Brian Betz
Brian Betz never thought his interest in journalism, sports, and finance would take him to the Hollywood Park horse track in Inglewood, California. But that's where he was in May, 2003, interviewing jockeys, trainers, and racing executives on a tight deadline.
Betz, who is earning a double degree in Communication and Finance, was selected by the Los Angeles Times to participate in the Jim Murray Sports Journalism Workshop. Along with more than two-dozen top college journalists from around the country, he attended a series of seminars and brainstorming sessions before he got to work on a story.
"From a financial standpoint, the horseracing industry has suffered severely over the past 30 years," explains Betz, who grew up in Everett, Washington. "I wanted to find out why that was happening."
Despite a heavy academic load, Betz has honed his journalism skills at The Santa Clara student newspaper. He began his freshman year as an unpaid volunteer and now oversees the newsroom as the managing editor. Along the way, he's covered a variety of sports, authored a weekly column, and had his stories published on ESPN.com.
Betz has completed several courses in the Communication Department's journalism sequence, and taken advantage of a mentoring program with the San Jose Mercury News that connects students with professional journalists. It's all training that prepares students for the real world.
"The journalism courses are intense you have to be ready to work," Betz says. "The professors aren't afraid to tell you how to improve. I like that. It keeps you motivated."
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