Samuel Cozart - Samuel Cozart: Storytelling with Impact

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Third-year journalism student at San Diego State University.

Samuel Cozart

I am a third-year journalism student at San Diego State University. I am pursuing a career as a journalist, primarily within sports media. I currently write for The Daily Aztec, the school's student-run newspaper.

Compelling feature articles that bring human interest stories to life and engage readers.

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Timely and accurate reporting on breaking news events as they unfold in San Diego and beyond.

Breaking News Coverage

Insightful editorials providing thoughtful analysis and opinions on current affairs and social issues.

My brother writing on my grandads old typewriter

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The Daily Aztec

Padres Mission

<h3>‘It’s a different sense of pride’: Naomi Panganiban reflects on summer with the Philippines women’s national team</h3>

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Works by Samuel Cozart

The Daily AztecSports Writer<ul><li>Previously covered women's basketball, women's soccer, baseball and hockey.</li></ul>All-City NetworkFAST production intern<ul><li>Produced live television sports talk shows.</li><li>Fully production supported live NFL Draft shows.</li></ul>Padres Mission<ul><li>Covered the San Diego Padres in the 2025 MLB season.</li></ul>

Samuel Cozart's experience in journalism

Hi, I'm Samuel Cozart, a journalism student taking JMS 430 in Fall 2025. The course focuses on digital journalism and how journalism is tasked with adapting to the modern era. This blog will document the journey along the way, documenting our class discussions and research topics as we go.Especially in the age of AI and the uncertainty that comes with it, the topics in this class are essential in the modern journalism. The course will focus on a feature story that will be adapted into digital form and posted on this website. I'm looking forward to learning more about digital journalism and adapting my skills to a digital format.

Blog Post 1

<h3>San Diego: The sports city that once was and can&nbsp;be</h3>After losing multiple professional teams to Los Angeles, is America’s finest city still a sports town?From 1978 to 1984, San Diego boasted a vibrant professional sports scene, home to the Chargers (NFL), Clippers (NBA) and Padres (MLB). Now, out of the “Big Four” North American sports leagues, America’s eighth largest city is only home to the Padres.In 1984, the San Diego Clippers became the Los Angeles Clippers in the city’s first blow to its professional sporting scene. Decades later, in 2017, San Diego suffered the ultimate blow, with its beloved NFL franchise, the Chargers, following the same move north.Despite the dwindled-down number of professional teams, San Diegans still have an immense passion for sports today.The ghost of Chargers pastWhen the city of San Diego and the Chargers ownership failed to reach an agreement on a new stadium, the end was amidst for the team’s 56 season tenure in its hometown. The relocation was devastating for the city, leaving a void in Mission Valley, where Qualcomm Stadium once housed tens of thousands of screaming Charger fans.There were many blunders that resulted in the team’s move, but commitment from its fans in San Diego is not to blame. Jim Trotter, former journalist for The San Diego Union-Tribune, Sports Illustrated, ESPN and NFL Media, saw Chargers fans as passionate and supportive enough to sustain an NFL franchise.“The Chargers, when they were here, the fan base was so loyal and loved that team, and they deserved to have a team,” Trotter said.Despite the city rallying around its football team, the Chargers’ results on the field did not resemble the perfect sunshine above it. In 56 seasons in San Diego, they had a losing record of 416–427–11. On top of that, San Diegans were only able to celebrate one Super Bowl appearance in 1995, in which they lost to the San Francisco 49ers.Although the Chargers lacked on-field success, San Diego’s support for the Chargers was tried and true.“First of all, you have to put a product on the field that people want to see,” Trotter said. “They went eight straight years without a winning season, and the fans still showed up.”Despite immense and committed fan support, the Chargers did face attendance struggles near the end. Attendance hit rock bottom for them <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/attendance/_/year/2015">in 2015, when they finished last in league-wide attendance, according to ESPN.</a>Attendance issues aside, the Chargers’ time in San Diego was defined by the city’s love for its NFL team, despite decades of never reaching football’s peak.“The NFL did work here,” Trotter said. “The fact that ownership wanted a new stadium and the fact the city was saying, ‘Well you’ve gotta pay for it, or pay the lion’s share of it,’ that’s nothing to do with the fans.”Padres PassionIn the wake of the Chargers’ absence, the Padres were given a golden opportunity to step to the plate as San Diego’s only “Big Four” team. It is the only city in the country to only have an MLB team, making for a unique setting, where baseball is the epicenter of the city’s sports scene.“I think it’s a great sports city, it’s just a unique sports city,” said Jon Schaeffer, radio host for San Diego Sports 760.The popularity of the Padres in San Diego tells the story of one of the greatest connections between a city and its team. It is nearly impossible to go outside in San Diego without seeing fans donning a classic “SD” hat or advertisements featuring players in uniform. This decade, the Padres have quickly become one of the country’s most popular baseball clubs. In 2025, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/attendance">San Diego ranked second in MLB attendance</a> according to ESPN.Fans feel a connection to the Padres unlike any team seen before in San Diego.“The Padres have relatable, marketable stars,” Schaeffer said. “I think people resonate with Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, or Manny Machado or Joe Musgrove, who’s a San Diegan.”The stars have aligned for the Padres in San Diego. In a time where it easily could have lost its identity as a sports town, San Diegans have a team to put their faith in.“It’s been a little bit of a perfect storm, from a love affair with the city for the Padres,” Schaeffer said.The Aztec EmpireWith no NFL or NBA teams, collegiate sports are next up to represent San Diego on a national level. San Diego State University athletics have helped deliver the thrills to San Diegans that were once done by professional teams.The SDSU men’s basketball program has represented the city well on the hardwood. The Aztecs consistently rank among the country’s best, creating a thrilling atmosphere for both SDSU students and San Diego locals to take in some basketball.Making consistent trips to the NCAA Tournament, success defines the SDSU basketball program. Fans fill the seats each night in Viejas Arena, assuming they will witness yet another home-court victory for the Aztecs.“That’s one of the more popular college basketball teams, truthfully in the country, and absolutely in the West,” Schaeffer said. “There’s very few programs that draw like San Diego State basketball.”In 2023, SDSU reached the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, marking the zenith of a decades-long success story. This was the first time San Diegans got to witness a local team make its respective championship game since the Padres in 1998.“I think there’s something unique about the NCAA tournament that has the ability to capture attention of people that aren’t even basketball fans,” Schaeffer said. “Anytime you make a run and make your first Final Four, that’s captivating and entertaining.”Since then, fans still embrace the Aztecs as San Diego’s basketball team, creating one of the best fan environments in college basketball. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2025-10-02/top-10-student-sections-mens-college-basketball-ranked-andy-katz">SDSU’s student section, “The Show”, was named the 10th best student section in the country by the NCAA</a>.Combined success between the university’s football and basketball programs provides excitement to a city that is itching for a championship. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" href="https://www.sdsu.edu/news/2024/09/san-diego-state-university-to-join-the-pac-12-conference#:~:text=SDSU%20has%20also%20been%20a,the%20Paris%20Olympics%20this%20summer.">As of 2024, SDSU has the country’s highest combined winning percentage between NCAA football and basketball since 2010.</a>The football team is yet to find basketball’s high-level support, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" href="https://thedailyaztec.com/123757/sports/empty-seats-fading-cheers-sdsu-football-battles-snapdragon-attendance-crisis/#google_vignette">struggling to fill seats in the 2025 season.</a> However, an 8–2 start in 2025 provides hope that the Aztecs can pilot both the football and basketball culture of San Diego.“I think Snapdragon Stadium’s obviously a terrific facility for San Diego State football,” Schaeffer said. “And now that they’re winning in it, I think that’s going to be beneficial long term.”A new hopeIn 2025, San Diegans were given a new team to support. San Diego FC made its debut season, capturing the attention of the city.Miguel Barajas, president of Frontera SD, the official supporter group of SDFC, sees the club as a way to reinvigorate the city’s professional sports scene.“It’s an opportunity to reignite the passion that the fan bases have here in San Diego for any particular club,” Barajas said. “It already kind of filled the void of what was missing when the Chargers left.”Barajas feels that SDFC shines a light on San Diego’s prominent soccer scene.“I could say, without a shadow of a doubt, that culture has always been present in San Diego,” he said. “San Diego, you always see, is consistently ranked, like two or three, in the United States for viewership.”SDFC has taken the MLS by storm, fishing first place in the Western Conference in year one. The on-field success has contributed to widespread excitement surrounding the team, creating new supporters in the process. Instant success is a rare feeling for San Diegans, but a welcome one.“It’s going to be very hard to keep that momentum up, especially being such a young team,” Barajas said. “But I think the core of the fan base is always going to be there, and I think that’s the important thing.”Instant success and support for SDFC is a step in the right direction towards San Diego reestablishing itself as a sports town. Barajas is confident that it will translate to long-term investment in the city.“Just the way (SDFC’s) bought onto the community, the way they’ve already invested so much money into the local fabric of the communities, especially the under-privileged ones,” Barajas said. “That just shows that they’re definitely here for the long haul.”SDFC isn’t the only new kid on the block in San Diego. The additions of the NWSL’s San Diego Wave in 2022 and NBA G-League San Diego Clippers in 2024 show promise for a reignition of sports in San Diego.Sports townDespite a history of disappointment, San Diegans still have immense passion for their sports teams. It may not look like the traditional American sports town, but it is without a doubt that sports have a place in America’s finest city.“We love our teams,” Barajas said. “We love our sports. We know what we are. We’re not flashy.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1_aCf2Fbzq0tMDlbViPD-13N-Ghyggr4&amp;ll=32.95712616147165%2C-117.19450735000001&amp;z=10">https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1_aCf2Fbzq0tMDlbViPD-13N-Ghyggr4&amp;ll=32.95712616147165%2C-117.19450735000001&amp;z=10</a>This project was produced by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" href="https://sjcozart.com/">Samuel Cozart </a>as a published learning experience in JMS 430 Digital Journalism, part of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow noopener" class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" href="https://jms.sdsu.edu/">Journalism and Media Studies Program</a> at San Diego State University.Photo: Members of “The Show” take part in Aztec tradition, holding their fingers up during free throws on Nov. 18, 2025 vs. Troy. Photo by Samuel Cozart.

SynopsisAs journalism continues to evolve in the digital age, it is essential to learn how to navigate digital journalism. In JMS 430, I have learned ways to produce digital journalism through assignments and lab sections that incorporate graphic design, artificial intelligence, online-blogging, creating websites, and creating multimedia content.&nbsp;Developing the story project&nbsp;Throughout the course, I worked on a semester project that put all of the components covered in this class into one complete project. The project required me to write an article, create an infographic, take photos and create other multimedia aspects. All of those features came together in a project that culminates the material from this course relating to digital journalism.&nbsp;In creating this project, ethical and journalistic guidelines had to be taken into account in order to create an informative and truthful story. When creating a journalistic work, it is important to follow the SPJ Code of Ethics. Within the Code of Ethics are four principles: seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and be accountable and transparent. A time I had to consider one of these principles was in seeking the truth and reporting it. My story was about sports culture in San Diego and as it suggests, San Diegans have a deep love for their sports teams. However, one objective fact was that the Chargers were towards the bottom of NFL attendance in their final years in San Diego. In that sense, I felt it was necessary to report that as a fact, despite it not completely following the breath of the article and responses from interviewees. This particular instance shows how I used journalistic integrity in navigating challenges I faced while creating the story.&nbsp;Working on this project also provided tremendous opportunities for me. To be specific, it opened windows for me to interview sources that I would not have previously thought possible for an assignment in a class. Being able to interview expert sources like Jon Schaeffer from San Diego Sports 760 was not something I had previously imagined within my capabilities within my classwork.&nbsp;Digital Media ExperienceBefore taking JMS 430, I did not have much experience in digital media. Creating infographics and other multimedia elements was something that I did not have prior experience with in my journey in journalism. One component of my story was creating a map on Google Maps. This was something I had no prior experience in, so it was a good experience for me getting to develop an interactive component like that.Other digital aspects of this course consisted of gathering data, using spreadsheets and learning Google Analytics. These were all new experiences for me, which can now be used for my future work in journalism. Having the ability to use these components will make me a more versatile journalist and expand my range beyond just putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).&nbsp;ConclusionOverall, JMS 430 created unique and new experiences for me in journalism. Being able to work on such an ambitious project was the highlight of my semester. It really pushed me to put myself out there as a journalist and create content that I never would have imagined.&nbsp;

For inquiries, I can be reached via phone at (720) 917-5526 or email at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:scozart5883@sdsu.edu">scozart5883@sdsu.edu</a>.

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So far in JMS 430, our class has deepened our studies into different forms of media. We have interacted with various published media such as podcasts and blogs, which have given me a better understanding of how journalism can be incorporated into the digital world.Each lab features a class discussion, where I engage with my peers in discussions about our topics. These discussions have been helpful to me in gauging other journalists'' perspectives on the issues at hand. A particularly engaging discussion was one regarding journalistic ethics, where we had conversations about different scenarios and what would have followed ethical code in those instances.Another interesting factor of the class has been navigating AI. Today, we examined a series of AI generated images, which built my knowledge in how to identify if something is AI generated.Through this course thus far, I have built a stronger digital literacy, which I am able to apply as a journalist in the digital age.

Photographie faisant partie de la série de photographies "Letters" : Media

Blog Post 2 

Photo by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah mn" href="https://unsplash.com/@parttimepotraits?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">PartTime Portraits</a> on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah mn" href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a><h3>A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from layoffs during shutdown</h3>A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from laying off federal workers amidst the third week of the government shutdown. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah mn" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/judge-blocks-trumps-shutdown-layoffs-calling-illegal-rcna237837">U.S. District Judge Susan Yvonne Illston referred to the administration’s “contrary to laws”.</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUKLA1MMPfY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUKLA1MMPfY</a>The rule of lawJudge Illston granted a temporary restraining order blocking the lay offs, stating that it had “taken advantage of the lapse in government spending and government functioning to assume that all bets are off, the laws don’t apply to them anymore, and they can impose the structures that they like on the government situation that they don’t like.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah mn" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trumps-budget-director-says-layoffs-begun-government-shutdown-rcna236923">The administration had begun laying off more than 4,000 government workers</a>, which Judge Illston cited as “unlawful” and “politically motivated”.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/MeidasTouch/status/1978533697335755198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1978533697335755198%7Ctwgr%5Eaf2d7325c6c235733683be56d1b09f7e6b47ad81%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.embedly.com%2Fwidgets%2Fmedia.html%3Ftype%3Dtext2Fhtmlkey%3Da19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07schema%3Dtwitterurl%3Dhttps3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FMeidasTouch%2Fstatus%2F1978533697335755198image%3D">https://x.com/MeidasTouch/status/1978533697335755198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1978533697335755198%7Ctwgr%5Eaf2d7325c6c235733683be56d1b09f7e6b47ad81%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.embedly.com%2Fwidgets%2Fmedia.html%3Ftype%3Dtext2Fhtmlkey%3Da19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07schema%3Dtwitterurl%3Dhttps3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FMeidasTouch%2Fstatus%2F1978533697335755198image%3D</a>Lawsuits and outrage<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmBCyLDrBFA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmBCyLDrBFA</a>The planned lay offs were not well received by both union members and public citizens.Prior to the shutdown, two unions sued the Trump administration for its plans to lay off through “reductions in force” during the shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees both sued the administration for its planned lay offs.“<a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah mn" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/unions-file-suit-trumps-illegal-plan-fire-many-federal-workers-shutdow-rcna234795">These actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious, and the cynical use of federal employees as a pawn in Congressional deliberations should be declared unlawful and enjoined by this Court,</a>” the lawsuit stated.X user @mmpadellan reacted to the layoffs, saying, “He’s just punishing Americans.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/mmpadellan/status/1978162143745749295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1978162143745749295%7Ctwgr%5E22d09c071df61de01e7e459a61e541986bf92e21%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.embedly.com%2Fwidgets%2Fmedia.html%3Ftype%3Dtext2Fhtmlkey%3Da19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07schema%3Dtwitterurl%3Dhttps3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fmmpadellan%2Fstatus%2F1978162143745749295image%3D">https://x.com/mmpadellan/status/1978162143745749295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1978162143745749295%7Ctwgr%5E22d09c071df61de01e7e459a61e541986bf92e21%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.embedly.com%2Fwidgets%2Fmedia.html%3Ftype%3Dtext2Fhtmlkey%3Da19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07schema%3Dtwitterurl%3Dhttps3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fmmpadellan%2Fstatus%2F1978162143745749295image%3D</a>The administration’s reactionThe White House has yet to make a statement on Judge Illston’s ruling, but remains committed to downsizing the federal government.White House budget director Russell Vought made those plans clear on “The Charlie Kirk Show” earlier Wednesday, despite the ruling. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah mn" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/15/trump-administration-shutdown-layoffs/">On the show, Vought said that the government could lay off 10,000 employees during the shutdown.</a>The Trump administration has a history of challenging federal court rulings, so it would not come as surprise if it challenged Judge Illston’s decision.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/usatodayDC/status/1978566771318685921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1978566771318685921%7Ctwgr%5E486b6fdda333f4c83b4ef4e52209f3af485f6ecf%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.embedly.com%2Fwidgets%2Fmedia.html%3Ftype%3Dtext2Fhtmlkey%3Da19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07schema%3Dtwitterurl%3Dhttps3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FusatodayDC%2Fstatus%2F1978566771318685921image%3D">https://x.com/usatodayDC/status/1978566771318685921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1978566771318685921%7Ctwgr%5E486b6fdda333f4c83b4ef4e52209f3af485f6ecf%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.embedly.com%2Fwidgets%2Fmedia.html%3Ftype%3Dtext2Fhtmlkey%3Da19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07schema%3Dtwitterurl%3Dhttps3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FusatodayDC%2Fstatus%2F1978566771318685921image%3D</a>Judge Illston’s ruling against the Trump administration’s plans to lay off more than 4,000 employees during the government shutdown is not the first time federal courts have challenged Trump, and most likely won’t be the last.It will be interesting to see how tensions develop between Trump and the courts, and whether it will lead to Trump pressuring the courts into reversing the decision.Blog Post 4Creating this website has been a fresh experience for me. Like many of the other digital and multimedia components of this course, I had not yet done anything like this in journalism. I have had some prior experience building websites, but never as polished as what I have done with this one. Integrating this with posting on Medium created a good balance and look into what producing journalism can look like as I move forward into a career in journalism.&nbsp;In the digital age, it is a necessity to have pristine knowledge of digital journalism. With the looming prominence of artificial intelligence, what we covered in this class is helpful in adapting to what is looking to be a new age of media. Learning this now is a way to get ahead of the curve and be prepared for when these concepts come up in the workforce, rather than in class. I hope to carry these skills out throughout the rest of my time at SDSU and into my career as a journalist.

Samuel Cozart

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