Sports journalist David Jablonski is a multimedia pioneer. For almost two decades, he has achieved the trifecta of journalism: writing, photography and video.
In the language of today’s multitasking market, Jablonski liked it hybrid skills.
“In 2015, I made my own device to attach my phone to the end of the camera lens so I could shoot video and photos at the same time,” says Jablonski.
Jablonski covers Cox newspaper games in Dayton, Springfield, and Hamilton, Ohio.
“Writing and reporting are our top priorities, but we also need photos—and especially video—with every story we put online,” he says. Earlier in my career, I sat in the press box during games.
Triple Filing
On March 21, the University of Dayton Flyers men’s basketball team played the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, North Carolina, in the second game of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT).
Jablonski’s day started at 3 in the morning and ended at midnight. He took an early morning flight from Columbus, Ohio, connecting Charlotte to Wilmington on the East Coast.
“Throughout the day, I shared my experiences on X and Instagram,” he recalls. “I like to accompany readers on these journeys.”
“When I’m at the stadium, I take photos of the stadium and check where the players are. If there’s pre-match news, I’ll write a story. I also write a half-time report and update it again after the game. After that, I write a long piece for the digital-only page, which appears in print two days later due to our production schedule.”
“I finished all my work – including the photo and video collection – at the hotel around midnight.”
Dayton Flyers won 80-61; Jablonski returned to Dayton to begin his triple filing streak (text/photos/video) for the NIT quarterfinals. The Flyers lost to Illinois State 61-55.
Building Multimedia Skills
Jablonski began as a sportswriter, graduating in 1999 from the EW Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.
He says: “At that time, there was no expectation that news reporters would take pictures or shoot video. “I have not received legal training in those areas; I learned on the job. Shooting 70 games for the Cincinnati Reds in the 2013 season was a profound experience, and I learned quickly.”
He started taking videos almost twenty years ago. In 2013, his newspaper employer gave him a DSLR camera.
“I’ve mostly learned by making mistakes,” says Jablonski.
With years of multimedia experience, balancing writing, photography and video is second nature.
“The videos and photos complement the text because they allow me to review the games and find details that I may have missed,” says Jablonski.
Cox Media Group Ohio’s freelance sports reporters often take game day photos.
“As for other high-profile songwriters, I don’t know many who do photography and videography,” says Jablonski.
The Dayton Flyers are in the 14th Atlantic 10 Conference; Jablonski covers every Flyers game.
His vote is counted
Jablonski is a Top-25 Associated Press pick in college football and basketball. He is a member of the US Baseball Writers Association of America and the US Basketball Writers Association.
His work has been honored by the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors for sports coverage. Jablonski is the author of “Epicenter of College Basketball: A History of the University of Dayton Arena.”
His partner, award-winning photojournalist Barbara J. Perenic, worked at Columbus Dispatch from 2013-2024. In late 2024, he joined the staff of Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
His title: Copywriting and Editing Specialist.
About the author: Ken Klein lives in Silver Spring, Maryland; retired after a career in politics, advocacy, and media including The Associated Press and Gannett Florida. Klein is an alumnus of Ohio University and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the Scripps College of Communication. Professionally, he has worked for the Fort Myers News-Press (Gannett), The Associated Press (Tallahassee), Senator Bob Graham, and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA).
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