Hastings College graduate and Lincoln Journal Star’s Husker Extra writer Brian Rosenthal ’94 teamed up with Hastings College Associate Professor of Communication Arts Kathryn Stofer and Nebraska Wesleyan journalism professor James Schaffer to write and publish “Sports Journalism: An Introduction to Reporting and Writing.”

Rosenthal has taught several sports writing courses for Hastings College J-Term and admits the idea for the book came from necessity.

“It was one of those light bulb moments,” Rosenthal said. “There were no real textbooks out there for sports writing classes. So we thought, ‘Why don’t we write one.’”

The authors aimed to provide students and media professionals a sports writing guidebook and easy-to-use resource for sports writing styles and language. The book easily incorporates technical instruction with real world examples and advice written in the language of sports writers. The textbook is the product of a six-year collaboration by the professor and former student team.

“Sports Journalism: An Introduction to Reporting and Writing” covers the basics of everything from the changing industry technologies, news values and conventions to leads, nut grafs, simple sentences and headlines.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students. Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s.