GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Two dozen college journalism students, newspaper writers and aspiring sportswriters will have the opportunity to cover a professional sporting event, meet and learn from members of the media, and possibly earn the chance to author a bylined story on MLive.com thanks to the Grand Rapids Griffins, Michigan Office Solutions (MOS) and the fourth annual MOS College Sports Scribes Experience.

Students from colleges and universities throughout Michigan are invited to apply to participate in this unique event, which will take place before, during and after the Griffins’ home game on Friday, March 29 against the Chicago Wolves.

Deadline for applications is Friday, March 22, and applicants will be notified of their status no later than Monday, March 25. Students majoring in journalism, communications, public relations, sport management and related fields are encouraged to apply, and 24 will be selected to take part in the event.

The experience will begin at 5 p.m. on March 29 with a panel discussion/Q&A session featuring several media who regularly cover the Griffins, including Pete Wallner of the Grand Rapids Press/MLive, Emily Waldon of The Athletic, and Zach Harig of FOX 17. They will share their personal experiences and advice on breaking into the sports journalism field, before participating in a networking meet-and-greet with the students.

Participants will enjoy a press box tour and pre-game meal from Van Andel Arena concessions before settling into their press box seat to watch the 7 p.m. game between the Griffins and Wolves. After taking part in a post-game press conference with Griffins players and head coach Ben Simon, the students will need to work quickly and efficiently to submit their written game stories prior to a midnight deadline.

All stories submitted on time will be reviewed by MLive’s Wallner, who will select the best one based on content, accuracy and conformity to AP style. The writer of that story will win the opportunity to return to the Griffins’ game on Wednesday, April 10 to shadow Wallner and write a sidebar to his game story that will be published under the student’s byline on MLive.com.

The first two winners of the MOS College Sports Scribes Experience are now employed as journalists. Beau Troutman (2017) from Grand Valley State University is a sports writer for the LaSalle (Ill.) News Tribune, while Central Michigan University's Taylor DesOrmeau (2016) covers government and business for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot/MLive. Last year’s winner, Andrew Streitel, is now a senior at Western Michigan University.

“Michigan Office Solutions is honored to partner with the Grand Rapids Griffins to bring back the annual MOS College Sports Scribes Experience this year,” said Paul Hartley, president of MOS. “MOS continues our commitment to communities by giving back in all areas of our business, especially with our colleges and universities. This program has proven to be a springboard for aspiring sports journalists and we couldn’t be more thrilled to provide this type of unique experience, helping the next generation of sports journalists.”

For more information about the MOS College Sports Scribes Experience, please contact: Randy Cleves, Griffins senior director of public relations, at rcleves@griffinshockey.com or (616) 988-0246; or Shelly Bernecker, vice president of marketing for Michigan Office Solutions, at Shelly.Bernecker@mos-xerox.com or (616) 785-7866.

About Michigan Office Solutions
About MOS - Michigan Office Solutions (MOS) represents the best of both worlds when it comes to your business solutions – the technology strength and innovation of Xerox along with the agility of locally managed services and support teams. MOS has been serving the Michigan community for more than 60 years. Through the MOS 360⁰ Assessment process, we help businesses transform their work environment, streamline processes and improve employee productivity. Get back to focusing on what you do best, we’ll take care of the rest. Michigan Office Solutions, you can count on us.