Prepare to Join the Rookie Class

Welcome to The Rookie Class — Backfield Media’s flagship internship program for emerging writers and future sports media voices. Whether you’re here to build a writing portfolio or interested in eventually going on-camera, this program is built for growth — not perfection.
Here’s how to prepare (even if you’re just getting started).

💬 A Quick Message From Cami (CEO & Host of Backfield Media)
“I didn’t start with a background in sports media — I built it. I came in with curiosity, learned by doing, and stayed consistent. If you’re coming into this internship without years of experience or journalism classes, you’re not behind — you’re exactly who this program was made for.”
— Cami, Founder of Backfield Media

1. 🔍 Get to Know Backfield Media
Backfield Media is athlete-first. That means we care more about a player’s journey than just their stats. Before the program begins, explore how we highlight:

College and league football standouts
Underrated athletes and game-changers
Stories that center performance, not popularity

Tip: Look at past posts, reels, or articles to get a feel for the tone.

2. 🧾 Start a “Prep Portfolio” (No Experience Needed)
You don’t need bylines to get started. Try creating a few samples just to get warmed up:

Game Recap: Write a short breakdown of a recent college football game
Athlete Spotlight: Pick a standout player and write 2–3 paragraphs about what makes them special
Opinion Piece: Answer a question like “Who’s the most underrated player in college football right now?”
Save these in a folder — it’s just prep, not perfection.

3. 🧠 Learn the Basics of the Game
You’re not expected to be an expert, but you are expected to learn. Here’s where to start:

Common football positions and roles
How a typical NCAA and league football season works
Who the top teams and players are right now
YouTube breakdowns, TikTok explainers, and ESPN recaps can all help.

4. 🗣️ On-Camera? Not Yet — But Maybe
This internship is writing-focused — articles, features, recaps, and opinion pieces. But in the future, we plan to branch out into:

On-camera segments
Short-form commentary
Athlete interviews

If you’re interested in that path, start practicing now: talk through game summaries aloud, get comfortable recording yourself, and observe how media hosts present.

5. 🛠️ Set Yourself Up With the Right Tools
Here’s what you’ll need:

Google Docs for writing and edits
Google Calendar for staying on track
Zoom or Meet for virtual check-ins
(Optional) Canva for designing posts or visuals

Also helpful: a quiet space, stable internet, and the ability to communicate consistently.

6. 💬 Be Ready for Feedback
This is a learning environment. Everyone, including our founder, is still growing. Expect to:

Receive constructive edits
Learn how to strengthen your voice
Try new formats and storytelling angles

7. 🎯 Set a Goal or Two
What do you want to walk away with? It could be:

3–4 strong writing samples for your portfolio
A better understanding of how sports media works
More confidence as a writer or on-camera storyteller
Write it down — we’ll help you work toward it.

✅ Final Thoughts
You don’t need a sports journalism background to join The Rookie Class — just curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to learn.

At Backfield Media, we’re not just building content — we’re building storytellers.