Mississippi State Athletics beat Reporter

The (Columbus, Miss.) Commercial Dispatch is seeking a driven, self-motivated sports reporter to cover Mississippi State University athletics out of nearby Starkville. We’re looking for someone to own this beat through solid reporting and a dynamic social media presence.

We need someone who has a passion for sports – particularly Southeastern Conference sports – and is comfortable immersing him/herself in the MSU athletic community. MSU football has been reliably competitive for more than a decade, while men’s and women’s basketball are both taking great strides under new coaching leadership. We’re looking for someone who will find ways to capitalize on that success, elevating our product in the process. Valuing the print product is a must, but we also understand sports reporting is about establishing a relationship with your readers. Social media is a perfect way to do that, and we want you to embrace that.

The ideal candidate can provide engaging game coverage while also sniffing out more in-depth features. Time management, high productivity, good news judgment and unflagging persistence are essential attributes. We are looking for someone with at least two years of newspaper experience but recent college graduates will be considered.

The Dispatch is a family-owned media company. We print five days a week and are constantly pushing to the web. The area has a wealth of dining, entertainment and recreation options, including rivers, lakes, hiking trails and sports facilities.

If this position sounds like a good fit for you, e-mail cover letter, resume and writing samples to Peter Imes at pimes@cdispatch.com.