In Apr. 2001, I was among 28 college journalists (print/photo/radio/TV) selected to attend the 10th Annual Collegiate Sports Journalism Seminar at @churchilldowns. We spent four days learning from the best in the business and it is an experience I carry with me today. (1/20)

I applied at some point in early 2001 and I don't remember the entire process, but when I got the acceptance letter from @JAKLoignon, I was thrilled. I drove off to Louisville with an empty notebook and an old camcorder, ready to document everything. (2/20)

The keynote speaker was the great Bill Nack of @SInow. That guy did things to the English language that I could only dream of. While Nack was a giant in the industry, the two speakers I was anxious for were @DanWetzel and @ArmenKeteyian. (3/20)

Wetzel's book "Sole Influence" (which was recently featured in the HBO documentary "The Scheme") was and is one of my favorite books. I was thrilled to meet him and become a sponge. The same for Keteyian's reporting on Real Sports and plenty of other outlets. (4/20)

The seminar was perfect. We got to rub elbows with media professionals and we were tasked to write a story about the Derby. Rick Pitino (AP Valentine) and Bobby Hurley (Songandaprayer) each had a horse in the 2001 Derby and that was my angle. (5/20)

I interviewed trainers Nick Zito and John Dowd. Zito had won the Derby multiple times and Dowd was a first-time Derby trainer. They both treated me like a #realjournalist. I was walking Churchill Downs and I felt like I belonged. (6/20)

As cool as it was to spend time with the professionals, getting to know my counterparts was amazing. Students from the big schools like Syracuse, Ohio, Missouri and North Carolina. Even kids from Indiana and Purdue. There were photographers from San Jose State and Arizona. (7/20)

We were mostly juniors in college, freshly 21, and on our own away from home and college. We were taught how to gamble a little (I was a big winner!) and we had four great days together. (8/20)

I wish I could say I stayed in contact with everyone. @PaulT44 and I did become colleagues at @nwi and he later became my editor. He's a friend to this day. @iguerin
and I have bumped into each other now and then. For the most part, our connection stopped as we drove home (9/20)

Earlier this week I found my conference binder that had my notebook and a list of all the participants. A true treasure to find after 19 years. I decided to look up where everyone was at. It was a challenge, but I found some great stuff. (10/20)

There were some excellent photographers who are still out there taking pictures. People like @JKasePhoto and @kohjirokinno1. @Jacquelyn_M is a staff photojournalist for the Associated Press. Laura Segall does wedding photography in Scottsdale. (11/20)

Jenna (Kieley) Teeson works in artist representation and is doing some great work for freelancers impacted by COVID-19 at http://Teesonreps.com  (12/20)

Some people aren't active on Twitter, but have been doing excellent work. John Baracani has worked with ExecuPharm, Steven Dearinger with Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Erin Hils has her own company with Harmony Farm Candles (13/20)

There have also been people spread out all over. @DougPrattMEA is the Director of Public Affairs for Michigan Education Association and Dan Satter has just been named the @BigSkyDeputy Commissioner. @iguerin will show you a good time in Myrtle Beach (14/20)

Larry Seward ( @LSewardWCPO) has had a great career in television and he recently moved back home to Cincinnati. Ben Baldwin ( @HuskerPGA) has turned his love of golf into a career. Carly Lindsay became an assignment editor for the NFL Network (15/20)

Finally, my print folks. From the moment I met @willkimmey, I knew this guy would be a star. He had already landed an internship/job with @BaseballAmerica and he worked there for several years. I still think of him when UNC comes on TV. (16/20)

Chicago fans should definitely know the work of @ByScottPowers. He does great stuff with @TheAthleticCHI and thrives despite having to put up with @MarkLazerus. (17/20)

If you like baseball cards, then @MikeOz is your guy. He's got a great backstory for how he got into journalism and I'm a big fan. (18/20)

Finally, if you like fantasy sports and @SiriusXMFantasy, then you know the work of Kyle Elfrink. I've been listening to him for years and never realized we attended the same conference. Kyle, I need fantasy advice! (19/20)

It was four days in my life. The lessons I've learned have shaped my journalism career, and based on the work of the aforementioned, it did for them as well. Thanks @ChurchillDowns. Thanks @JAKLoignon. Screw you Monarchos. That cost me money. (20/20)