Davis Trax Columns and Game Stories

“The Changing Tides of Olympic Sports Coverage” - Helene Elliott, Nieman Reports (2023) https://niemanreports.org/the-changing-tides-of-olympic-sports-coverage-with-helene-elliott/ Veteran journalist Helene Elliott reflects on her 47-year career covering 18 Olympic Games and how technology, access, and storytelling have transformed sports media. My thoughts -  Helene Elliott’s reflection on decades of Olympic coverage feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. She writes with the calm authority of someone who’s seen every evolution in media firsthand. Her insight on adapting to new technology and athlete storytelling underscores how flexibility keeps journalism alive. Elliott’s voice is humble yet confident, valuing integrity over novelty. I admire how she treats change not as a threat but as an opportunity to grow. Her balance of wisdom and curiosity feels like mentorship through prose. Reading her work made me appreciate that a writer’s brand isn’t static - it evolves alongside t...

“Inside the Odd Olympic Journey of China’s Men’s Hockey Team” -  Greg Wyshynski, ESPN (Feb 2022) https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/33246445/winter-olympics-2022-odd-olympic-journey-china-men-hockey-team Greg Wyshynski chronicles how China assembled its men’s Olympic hockey roster through a mix of imported talent and national ambition, blending humor with cultural insight My thoughts -  Greg Wyshynski’s story blends investigative depth with comedic flair, exposing the strange reality of China’s Olympic hockey roster. What could have been dry political commentary becomes a narrative filled with irony, humanity, and absurd detail. His ability to write with humor while maintaining respect for his subjects is rare. He uses tone as a storytelling weapon - playful yet precise, witty but never dismissive. Reading him makes me realize how personality can strengthen credibility, not weaken it. Wyshynski’s confidence as a writer comes from honesty, not exaggeration. That’s the kin...

“Peter King Reflects on a Lifetime of Football Storytelling” - Peter King, NBC Sports (2024) https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/news/peter-king-reflects-on-a-lifetime-of-football-storytelling Peter King looks back on more than four decades covering the NFL, sharing lessons about storytelling, access, and the evolution of football journalism. My thoughts -  Peter King’s reflection on his career is a masterclass in humility and perspective. His conversational tone makes the piece feel like an old friend sharing lessons from the locker room. King’s authenticity sets him apart - he doesn’t glorify himself, he honors the craft of storytelling and the people behind it. He reminds readers that longevity in sports media depends on empathy and curiosity as much as expertise. His anecdotes show how relationships with players shape meaningful journalism. I also notice how seamlessly he transitions between nostalgia and analysis, keeping readers engaged through voice alone. This piece taught me tha...

“How a Legendary Sportswriter Found a New Home Team” - Patrick J. Kiger, AARP (Aug 29, 2023) https://www.aarp.org/money/retirement/dave-kindred-interview/ After decades covering major sporting events, Dave Kindred returned to his hometown to cover a girls’ high-school basketball team, rediscovering purpose and community through local storytelling. My thoughts -  Dave Kindred’s shift from global stages to a small-town high school gym is a powerful reminder that great sports-writing doesn’t always demand superstar headlines - it demands humanity. His writing proves tone can change without losing depth, moving from elite competition to backyard community games with equal respect and curiosity. I admire how Kindred reconnects with his roots, showing a writer’s brand can evolve rather than ossify. He treats the Lady Potters’ story with the same seriousness he once reserved for Olympic champions, teaching me that consistency of voice matters more than magnitude of subject. The piece demo...

“Pro Golf’s Nice Guys Don’t Finish Last”  - John Hawkins, Sports Illustrated (2019) https://www.si.com/golf/news/feature-2019-02-26-pro-golfs-nice-guys-dont-finish-last? John Hawkins highlights PGA Tour players who succeed through integrity and consistency, proving that character can be as valuable as competitiveness. My thoughts -  John Hawkins’ feature on golf’s “nice guys” stands out for its calm pacing and understated tone. His writing mirrors the sport itself - measured, deliberate, and quietly confident. Rather than chase drama, Hawkins finds beauty in consistency and integrity. He shows that sports stories don’t need chaos to be compelling; sometimes character is enough. What I learn from him is how restraint can be powerful. His simple, balanced prose allows readers to reflect without distraction. Hawkins’ style reminds me that tone should serve the story’s rhythm, and that quiet moments often reveal the most truth.

“Like Jackie Robinson, Baseball Should Honor Curt Flood’s Sacrifice”  - William C. Rhoden, Andscape (Apr 15, 2019) https://andscape.com/features/like-jackie-robinson-baseball-should-honor-curt-flood-sacrifice/ Columnist William C. Rhoden argues that Curt Flood’s courageous challenge to baseball’s reserve clause deserves the same recognition given to Jackie Robinson for reshaping the game’s social and economic structures My thoughts - Rhoden’s article masterfully blends historical context and moral urgency - showing how a singular act of defiance helped transform America’s pastime. He writes with conviction and clarity, making a complex labor-justice argument accessible to all baseball fans. I’m struck by how he honors Flood without turning him into a caricature; the nuance and respect in his tone are instructive. For me, the brand of writing Rhoden displays is one of thoughtful advocacy - not flashy commentary. It reminds me that sportswriters can offer more than play-by-play; the...