KU News Release

KU journalism students hit home runs with internships

LAWRENCE — Major League Baseball has recruited three journalism students at the University of Kansas to work alongside professional reporters for its Web site, MLB.com, this season.

As interns, the students will work from opening day through September and, if their team is involved, into the World Series. They will cover home and visiting teams, fill in for full-time reporters and learn about professional sports journalism.

The students are Rustin Dodd, a senior from Overland Park; Robert “B.J.” Rains, a senior from St. Louis, Mo.; and Jesse Temple, a graduate student from Iowa City, Iowa. Dodd will report for the Kansas City Royals, Rains for the St. Louis Cardinals and Temple for the Chicago White Sox.

Since the internship program began three years ago, students in KU’s William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications have won 10 of a possible 90 Major League Baseball internship positions.

Max Utsler, professor of journalism, teaches sports writing and said recruiters chose KU students because they recognize the excellent training students receive here.

“They have consistently picked our best students,” he said, adding that the internships are very competitive.

KU students who won MLB.com internships are listed below by hometown, year in school, major, parents’ names and previous schools attended.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66212
Rustin Dodd, senior in news and information, son of Frank and Mary Dodd; Shawnee Mission South High School.

IOWA
From Iowa City 52246
Jesse Temple, master’s degree student in journalism, son of Scott and Rachel Temple; Knox College, Galesburg, Ill.; Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Overland Park.

MISSOURI
From St. Louis 63123
Robert “B.J.” Rains, senior in news and information, son of Rob and Salley Rains; Lindbergh High School.

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