Scott Ostler: The Sportswriting Life

Reflect on 50 years of the biggest personalities, rivalries, triumphs & transformations in California sports with the legendary sportswriter
About this Event

Join KALW for an evening celebrating the career of Bay Area sportswriting legend Scott Ostler, following his remarkable 34-year run at the San Francisco Chronicle.

Come spend an evening with one of California’s great sportswriters, live and in person at KALW, and hear the stories behind more than five decades of covering the games, personalities and moments that define California sports.

Scott Ostler has been in the sportswriting biz for over 50 years. He recently left the San Francisco Chronicle after 34 years. Before the Chronicle, Ostler wrote for The National Sports Daily for a year as a featured columninst, and before that he was at the Los Angeles Times for 12 years, as a columnist, feature writer and beat reporter for the Dodgers, Angels and Lakers.

Scott has been voted California Sportswriter of the Year 15 times. While with the Chronicle, he also spent two years writing a cityside column. He grew up near Los Angeles, attended Pepperdine College for two years, and graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in journalism. He has written five books, most recently a young adult novel, “Bouncing Back,” which has remained in print for six years. One of Scott’s columns from the L.A. Times was chosen by George Plimton for inclusion in “The Norton Book of Sports” anthology, alongside such authors as Mark Twain, Woody Allen and Sir Edmund Hillary.

Ben Trefny has been part of the KALW family since 2003, where he currently serves as Executive Producer. As Executive News Editor, News Director, and Interim Executive Director, he helped the news department win numerous regional and national awards for long- and short-form journalism. He also helped create numerous training programs — for teenagers, incarcerated people, and early-career journalists — and has taught hundreds of audio producers. His current work focuses on journalism, live events, and partnerships.

There is a $10 - $20 sliding scale suggested donation for this event. Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds. Thank you for supporting engaged, informed community events, made by the Bay, for the Bay.

Become a KALW member today and receive your first drink on us at all 220 Montgomery events.

220 Montgomery St., San Francisco, 2 blocks from BART/MUNI
Doors open at 6:30
Program begins at 7:30
Refreshments for donation (and KALW members get their first one on the house)
The event is free with an RSVP — and you are welcome to donate what you want

Please note:

• The event space is just to the left of the main entrance to the Mills Building at 220 Montgomery Street
• We recommend taking BART/MUNI, exiting at Montgomery, and walking two blocks north
• Ride-shares can drop off and pick up directly in front of the venue
• If you drive, there are several garages within two blocks of the event location

Agenda

🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Doors
🕑: 07:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Scott Ostler: The Sportswriting Life