From Field to Press Box: Turning Passion for Sport into a Career in Journalism

For most athletes, a large part of their lives is dedicated to the sport they fell in love with. However, for all athletes, there will come a day when they have to return their jerseys, hang up their cleats, and walk off the court or field one last time. A huge part of an athlete's identity is their sport, but just because the days of competing are over does not mean they have to or should retire their passion for the game. A great way to shift a love for sport into a career is through sports journalism. Whether it is writing, reporting, or broadcasting, this field entails a variety of roles that young journalists can be successful in doing. Centenary’s Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communications of six years, Patrick Meehan, shares his insights as to how to get a foot in the door when it comes to a career in sports journalism. 

Everyone has their own way of discovering sports journalism, whether it is through a mentor, coach, or tuning into a TV channel or radio show. When asked about how he came to realize his love for journalism, Meehan states, “In high school, I took a Sports Journalism class, wrote for the school paper, kept stats at basketball and football games, and was a student manager for the basketball team. Then in college (LSU), I was a student assistant in the Sports Information Office and realized a lot of what I had done in high school had helped me in college. I decided when I was at LSU that this was the career for me!” For him, his journey started early in his high school career, but that does not mean that students cannot pursue this later in life. There are many ways to get involved with sports journalism, and the most common way is to get involved in sports at your college/university. 

Like any career, sports journalism entails a variety of challenges. Meehan was very transparent about the obstacles that would be faced throughout this particular career and emphasized that “You have to work very hard and have a true passion for sports, and also find a way to separate and distinguish yourself to get noticed and respected.” Meehan goes on to explain how important it is to build personal relationships with athletes and coaches to find success in such a competitive field. 

To gain as much success as Meehan has over the years, it is vital to possess a true passion for sports journalism as well as the grit of an athlete. Meehan gives all future sports journalists this piece of advice: “Be fearless and be aggressive. Do not be afraid to chase your dreams. But, to do that means you have to work hard, be willing to make sacrifices, and be willing to work long hours and lots of nights and weekends!” Whether it is on the field or in the press box, sports journalism allows those with a love of sport to turn passion into a career.