Following Pat Summitt’s advice: No doubts about being a sportswriter

For the Love of the Page is a series in which Bleacher Report Sportswriting Interns explain why they write.

I have always wanted to be a sports journalist. I grew up playing sports, watching sports and admiring the people who announced them.

Most people’s answers change over time to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’m one of the lucky ones who discovered their passion at a young age. Our answer remains the same.

The moment that sparked me to get involved in the sports industry happened the summer before my junior year of high school. I attended the University of Tennessee Sports Broadcasting Camp.

I researched video highlights and statistics and wrote my own scripts and reports. I also did a sideline report, play-by-play commentary and color commentary, anchored an individual halftime show and co-anchored a halftime show with the director of the camp.

I had the pleasure of meeting Pat Summitt, the University of Tennessee’s women’s basketball coach. She stood in front of the camp and delivered a very powerful speech that has always stuck with me.  She encouraged us to stand up for ourselves and to follow our dreams. She said we must give everything 110 percent effort, and that if we want to do what we are passionate about, we must not have any doubts. The moment we feel doubt is the moment we must reevaluate if it is truly what we want to do.

I have no doubts about being a sports journalist. My prior experiences and the privilege of writing for Bleacher Report have allowed me to further my passion and expand my sports knowledge.  I have developed the skills and ability to write about any sport or any athlete at any time.

I hope to continue writing or reporting about sports and to make it my career. One day, I hope for sports fans around the country to read an article written by me or see me reporting from the sidelines.

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Check out Brooke’s sportswriter profile.