I'm a writer at my core. I have been since third grade when I interviewed children's author Betty Ren Wright. She wrote stories for Little Golden Books. She told me that to be a writer you have to write...a lot. That was the first great advice I received and it still holds true.I didn't end up writing children’s stories, although my first story was about my dog, Farfel, and her travels. A good start in writing for kids, but in my heart I knew my calling was to become a sports writer.
In high school, I interviewed Duane Kuiper (who played second base for the Cleveland Indians and now is a broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants) and Greg “Grape Juice” Johnson (OJ Simpson's cousin), who played for the Racine Raiders semi-pro football team.
In college, I wrote for The Daily Cardinal, a student paper at the University of Wisconsin and The Capital Times, a Madison daily, covering college and high school sports.
After graduation, I was assistant sports editor at the City News Bureau covering more than 260 high schools in the Chicagoland area. I also freelanced for numerous papers (including The Chicago Tribune), interviewing Edwin Moses, Dave Duerson, John Paxson, among others.
At the Danville Register & Bee in Virginia, I spent a year covering high school and college sports. Highlights were following the Duke men's basketball team on their quest for a second consecutive championship and the Tunstall High School girls’ softball team that went 27-1, losing by one run in the state championship game.
Back in Chicago, I worked the sports desk and covered high school sports for the Chicago Sun-Times and The Daily Herald.
I moved into the corporate world and took a hiatus from sports. I have spent more than 16 years coaching individuals and teams on how to tell their story. In addition, I have written proposals, website content, and sales materials; and developed messages and strategic marketing plans.
I’m back from hiatus now, committed to this new world of sports blogging, and focusing on getting back to my roots.
To contact me by email: p.j.brown2415@gmail.com
