GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Two dozen college journalism students and collegiate newspaper writers will have the opportunity to cover a professional sporting event, 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 and Michigan Office Solutions (MOS), who on Thursday announced details of the inaugural MOS College Sports Scribes Experience.

Colleges and universities throughout west, southeast and central Michigan will each be invited to select one deserving student from both their journalism program and school newspaper to participate in this unique event, which will take place before, during and after the Griffins home game on Wednesday, March 2 against the Rockford IceHogs.

The experience will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a panel discussion/Q&A session featuring three reporters who cover the Griffins regularly: Pete Wallner of the Grand Rapids Press/MLive, Pat Evans of Michigan Hockey and the Grand Rapids Business Journal, and Griffins vice president of community relations and broadcasting Bob Kaser. They will share their personal experiences and advice on breaking into the sports journalism field.

Participants will then 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 IceHogs. After taking part in a post-game press conference with Griffins players and head coach Todd Nelson, 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 Friday, March 11 to shadow Wallner and write a sidebar to his game story that will be published under the student’s byline on MLive.com.

“Michigan Office Solutions is honored to sponsor the inaugural MOS College Sports Scribes Experience,” said Ralph Slider, president of MOS. “MOS is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen in all areas of our business, especially with our colleges and universities. Through our longstanding partnership with the Grand Rapids Griffins, we can provide this type of unique experience as a way of giving back to the communities in which we serve.

“The MOS College Sports Scribes Experience will allow for journalism students to get up close and personal with a professional sports team and the reporters that cover them to truly understand what it is like to be a sports journalist. This real-life experience is something we are thrilled to offer to the college students in our area,” added Slider.

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, director of marketing for Michigan Office Solutions, at Shelly.Bernecker@mos-xerox.com or (616) 785-7866.

About Michigan Office Solutions
Michigan Office Solutions (MOS) represents the best of both worlds when it comes to your business solutions – the technology strength and innovation of Xerox and 3D printing technology along with the agility of locally managed services and support team. MOS has been serving the Michigan community for over 58 years with eight locations throughout the state. Through the MOS 360° 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. For more information, visit mos-xerox.com.