Sports journalism is a great way for athletes and sports enthusiasts to take their love of the game to a lifelong career.
Sports fans are passionate. So too are sports journalists. I have worked in many newsrooms in my time, and have seen my fair share of shenanigans. From tears in the eyes of local journalists covering the first big state championship win for a local team, to drop kicking a garbage can while screaming obscenities as the college football championship dreams were crushed. This passion makes great sports journalism. Sure, the person reading the article is probably trying to keep up with their kid's team or favorite national team. But sports journalism has to have heart. Reciting stats surely gets the information across, but can be stuffy to read. Describing the looks on the players faces, the reactions of the crowd, this brings people into the story.
Sports broadcasting is another great way to stay in the game, as a career. The articles we read this week focused ont he work of some prominent sports journalists, but I want to take time to call out the one who has made the most impact on me personally. I have heard the voice of Bob Uecker since infancy.
I'm a Wisconsin girl, and the Milwaukee Brewers are ingrained in Wisconsin sports fandom just as hard core as the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Bucks. In fact, Wisconsin has a vibrant and thriving set of teams, both national and collegiate. Uecker has been sportscasting the Breweres so long it would be hard to imagine a game without his input. He uses inflection, emotion and a genuine love of the game to make his broadcasts engaging. As a former player himself, he has the kind of insight and knowledge that makes his commentary hit home.
Uecker has been a treasure to sportscasting, in both his play by play and journalistic input. His career has spanned 5 decades, for good reason. Uecker brings his heart and soul to the game, with lighthearted jabs at his lackluster career as a baseball player and a genuine infectious love of the game.
