Covering Sports During a Pandemic

Empty stadium

March thirteenth, 2020, is the day sports changed forever. Games and tournaments were canceled. Seasons were put on hold. The future of youth, college, and professional sports across the United States was in jeopardy. It threw a curve-ball at people who work in sports and millions of other Americans who lost their jobs due to COVID-19. It has been many long and uncertain months with roadblocks along the way.

The NBA, NHL, NWSL and WNBA just wrapped up their seasons this past month in a bubble format. No positive cases were reported from any of those four bubble environments. And this fall, football is at center stage. There has been a handful of cancellations in both college football and the NFL, but both have not shut down completely, yet, which is a positive sign.

The protocols at all levels have been high but the consequences of the pandemic could have a lasting impact.

I have covered high school sports since 2015. I never could have imagined this. It could be a long time until things in the sports world are back to “normal.”

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Career and Transfer Connections: Changing with the Times

Many students on campus are already aware of the various resources available at their disposal, such as the library or financial aid. However, one area that less people know about is Career and Transfer Connections. Since Sierra College is a career-based school, it only makes sense to have a team of people who help students with their plans after they graduate. Whether a student wants to transfer or go into the workforce, this team is here to guide them.

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Traveling & Tourism Post Coronavirus: What Now?

Brandenburger Tor, Berlin, Germany

Starting in early March, 2020, many countries went into lock-down due to the Coronavirus. Schools closed, people started to work from home, you could not go anywhere without a mask and sanitizer, and takeout became many people’s safest way to shop for food. Then on March 14th, a travel ban was placed on the United States to 26 European Countries. Many businesses and industries were, and are, severely impacted by this pandemic. While online shopping started to be the main source of shopping for many people, one business suffered immensely, and that was the travel industry. 

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Bike Messenger: Tasha Rose

legs of cyclist, Tasha Rose, by pink bike

Growing up around San Francisco, you see messenger bikers constantly. The speed, style, and rebellious nature was always fascinating to me. There are messenger bikers in almost every major city in the world, but none work harder than San Francisco’s. Brutal weather conditions, constant rolling hills, and some of the most hectic traffic on the planet, create a perfect ecosystem for talented cyclists to prove their skills.

I was lucky enough to photograph and speak with some of these messengers for this story, and interview Tasha Rose. Rose is a sponsored cyclist riding for All-City Cycles and King Kog Shop, and a full-time messenger with the Candlestick Courier collective. If there is a single person in the industry that people are inspired by, it is absolutely, Tasha Rose.

I decided to interview Rose due to her local recognition, her amazing attitude, and because she is very well-spoken. She provided me with a lot of information about being a bike messenger, and explained some struggles they face on a day to day basis.

Rose is a strong and inspiring woman on and off the bike, and continues to drive for added support for WTFs; women, transgender, and femme cyclists. She set aside some time to chat with me at her apartment on November 11th. In our conversation, we focus on her work in 2020. 

 

Thomas Edgington is a Journalism major at Sierra College. He plans to continue his studies in documentary and photojournalism.

Written and photographed by Thomas Edgington | Audio edited by Leonor Bright

Voice of Immigrants

America has been seen as the number one country for immigrants looking for a new home. With the first immigrant wave occurring in 1815 consisting primarily of Irish and Germans, America has been a land of immigrants since its founding. In the book, Common Sense, Thomas Paine wrote about America being an asylum for those facing civil and religious scrutiny. George Washington said, “The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respected Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges…” The men that created the United States of America were immigrants themselves, escaping the tight grip of Great Britain, with high hopes of the opportunity this land held.
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Long Live the People

People standing outside in protest, American flag in the background

On a sunny October 18th in San Francisco, a group of more than forty demonstrators gather near the Joseph Strauss statue off the Golden Gate Bridge. The attendee dress code has two requirements: the color black and face masks. Paper, cardboard, poster board and cork board house the words and messages these members showcase: “Thailand Democracy Now,” “Reform the Monarchy,” and “Free Speech is Not a Crime,” to mention a few.

The crowd groups together for photos to be taken of their efforts, and in between, a woman stands as the head of the group and reads her speech in Thai to the crowd. Demonstrators keep a hold of their signs or they keep up the three-finger salute with a free hand. Passersby would do a double take on any gathering of people, but today that was the goal.

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Listen: Adele

Saxophone in black and white photo on a stand on a stage

Adele, Nevada County High School Senior

In this episode of Listen, I had the opportunity to interview my friend, Adele. She was in school band for many years. We talk about how she thinks the pandemic has affected high school band programs and what the future will bring.

Podcast by Leonor Bright

Listen: Norbert Stachel

Norbert Stachel with saxophone, sitting white beard, small smile

Norbert Stachel, Multi-Instrumentalist and Composer

In this episode of Listen, world-traveling musician Norbert Stachel talks about his humble beginnings in the Bay Area, how that led to a fulfilling career, and his current home and situation in New York City. He also talks about how the pandemic has affected his career.

For more about Norbert Statchel, see:

Norbert Stachel

Norbert Stachel on Spotify

Podcast by Leonor Bright

The Listen Show

Photo of Leonor Bright, long straight dark hair, silver dangly earrings and necklace, smiling

Listen

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to Listen! Just to tune you in on what this whole series is about, I’m a student of Journalism at Sierra College with an undying love for music. I wanted to create a story focusing on different perspectives within the music industry, and find out how these individuals have been affected by this pandemic.

There are seven episodes total, excluding this one and my final thank yous. Each episode features a different guest that I had the opportunity to interview talking about their experience in the pandemic. Really, it’s up to you to decide what order you want to go in. You can listen to all episodes, two episodes, five episodes, it really is up to you.

Seeing as this is my debut as a podcast host, this was a really enriching experience for me. I hope you people out there enjoy listening to this series as much as I enjoyed making it.

Thank you!

Podcast

Here are the shows in the series:

Listen: Adele

Listen: Norbert Stachel

Listen: Trina Hill

Listen: Katie Knipp

Listen: Geoff Siegel

Listen: Sierra Contreras

Listen: Marigold

Listen: A Final Thank You 

Text & Podcast by Leonor Bright

Listen: Across the Music Scene in a Pandemic

Before the Pandemic Set In

Wow, I am so excited to see my friends for the first time in years. I did not think it would be this soon, but I am extremely glad for it. In a little over a month, April 18th, I will be seeing my friends in Marigold perform live for the very first time. The excitement is boiling up inside. I can barely contain it. Nothing else matters, I have to see this concert. With each passing day, I get more and more anxious, but it is less about my excitement.

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Listen: Katie Knipp

Katie Knipp sitting on couch with arms spread and legs crossed, long dark curly wavy hair

Katie Knipp, Blues Singer

In this episode of Listen, blues singer Katie Knipp talks about how her music career has been affected by the pandemic. She is currently working on her next album in a socially distant environment that still allows for the flow of creativity.

For more about Katie Knipp, see:

Katie Knipp

Podcast by Leonor Bright | Photo of Katie Knipp by Elle Jaye

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