Tell Us What You Think: Who Will Win Super Bowl XLVII?

Read today's top story and answer the following question:

Who do you think will win Super Bowl XLVII? Why?

Let us know in the comments section below!

Photo: An official game ball for the NFL football Super Bowl XLVII. The San Francisco 49ers will play the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl on February 3 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)   

Standing Tall with Amar'e Stoudemire

The instant I stepped inside Barnes & Noble at 54th street in New York City for NBA superstar  Amar’e Stoudemire’s signing of his newly-released children’s book, Home Court, I could tell by the excited children – and even adults – that were beginning to line up, that this would be a special day!  I would be interviewing Stoudemire about Home Court, which is the first book in his STAT (Standing Tall and Talented) series, an autobiographical set of books about his childhood.

My dad and I were led into a small conference room. It was only around 10:45 a.m., and it would still be awhile before Stoudemire’s arrival. Two people from a New York Knicks website were already waiting, and over the next 20 minutes more and more reporters and media personalities gathered, many of whom I knew from their journalism work on TV or the Internet. I was able to meet Tina Cervasio, a two-time Emmy award winner for her fantastic work on New York Knicks and New York Redbulls broadcasts for MSG Networks. It was also a pleasure to also meet Jared Zwerling, whose articles on the Knicks and NBA I read almost daily on ESPN.com.

As I was reviewing my interview questions, Amar’e Stoudemire, standing 6’11” tall, walked quietly through the door! Nearly all the reporters sitting down got to their feet in a hurry and cameramen and women quickly set up their equipment. The Barnes & Noble representative that had escorted me to the room earlier announced to all of us: “Amar’e will be on this side back wall taking your open questions.”

As if they were all tied together by a long string, the entire pack of reporters, writers, and camerapeople moved at once towards the area of the room where Stoudemire stood. I immediately picked up my tape recorder, gave my personal camera to my dad so he could film the “press conference,” and hustled over to join the pack of reporters that had formed a crowd around Amar’e.

Cervasio started the interview with three questions about Home Court. After several more book-related questions, the interview shifted to the subject of basketball. I was able to squeeze through the throng of bodies so I could stand– crouch at times – at the side of Amar’e. It was extremely tough for me to try and interject my questions, as all the other reporters were assertively asking theirs! Eventually, I managed to ask Stoudemire a few of my questions about his thoughts on training camp and how the Knicks can improve through the training.

When the Q&A session was over, I went back to my seat excitedly. Now was the moment I was waiting for -- my one-on-one interview with Amar’e Stoudemire!

Amar’e made his way to the table where I was seated and sat down across from me. As the camera crew set up their equipment, I told Amar’e my name, and my small hand shook his huge hand to begin the interview.  Admittedly, I was a bit nervous as I asked him my first question. There were a great deal of cameramen with video recorders and microphones, but mainly there were a lot of reporters watching me. And, of course, I was interviewing a NBA superstar. How could I not be nervous? However, after the first question, I think I calmed down. I was able to go through all twelve of my questions perfectly, all of which were kindly answered by Amar’e.

After about 15 minutes of talking with Amar’e, the interview came to a close. I was extremely excited as I shook hands with him, and then he signed my personal copy of Home Court! Seemingly all of the other reporters came up to me and said “nice job,” or “you’ll be taking my job soon” as I said my final regards to Amar’e.

I had a fantastic time in New York City meeting professional reporters and talking with Amar’e Stoudemire. I truly enjoyed every single second of the experience. Hopefully, I can do it again when Double Team, the second book in the STAT series, is released in October!

You can watch my interview with Amar’e on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Amiri Tulloch

Photo: Kid Reporter Amiri Tulloch with Amar’e Stoudemire after their interview in New York City. (Dante A. Ciampaglia/Scholastic)

Tell Us What You Think: Legends Rule at Wimbledon

Read today's top story and answer the following question in the comments section below:

What sports do you like to play? What sports do you like to watch? Why?

Photo: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after winning the men's singles final against Andy Murray of Britain at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Super Bowl XLVI: Transmissions from Radio Row

Aside from the press conferences I attended on Thursday, I also got to experience Radio Row. Radio Row is the central hub for radio stations and television networks to broadcast from one area during Super Bowl week. It is really dazzling to see! This was the first year that the NFL (National Football League) opened portions of Radio Row to the public. 

There were many important people wandering around Radio Row. I got to interview Don Crisman, a huge Patriot fan that has been to every Super Bowl since the beginning (even before it was called the Super Bowl). Don is also part of the “Never Miss a Super Bowl Club” as seen in the Visa commercials that aired last year.

He explained the difficulties of finding tickets over the years and even his favorite moments.

“Well, actually the first 15 years was kind of easy,” Crisman said. “Then it became difficult and we got scalped a few times and paid double and triple the face [value]. Then they wrote a story in the Super Bowl XXXIII program about guys who had never missed [a Super Bowl] and since then the NFL provides seats we can buy and we can sit together.”

I also had an interview with Super Bowl champion and former head coach of the Baltimore Ravens Brian Billick. We talked about how opinions change from when you are a coach to being part of the media. He also talked about his favorite Super Bowl memory.

“I was really lucky in our Super Bowl [XXXV],” Billick said. “We kind of had control of the game in the fourth quarter, against the New York Giants, so it kind of nice to know the game was sewed up. You could kind of sit back and take it all in. Because we had the game in hand early, it was kind of fun.”

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photo: Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra with Don Crisman at Radio Row. (Photo courtesy Grace Ybarra) 

Super Bowl XLVI: Milk and Madonna!

On Thursday, I attended a press conference for the “Got Milk?” campaign. There, former Super Bowl champion and retired NFL quarterback Kurt Warner was the host. Warner unveiled the new advertisement for “Got Milk?” during the press conference. The ad was a poster of Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker and Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks each pouring a jug of milk into a bowl of cereal wearing the classic “milkstache.” 

Kurt Warner is the father of seven children, so he finds it extremely important that kids drink milk. At the grocery store, Kurt was given the nickname “Milk Man” because he buys around 9 jugs of milk for his family each week. He talked about his involvement with the “Got Milk?” campaign over the years.

“I’d seen all the pictures. Been through a bunch of magazines where all the individuals had their milk mustaches and thought that would be so cool to be part of that,” Warner said. “I got involved way back in 1999 in my first Super Bowl. And then I was fortunate when I went to the Super Bowl just a few years ago, they asked me to be part of it again. So I’ve been involved a couple of times and enjoyed the process.”

Later in the day, I attended a press conference for Madonna. Madonna will be performing at the Super Bowl for the Bridgestone Halftime Performance. She answered questions in front of hundreds of media members eager to hear what the pop star had to say. I was one of the fortunate 18 reporters that had the opportunity to ask Madonna not just one, but TWO questions. 

“What is the craziest thing that you have seen in Indianapolis?” I asked.

The Material Girl, after a thoughtful pause, replied with, “Me!”

After a few chuckles, she gave me another chance at asking her a different question because she felt her answer wasn’t sufficient. On my second question I asked her what she planned on doing in Indy. Madonna said that her kids really looked forward to going to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, which she had heard was great!

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photo: (left) Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra with Super Bowl champion quarterback Kurt Warner and (right) Madonna at her Super Bowl XLVI press conference. (Photos courtesty Grace Ybarra)

Super Bowl XLVI: The Media Day media circus

Covering Super Bowl Media Day is an intense experience! Players and coaches from both Super Bowl teams are there, waiting to be interviewed. The field is full of reporters and other members of the media. There are people watching from the stands. And then there are some really crazy people!

I got the full Media Day experience yesterday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This is where the New England Patriots and New York Giants will meet for Super Bowl XLVI (46) on Sunday. But first they met the media — including this Kid Reporter.

Besides interviewing members of the Patriots and Giants, I talked to other NFL players who were there as part of the media. Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars was working for Chad Ochocinco's Network (OCNN.) Brett Keisel of the Pittsburgh Steelers was working with Head and Shoulders Shampoo for the day. Pierre Garcon of the Indianapolis Colts was working for a local news station.

Along with these players-turned-journalists were many spectacular reporters. Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was in attendance working for NFL Network. Peter King, renowned writer for Sports Illustrated and reporter on NBC Football Night in America, was also at Media Day. They both had tips for up-and-coming reporters. 

"If you want to be successful read books. I got to where I am by reading," said Peter King.

"Say what you feel and feel what you say," Sanders added. "Always think about where you are going (with your questions), but always listen. Because it may take you somewhere totally different in your next question."

Lindsay Soto of NFL Network also gave some advise on becoming a reporter.

"Write a lot. Pay attention in English classes," Soto said. "There is a lot more writing in this business than you think going in. Read everything you can."

This was all great, but I experienced the less serious side of Media Day, too! The crazy side of Media Day consists of people in absurd clothing and colorful personalities asking silly questions. Los Angeles radio personality Vic "The Brick" Jacobs was promoting "the Year of the Dragon" with his festive Chinese clothing and a yellow dragon hanging around his neck. "Pickboy" from Nickelodeon was also at Media Day enjoying himself and with talking with the NFL players and other media. There were other "reporters" that asked players to wear funny hats or answer very odd questions.

The Super Bowl Media Day is a whirlwind event. There are so many different conversations, questions, stories, and personalities on hand, it is easy to see how Media Day has become so popular.

Check out my interviews with players and coaches from the Patriots and the Giants on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photos: (top) Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra interviews Vic "The Brick" Jacobs, (bottom) Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra talks with Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel. (Photos courtesy Grace Ybarra)

Super Bowl XLVI: Bill Belichick tries for fourth championship

This Sunday, the New England Patriots and New York Giants will meet in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Super Bowl XLVI (46). But last weekend the teams began arriving in Indianapolis to prepare for the game.

I had the opportunity to attend the Patriots press conference at their hotel after they landed in Indy on Sunday. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady were among the people who spoke to the media.

This is the fifth time Belichick and Brady have competed in the Super Bowl. They have won three championships and lost one. The one Super Bowl they lost? It was to the New York Giants. If the Patriots win Super Bowl XLVI, it will be Belichick's fourth championship as a head coach. This would tie him for the most all-time Super Bowl wins with former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll.

At the press conference, I asked Coach Belichick how it would feel to reach that record.

"It would make me feel pretty good. It's a great honor to be mentioned in the same conversation with Chuck," Belichick said. "Chuck was the coach of the [Pittsburgh] Steelers the first year I was coach of the [Cleveland] Browns. I got to know him my first few years in the league. I coached with several coaches who coached under him at Pittsburgh. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Chuck and the job he did with his team and the organization. So, it is very flattering to be mentioned in the same sentence with Chuck Noll, so thank you for doing that."

Between the personal records and the rematch between the Patriots and the Giants, Super Bowl XLVI will be an exciting one to watch. I'll be covering Super Bowl events all week as the teams and the city prepare for the big game. Stay tuned to this blog and the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website for my stories!

And check out video of me asking Coach Belichick my question at the Patriots press conference!

—Kid Reporter Grace Ybarra

Photo: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answers questions at a press conference after arriving in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI. (Photo courtesy Grace Ybarra)

Diamondbacks go from worst to first

At the end of the last Major League Baseball season, the Arizona Diamondbacks had won only 65 games and finished in last place in its division. But in 2011, the Diamondbacks made a remarkable turnaround to finish in first place in the National League West division.

The Diamondbacks’ final record this season was 94 wins and 68 losses — a 29-win turnaround from 2010! The team also found itself in the playoffs, where they have been facing the Milawuakee Brewers, the team that won the National League Central division.

Game 3 of the Diamondbacks’ first-round series against the Brewers is tonight, and Arizona down 0 game to 2. If the Diamondbacks lose tonight, its season is over. But the team is playing at home, which it hopes gives the players an advantage. If Arizona wins, Game 4 will also be played in Phoenix. And if the D’backs win Game 4, the final game of the series will be played in Milwuakee. The winner will then take on the winner of the Philadelphia Phillies - St. Louis Cardinals series in the National League Championship Series.

But however things turn out, this has been a great season for the Arizona Diamondbacks!

 

A baseball fanatic’s first Hall of Fame induction weekend

"Practice, practice, practice, practice, and more practice! Don’t ever quit!” former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Bill Mazeroski chuckled as he told me what it took for him to be a Hall of Fame baseball player. Already a diehard baseball fan, my experience as a member of the media during the Hall of Fame weekend helped me appreciate our national pastime even more.

The day before the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, many Hall of Famers played golf at the Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown, New York.

At the golf course, I met and talked with several of these baseball legends, including Holland-born Bert Blyleven, who, after 14 years of being eligible, was finally being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“Being born in Holland and just learning the game at nine, you never imagine this. I feel very fortunate,” he told me.

Soon after, Sandy Alomar, the father of new inductee Roberto Alomar, gave the reason for his son’s successes: “Whatever achievement that Roberto got is because of his hard work and the respect and discipline that he had for the game.”

Next, I met Jeff Idelson, the president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. To a baseball fanatic like me, that’s the greatest job in the world!

I grew more impressed as Jeff described his “dream job” to me.

“I do a lot of fundraising for the museum, I build partnerships with companies and individuals, I spend a lot of time visiting our Hall of Famers, and I stage a lot of special events both here and around the United States,” he shared.

Jeff also suggested a way for Major League Baseball (MLB) to attract more young fans.

“What MLB can do is to have a much stronger presence in social media,” he said. “I’d like to see players more accessible on Facebook and Twitter, and I think that MLB can encourage contacts through social networking.”

The next day, my dad and I were two of the 17,500 people in attendance for the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. But before we took our seats, I stumbled upon the greatest baseball fan alive: the affable Homer Osterhoudt.

Now in his 90s, Homer has attended EVERY induction ceremony since the inaugural celebration in 1939, only missing the four years in which he proudly served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

Homer, a longtime resident of Cooperstown, is happy with his town’s evolution over the years.

“Being from a small town and meeting all those dignitaries, I mean wow! In ’39, it was quite a thing for a small town like this one to get so many people,” Homer told me.

During the ceremony, I was awed by the overwhelming number of Alomar’s Puerto Rican and Canadian followers and by the joyous, baseball-crazy atmosphere.

While this was my first Hall of Fame experience, I hope to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Homer Osterhoudt and not make it my last!

—Kid Reporter Kevin Agostinelli

Photo: Kid Reporter Kevin Agostinelli interviews baseball superfan Homer Osterhoudt at the 2011 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Credit: Courtesy Kevin Agostinelli)

NBA 101: A crash course in basketball from my brother

When my Scholastic editor asked me to write a piece on the NBA championship series, I immediately panicked. Granted, I played in a basketball recreational league or two when I was little, but I knew next to nothing about how the real thing worked, much less the national championship!

That’s when I remembered I have a brother, Nick, 12, who just so happens to watch SportsCenter and multiple other sports shows on a daily basis. Even though it took a little convincing (and bribing!), this reporter managed to get him to impart some valuable wisdom on the world of basketball as it pertains to this story.

Nick first informed me that this year, the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks are the two teams duking it out in the NBA Finals. Whichever team wins 4 games first will come away with the title.
My brother said that both teams feature superstars that carry a lot of their team’s weight. For the Heat, it’s the trio of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade, the core of a dream team assembled when the three were signed in the offseason as free agents. I’d already heard a lot about these three from my brother throughout the year.

Next, I learned about the Mavericks’ top contributor, Dirk Nowitski. Nick told me that the 7-foot forward, who hails from Germany, has played with the Mavericks for his entire 12-season career. And the two teams are already fierce rivals; they previously faced off in the 2006 NBA Finals, where the Heat prevailed in six games (although, as Nick was quick to note, Bosh and James weren’t on the team at that point).

He also told me that the Heat and Mavericks each have some strengths and weaknesses to watch for. While the Heat is a good all-around team, they often struggle to keep the Mavericks’ top scorer Nowitski in check. And even though the Mavericks lack other strong shooters besides Nowitski, when things are going right for them, their offense can be a real force to be reckoned with.

So all in all, I definitely learned a lot about basketball from my little brother. I guess putting up with his (slightly annoying) SportsCenter habit has finally paid off for me! And after all, maybe next time he starts bombarding me with NBA news and statistics, I’ll listen to him. Because as I just discovered, basketball can be interesting.

Check out my NBA Finals recap and tell me how you think I did!

—Kid Reporter Meggie Zahneis