After reading and watching the "Dear Nate" special on #ESPN, it made me realize how important the story topic has to be when writing a feature story. The layout and angle this story Tom Friend took was good, but the actual context made the story. Its a sad story, but with a "feel good" feeling to it. Nate was a kid with courage who was able to walk on to the Oklahoma State basketball team, a program that was on the rise with a hall of fame coach in Eddy Sutton. The feel good part is that Nate played with no fear. He didn't get in many games, but when he did, he left it all out on the court, and the fans as well as his teammates grew to love him because of what he brought to the program.
The reporting Friend had to do was personal, talking to both Nate's parents and his uncle who was the one who switched spots with Nate on the flight. He made it a profile story, even though there were 9 others from Oklahoma State that died in the crash. He found a compelling and touching story that signal in on while also talking about the crash as a whole and its effects on the community. What impressed me most was how he incorporated the Dear Nate letters into the story. The connection Nate had with his dad was amazing and the letters topped it off to fully show the audience how close they were.
Both the written story and video touched me, but the video left out the letters. When reading the story with the letters in it, it just made me like the written article that much more.
#jrm322
-Jonathan Sinkiewicz
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