Tag: Sports journalism

#ProfilesOfTenacity: DonA Traylor-Askew

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?

I chose to study journalism because I developed a love for storytelling while in grade school. I love talking to people and getting to know more about what makes them who they are. I also love sports and how they bring people together. The idea that I could combine the two and pursue a career in sports journalism seemed like a dream. I knew Grady had a great program and reputation for successful journalists. In addition, I knew the Sports Media Certificate program would help me to best position myself for a fulfilling career.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

Tenacity means pushing through whatever comes your way and never giving up. It means setting your mind on a goal and doing whatever it takes to reach it no matter what situations arise in life that could stand in your way. Simply put, it means unrivaled determination.

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

In my Fall 2021 sports broadcast class, I was the producer of our last show of the year. When I first learned I would have that task, I was so nervous. It was my job to get everyone—the anchor, analysts, feature reporter, and graphics producer, etc.—all on the same page. It was the first time I had ever produced a show, but I created a new structure for the show. My classmates and I came together and pulled it off with my new plans being implemented almost seamlessly. I was very proud of myself and although I had never considered pursuing a position as a producer, this experience changed me. Now I really feel like I could do this in a professional setting.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

The sports media program has had the biggest impact of my life during my time at UGA. I arrived here hoping to begin building a foundation for a career in sports media, but it was really just an idea. It has only been through the experiences in this program that I have truly started to realize that I can be successful in the field. Each class and the challenges I’ve faced in them have allowed me to learn new skills that will not only be applicable in the workplace but could also give me an edge over my competition early on when starting in the industry.

Traylor interviewing a trainer on Dooley Field
Traylor-Askew interviews University of Kentucky Football strength and conditioning coach Rafael Horton.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor, mentor or family member?

I have two great pieces of advice from Professor Vicki Michaelis that I try to keep in mind with all that I do professionally. The first is “Don’t let perfection get in the way of done.” This advice has helped me to stay out of my own way when it comes to being a perfectionist. Instead of trying to find some cute way to dress up a graphic or some fun phrase to add to a sideline hit, it’s always best at the end of the day to deliver the truth of the information in a clear and concise format, and to worry about the additives later. And the second is “If you know what you don’t know, you’ll be fine.” As long as I remain aware of the areas where I can improve, I will always be working to better myself and therefore better position myself for the future.

What are you planning to do after graduation?

I hope to begin working in social media production for an NFL or NBA team in Los Angeles, Phoenix or Atlanta. I could also see myself working in sports broadcasting in some form, either as an anchor or producer.

What is your favorite app or social media channel and why?
Traylor on the Newsource set
Traylor-Askew is an active volunteer and manager for Grady Newsource.

TikTok. It is such an informal platform that even professional TikTok accounts are able to create a silly atmosphere for consumers. When NFL and NBA teams can use this form of media to make jokes about one another and it’s not only acceptable, but to be expected, I think it is great.

Where is your favorite place on campus and why?

My favorite place on campus is Sanford Stadium. I have been able to make so many great memories there with the new friends that I’ve made during my time at UGA. The atmosphere is phenomenal. And as a major sports fan, I didn’t miss a home game all year and I don’t plan to miss one next year either.

Who is your professional hero?

I would consider Maria Taylor to be a professional hero of mine. She also attended Grady and is having a very successful career in sports broadcasting. She is one of the younger successful Black sports broadcasters that I feel has recently blazed a trail for women like me who could follow in her footsteps before creating my own path.

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

I was part of a small team of student reporters who worked to create “The First Five,” a documentary about the five black men who integrated the UGA football team in 1971. I didn’t realize how much work would go into the project when we first started, and I had some self doubt in the beginning because I’d never done anything like it before. However, I worked hard to give each subject a true voice when I finished my portion of the piece and when I saw what it added to the overall story, it was one of the proudest moments of my life.

 

Countdown to the Olympic Games: Vicki Michaelis

Posted on by Dayne Young

The Olympics in Tokyo will be the first Summer Games Vicki Michaelis has not covered in nearly three decades. Between Summer and Winter Games, Michaelis has reported from nine Olympics.

The press badges Michaelis has collected over the years. (Photo: submitted)

Her Olympics coverage for the Denver Post, USA TODAY and TeamUSA.org has taken her to Sydney, London and Athens, Greece, among other global hubs.

She witnessed every Olympic victory from Michael Phelps, including his historic performance in 2008 in Beijing when the swimmer won eight gold medals. Michaelis wrote about documenting that history for TeamUSA.org in 2016.

“The Olympics are a potent mix of everything I love about covering sports,” Michaelis said. “You have an endlessly rich array of athletes and their narratives to explore. You also have the social, political and cultural layers of the athletes and teams competing against each other.”

Michaelis is now rooted in Athens, Georgia, where she is the John Huland Carmical Chair in Sports Journalism & Society and director of the Carmical Sports Media Institute.

Her first visit to UGA’s campus was for the 1996 Olympic Games when soccer was played in Sanford Stadium. Little did she know then that her career would one day be planted steps away from that same stadium.

After Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal in Beijing in the medley relay, Michaelis captured this image. Phelps and his medley relay teammates are visible in the background on the top step of the podium. (Photo: Christine Brennan)

“It is very special to me now,” Michaelis said. “But, to be honest, my memory of covering that game isn’t vivid or anywhere near complete. More than anything, I remember being deeply grateful for the cold hot dog that UGA sports information legend Claude Felton (ABJ ’70, MA ’71) offered after the game, as I filed my story from the Sanford Stadium press box.”

That small gesture of kindness was received with much gratitude considering Olympics coverage deadlines make sleep scarce and good meals rare. The multi-week grind was always worthwhile for Michaelis because it was a small price to have a first-hand account of athletic history.

In Atlanta in 1996, she covered the U.S. women’s gold-medal games in soccer, basketball and softball.

“I saw and chronicled those watershed moments in U.S. women’s sports,” Michaelis said. “Both soccer and softball were new to the Olympics, and it was the first time Americans — a generation after the 1972 passage of Title IX — really embraced women’s teams and not just individual women’s athletes at an Olympics. The Atlanta Games changed how we view professional women’s sports leagues and women in sports overall. That I was there for those historic Olympic victories is a career highlight.”

Michaelis was part of the ecosystem of professionals around the Olympics. Many of her best memories and connections were created in the shadow of the iconic five-ring logo. Now, she and the Carmical Sports Media Institute create similar opportunities for young journalists.

Students in the Carmical Sports Media Institute began covering the Paralympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and will continue in perpetuity thanks to the generosity of the Carmical Foundation. This coverage is in partnership with The Associated Press.

Professor Vicki Michaelis talks with Miranda Daniel, left, Nikki Weldon and Zoe Smith as they plan out coverage at the US Air Force Academy of the Department of Defense Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Thursday, May 31, 2018. (Photo: Mark E. Johnson)

“The Paralympic Games offer all that I love about the Olympics, amplified,” said Michaelis. “Media outlets, though, generally don’t devote resources to amplifying the Paralympic stories. That gives us the opening to give our students the social, cultural and practical experience of covering a Paralympic Games while also giving them the chance to get their stories and photos published by high-profile media outlets.”

With every Olympic Games competition comes new stories from athletes and their home nations. It is where local cultures meld with sporting achievement serving as a common and universal language. For a sports storyteller, the Olympic Games are bountiful garden of meaningful narratives.

“You have the heightened drama and emotion of the competition, because every moment and every result is so consequential when the chance to shine comes only once every four years,” said Michaelis.

The Olympic Games in Toyko will be different for Michaelis. She will enjoy the spectacle as a spectator and through the eyes of the audience she’s long served. It will surely stir up a variety of emotions and memories.

Just as many athletes find themselves coaching the next generation of gold medalists, she now serves as a coach. Some Olympics content she consumes in July and August will be created by students she trained.

“As fulfilling as it was to be an Olympics reporter,” Michaelis said, “the reward of seeing our Sports Media Certificate graduates live their dreams is beyond compare.”

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Henry Queen

Posted on by admin
Why did you choose Grady and your course of study? 

The Grady Sports Media program initially attracted me to UGA. Growing up an Auburn fan, I might not have given UGA a second thought without it. I remember going on a tour with assistant director Carlo Finlay and being blown away. He recommended I join The Red & Black my freshman year, and the rest is history.   

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you? 

Keeping sane during the last year is tenacious in and of itself. We’ve endured a lot, but that doesn’t mean we should ever let go of hope, gratitude and empathy. To me, tenacity means holding onto those qualities even when it’s most difficult. 

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I’m a childhood cancer survivor!

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about learning new things and restoring shared narratives within our local communities. I want to tell stories that unite more than divide. Sports are an incredible opportunity for that. They’ve been a lifelong passion of mine, but for reasons that have changed. As a kid, I memorized baseball statistics and idolized the game’s best players. Now I see sports (along with music) as one of the best ways for people to connect with strangers. It’s rare for that many people to gather as one, especially in our sprawling, car-dependent cities. Coming out of the pandemic, I expect people to be hungry for that connection.

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

Getting sick on the way to Super Bowl Media Day. I’m prone to motion sickness, and the ride to Atlanta with my classmates wasn’t fun. But I ended up doing the interviews, making photos and writing two stories in time for that afternoon’s deadline.

What is your favorite app or social media channel?

Twitter, but only because I can curate my own feed. That power scares me. 

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

When two people independently took my Twitter recommendation and ate at Groove Burgers on the same day. I’m always happy to spread the good word.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

My friends. Aside from the great times and personal memories we’ve shared, they’ve also meant a ton to me professionally. My storytelling skills were drastically improved by interacting with people outside the journalism bubble.      

Queen interviewed football players as a part of the Super Bowl LIII Media Day. (Photo courtesy of Henry Queen).
Who is your professional hero?

I have so many. Some of my favorite sports journalists include Mirin Fader, Wright Thompson, Howard Bryant and Joe Posnanski. My favorite magazine journalists are Ed Yong, Tom Junod and Chris Jones, although he is now a screenwriter. But that brings up a good point: I admire storytellers of all mediums. I take inspiration from filmmakers, podcasters, YouTubers and songwriters. There is so much good stuff out there.  

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor, mentor or family member?

My mom told me recently that nothing is permanent. I think that’s an important lesson from the pandemic and something to keep in mind going forward. Savor everything you have while you have it.  

Where is your favorite place on campus?

I’m going to be cliché and say North Campus. It’s so beautiful, especially this time of year. 

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Tylar Norman

Posted on by admin

Tylar was recently awarded $1,000 from the Taylor Maggiore Fund. Read the full profile here.

What are you passionate about?

One thing that I am really passionate about is telling the stories and increasing visibility in the media for those in underrepresented groups, such as minorities and women. As a Black woman, I often reflect on how important it is to have representation because I did not see a lot of that growing up. Seeing other women, especially minority women, work in a field that was not very diverse a few decades ago always reminds me to keep going and to remember to make more room at the table for other women. Going into the media field, I recognize the need to continue to uplift and advocate for the voices of minorities, make others more aware of the role we play in society and give back to these groups that have shaped my identity.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I have had my own YouTube channel for about two years!

Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?

I still remember the first time I toured Grady back in April of 2017. I got to see the Newsource studio, hear about the Grady Sports Media program and walk through the halls that would come to shape a big part of my experience as a student at UGA. I chose Grady because the college immediately felt like home before I even got my official acceptance letter. I came into UGA wanting to major in journalism and thinking that I wanted to work in the sports media field. However, I had no idea what direction to go in at that time. Grady College and the Grady Sports Media program have offered me so many opportunities and real world experiences over the past four years that have helped me to find my niche within the journalism field.

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

Having the opportunity to interview and moderate a conversation with Monica Pearson, the first woman and first minority to anchor the daily evening news in Atlanta, for UGA Grady students.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

When I think of tenacity, I think of the word determination. It is continuing to be strong, to persist and to keep moving forward no matter what life throws your way. It is to not worry about the past or the future, because you know that you are strong in the present and have the confidence to handle the challenges and difficulties that you may face everyday.

Where is your favorite place on campus?

The Founder’s Garden in North Campus

What are you planning to do after graduating? What is your dream job?

Upon graduation, I want to obtain more internship experience working in sports media before I begin applying to jobs. Although I am very open to any opportunity in this field, my dream job is to one day work as a digital content creator for a team or for a sports network, as well as helping to run that team’s social media and help with digital marketing initiatives.

Who is your professional hero?

It’s a tie between Maria Taylor and Joy Taylor

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor/mentor/family member?

My mom always tells me that I am capable of doing anything that I have my mind set on. This advice really helped to shape my thought process on the advice that I have further received throughout my college career: Apply for everything, even if you don’t think you are qualified. Getting out of my comfort zone and thinking on my mom’s advice that I am capable always helps me to keep pushing forward.

What is your favorite app or social media channel?

TikTok can always put a smile on my face, but I love Instagram for content creation as well.

#GradyGrit: Meet Tyler Head

Posted on by admin

Editor’s Note: #GradyGrit is a new series of profiles of Grady College students who show determination, leadership and outreach to the community. Search “#GradyGrit” on the Grady College website for additional profiles. 

Hometown: Covington, Georgia

Year: Senior

Degree: Journalism major and Sports Media Certificate

Involvement and activities: Grady Sports Media, UGA Wesley Foundation, WUOG member

How has Grady influenced your time at UGA?

Grady is fantastic. I came in as a transfer student almost two years ago, and the size and prestige of UGA was very intimidating. My first semester I struggled to meet people and kind of felt out of place. I was accepted into Grady and began there the following semester, and it made a world of difference. The professors and other students in Grady are all amazing and I’ve felt so comfortable ever since. I know “Grady Family” may sound like a cliche, but it’s a very real thing, and I love it.

I know “Grady Family” may sound like a cliche, but it’s a very real thing, and I love it.

What is your most memorable Grady experience?  

Being a part of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Radio Talent Institute that Grady hosted over the summer. I have a passion for radio broadcasting and learning the ins and outs of the industry, making connections with industry professionals and forming friendships and relationships with the other students that attended are truly unforgettable.

What has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

The people for sure. I’ve met and gotten to know so many people from so many walks of life and professions, and I really value that. I feel like the more diverse groups of people you interact with can really help you adapt to the world after graduating.

What is your best advice for a student taking their first class at Grady College?

It’s going to seem very overwhelming at first, and you might even think you aren’t cut out for this major, but those fears will subside. As I mentioned before, Grady feels like home and once you become comfortable you’re going to love it. You’ll meet people and do things that will have a lasting impact on your life for years to come.

Tyler Head reports on sports journalism outside the classroom.

What motivates you?

Achieving goals. I always like having something to shoot for, both long and short term. That way I can always push myself to accomplish whatever’s next. I feel that knowing you’re heading in the right direction and building toward something makes life easier.  

Last show/favorite show you binge-watched?

“The Office.” It is such a perfect show I just can’t get enough of it. I’ve already watched it three times and now I’m on my fourth because my girlfriend had never seen it and I introduced it to her.

Favorite quote?

“Having dreams is what makes life tolerable.” It’s from the movie “Rudy,” which I’ve loved since I was a kid. This really ties in what motivates me. We all know life can be challenging at times, but I’ve found that always having something to shoot for can get you through low points.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

That’s a tough one. I’d say probably that I’m very creative. I may not seem that way at times because I can tend to be a quieter person, but I’m all the time thinking of doing creative things. I also like to consider myself a good problem solver and that goes hand in hand with the creativity thing. I always find a way to get things done.

Favorite Athens restaurant?

I’m a very simple person, and I love barbeque, so I’d definitely go with Butt Hutt BBQ. It’s your classic hole-in-the-wall joint and for any barbecue lover that means the food is amazing, and the sweet tea is absolute perfection.

Create your own question to answer: Has Grady provided any challenges for you?

Like with any college courses there’s always the challenge of performing at a high level academically. With Grady there’s also the pressure of representing the college well professionally, too. Grady has a footprint literally everywhere in the media/journalism world, and that can feel a bit daunting to try and live up, to but that’s what makes Grady so great and well respected. I hope I too can one day make an impact in my professional career that represents Grady as the amazing place that it is.