Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Timeline
Second place FSWA breaking news (2005)
Generic

John Patton

Williston,FL

Summary

Accomplished sports writer known for delivering authoritative coverage and engaging storytelling. Expertise in reporting, feature writing, editing, audience engagement, and team collaboration, with a track record of enhancing readership through innovative content development.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Sports Writer

Freelance
07.2012 - Current
  • Developed engaging sports articles covering various events and athletes.
  • Conducted in-depth research to ensure accuracy and relevance of content.
  • Collaborated with editors to refine articles for publication standards.
  • Maintained strong relationships with athletes, coaches, and industry professionals.
  • Adapted writing style to cater to diverse audiences across multiple platforms.
  • Analyzed trends in sports journalism to enhance storytelling techniques.
  • Mentored emerging writers on effective reporting practices and editorial standards.
  • Delivered authoritative sports coverage with careful attention to game facts, stats and predictions.
  • Covered numerous events personally, traveling to games across Florida to create buzz and offer expert coverage.
  • Pitched and developed new columns, consistently increasing readership with proven sports and reporting expertise.
  • Created new athlete profile column highlighting top players and rising stars in different sports.
  • Oversaw work of numerous reporters covering all high school sports.
  • Participated in editorial meetings to brainstorm ideas, discuss feedback, and strategize future content direction.
  • Improved readability of articles by adhering to strict grammar rules and implementing clear language that resonated with target audiences.
  • Acted as media contact for Marion County's sports teams from 2012-2023.
  • Covered live sporting events, providing real-time updates, insightful commentary, and post-game analysis for readers.

Sports Writer

Gator Country
Gainesville, FL
06.2011 - 05.2012
  • Served as the beat writer for the University of Florida men's basketball team.
  • Managed online sports columns, blogs and video pieces.
  • Wrote features, game stories and previews.
  • Revitalized community sports coverage by increasing assignments and revamping quality standards.
  • Had a strong social media presence, including chats on the website's message boards.

Sports Writer

Gainesville Sun
Gainesville, FL
11.1999 - 05.2010
  • Served as the high school sports editor and as a backup on University of Florida sports beats the entire time.
  • Served as the Jacksonville Jaguars' beat writer from 2004-2006, when the paper discontinued covering the team.
  • Covered dozens of high school state championships, two Final Fours in men's college basketball, a national championship college football game and Super Bowl XXXIX.
  • Edited more than five pieces per week of freelance writers, carefully checking content wording and facts.
  • Created weekly assignments for a freelance staff that ranged between three and seven people.
  • Taught junior reporters ins-and-outs of how to effectively cover different sports and consistently give audiences desired information, stats and analysis.
  • As part of an APSE-award-winning staff, I helped bring the Sun to forefront of regional sports journalism by maintaining complete coverage for popular sports at high school, college and professional levels.
  • Covered numerous events personally, traveling to games across the United States to create buzz and offer expert coverage.
  • Helped social media team improve promotions and engagement by providing top-notch sports content targeted on specific audiences.
  • Strengthened brand identity through consistent voice and tone across all written materials, solidifying the publication''s reputation as a reliable sports news source.
  • Assisted in managing the editorial calendar to ensure a diverse range of topics were covered consistently throughout the year.
  • Enhanced reader engagement by incorporating captivating storytelling techniques and in-depth analysis in sports articles.
  • Acted as media contact for high school sports programs in the Gainesville Sun coverage zone. During that time, I was in charge of covering 34 schools in all sports, boys and girls.
  • Fulfilled tight deadlines without compromising quality by prioritizing tasks efficiently during busy periods or high-profile events coverage.
  • Collaborated with editors for timely publishing of articles, resulting in a well-organized and efficient workflow.
  • Conducted research to ensure accuracy and credibility in every article, maintaining high journalistic standards.
  • Developed strong relationships with athletes, coaches, and industry professionals through effective communication and interviewing skills.
  • Participated in editorial meetings to discuss story ideas and content.
  • Reported from field locations and wrote stories under tight deadlines.
  • Developed relationships with sources and contacts to gain additional insight.
  • Wrote in-depth features outside of my beats on such topics as the growth of UFC and the World Series of Poker.
  • Attended press conferences and other media events to gather relevant information and quotes for stories.
  • Was the host of a local television show that focused on local high school basketball from 2007-08.

Education

Business

University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Skills

  • Strong writing skills
  • Aggressive story finding
  • Audience engagement
  • Player and coach profiles
  • Live sports reporting
  • Deadline management
  • Editing and proofreading
  • Management of writing staff
  • Multimedia reporting
  • Team collaboration
  • Creative writing
  • Breaking news coverage

Interests

  • I am co-authoring the autobiography of WWE, Florida State and Orange Bowl Hall of Famer Ron Simmons
  • I was the Miami Herald's professional wrestling/mixed martial arts beat writer from 1994-96
  • I love animals
  • Swimming

Timeline

Sports Writer

Freelance
07.2012 - Current

Sports Writer

Gator Country
06.2011 - 05.2012

Sports Writer

Gainesville Sun
11.1999 - 05.2010

Business

University of Florida

Second place FSWA breaking news (2005)

Reported on the sudden death of Division I college football quarterback prospect Chris Smith of Bradford High School.

John Patton