Our Mention in Albany's Times Union

"ALBANY — They surely did look like two kids trying to sneak into the Albany Firebirds' locker room after Friday night's game. Times Union Center security quickly stopped the pair, garbed in team gear, and asked where they thought they were going.

The youths surprisingly pulled out legit press passes. Not entirely convinced, security asked for IDs. The teens produced them, too. They belonged. Finally, the two were let through to join the post-game gaggle of reporters.

The thing is, the two are in fact high school kids. They're also working press, even if they're not getting a dime for their efforts.

Welcome to the future of sports journalism. Actually, welcome to the present.

Ben Schwartz, 17 later this month, makes the four-hour round trip from Westchester so he can report for The Firebirds Nest, his site devoted to all things surrounding the af2 team. His cameraman Jeffrey Friedlander came along for the experience.

They want to be journalists, and what better training is there than covering a pro team? You just wonder what jobs will be there for them when they get out of college in five or so years....."

To read the rest of the article, go to TimesUnion.com or pick up today's issue of the paper.