I mentioned in my last post how much I enjoy writing diagnosis stories. This was another article in that vein. A relatively large school forfeited its varsity football season. I was fascinated to find out what led to that (basically unprecedented) decision and how the program planned to improve going forward.

Livingston searches for solutions after forfeited football season

I’m always attracted to a story where I can diagnose a situation. Why did this happen? and where do the people involved go from here? are simple questions from a story structure standpoint, but the circumstances surrounding those questions are always complex. That was the case with this article about a triathlon that ended after 40 years.

Farewell at 40: ‘No future’ for beloved Peaks to Prairie Adventure Race

This was and still is one of the oddest stories I’ve reported.

PBR will return to Billings in 2020 despite CEO’s threat

In many ways, this is more of a news article than a sports one. It explores a controversial policy from Montana’s activities association, and… well, the headline summarizes it, and you should read the story regardless!

MHSA amends policy, will allow tribal flags to be presented at basketball tournaments

This is probably my favorite story I’ve worked on at the Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com because it’s my favorite type of story: a feature that’s nominally about one thing but dives into much deeper territory.

This feature focuses on a Native American basketball team that lost its head coach months earlier in a boating accident. I wrote about the coach in the eyes of current players and coaches, and I tied in this death with other recent tragedies in the community of Lame Deer, Montana.

Amid tragedies, Lame Deer boys found bright light in memory of late coach