself, my goals, and my dreams.

Coach Babcock gave us a perspective of someone who has already been through the ranks, learned it all and practiced it all. I was very appreciative to listen and learn form the advice Babcock gave.

“Let your ups be better than your downs” as he said. Life advice was in abundance as Babcock spoke to us. He wanted to send us off with the best outlook on life as possible, and that is what he did.