Kratch, who has more than 14 years of experience, has written for major news outlets including NJ.com and The Star-Ledger. He has also covered sports for ESNY.com and reported on teams, such as Rutgers and the New York Giants.  

During his visit, Kratch emphasized the importance of not just reporting facts, but also helping readers understand a news story and putting it into perspective for them. “You have to be able to tell people why something happened,” he said. “Approach it as a story. Ask questions.” 

Kratch’s interest in journalism began in high school, where he wrote for the publication at West Morris Central. He later attended the University of South Carolina, continuing to build his experience covering sports.

One of the highlights of his journalism career came in 2010, when he covered South Carolina’s upset victory over then-national champion, Alabama. “I remember standing on the field,” Kratch said. “I felt like I was at the center of the college football universe.” 

He also stressed the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity, noting key principles such as avoiding bias, plagiarism and libel. “Your name is on it, so you want to be right,” he said.

Kratch discussed the challenges and opportunities of covering both successful and struggling teams. “It’s always better to write for a winning team,” he said. “But there can be a lot of good stories on a losing team, too.” 

Much of his professional career has involved covering Rutgers and the New York Giants during difficult seasons, though he cited the Giants’ 2016 playoff run as being a particularly memorable experience.

Kratch also shared his experience covering Super Bowl LI, highlighted by the New England Patriots’ dramatic 28-3 comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons. He described the experience as surreal, noting the extensive security measures and the rarity of the opportunity.