Fairfax County Times Sports Desk writer Nick Eilerson began his journalism career his freshman year of high school.

“I had always been a good writer and an avid reader of the sports page, so I figured putting the two together in a classroom setting would be pretty fun,” Eilerson said.

After graduating high school Eilerson helped manage and write for the University of Virginia’s sports ‘The Cavalier Daily’ his sophomore year of college.

“I started off that year writing a weekly humor column for the paper’s Life Section before coupling that with duties as the sports section’s fringe sports (track/field, golf, rowing, etc.) beat reporter during second semester,” Eilerson said. “From there I eventually became the sports section’s senior associate editor and football/men’s basketball beat reporter.”

Eilerson highlights the importance of equal attention in sports in every level of newspaper.

“It can be tricky,” Eilerson said. “I think it as an important point of emphasis, particularly from the perspective of a high school newspaper.”

Major news outlets have to favor big-time sports simply because that’s the best way for them to maximize readership and revenue. Smaller publications, however, tend to spread the wealth around because of the potential reader bases are inclined to express interest in a wider range of sports.

“Sure, I have a lot of readers that crave football coverage, but the egalitarian nature of high school sports shows that I also have plenty of readers interested in field hockey, volleyball, track, etc.,” Eilerson said. “Football and basketball make the most noise, but I think you’d be surprised at how many people would be interested in reading about those less heralded sports.”

Eilerson practices giving the big sports their due, but also makes it a point to shine equal light on the others.

“You’ll give your section more balance and open yourself up to new reader bases,” Eilerson adds.

Later Eilerson wrote for The Washington Times sports section as an intern.

“Some of my favorite memories come from the Redskins games I covered for them,” Eilerson said. “The Times sends about four reporters to each Skins home game, and I had the privilege of being part of that team a number of times.”

As an avid Cowboys fan, Eilerson stated his favorite outing was the Dallas game he helped cover.

“I made my way into the Dallas locker room after the game under the guise of being a completely impartial reporter and did my best to conceal my allegiances as I did interviews with Jason Witten, Tony Romo, and company,” Eilerson said. “I still haven’t erased those from my recorder.”

Eilerson recalled his second most memorable when he covered the Duke vs. Virginia basketball game at Cameron Indoor, his last year at UVA.

“I was sick with a stomach virus the whole game, but sitting courtside with the Cameron Crazies spitting over your shoulder is something you’ll never forget,” Eilerson said.

As a sports writer Eilerson recommends reading quality sports writing constantly.

“I pay attention to a lot of sports writers like Tom Boswell, Mike Wise, David Hirshey, Lee Jenkins, Rick Reilly, John Feinstein, Nathan Fenno, Pat Forde, etc. in addition to hard news reporters and fiction writers,” Eilerson said. “I just make it a point to read as much quality writing as I can so that my own writing maintains a broad perspective. The same goes for the reporting side of it, which I also love. Pay attention to how the pros around you do it and you’ll learn a lot.”

The idea of taking risks has shaped Eilerson’s career as a journalist.

“A good journalist follows the status quo while a great journalist takes risks,” Eilerson said. “Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions or pursue a story others won’t touch. It pays to be original.”

Go to www.FairfaxTimes.com to read Eilersons stories.