Women in Sports Journalism
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Typing on her computer in the Tointon Family Stadium press box, junior Molly Hackett, works on her article covering that night's baseball game for the Collegian. Hackett has always been around sports, starting softball at the age of four (even rowing for K-State her freshman year) but she only recently began exploring its journalistic side. "I actually only started at the beginning of this year," she said. Previously she had focused on news writing but thought to give sports journalism a try by taking on the position of assistant sports editor for the Collegian during the fall semester. (Rowan Jones | Collegian Media Group)
One of the main challenges Hackett has faced while working in sports journalism is the fact that she is normally one of the only women in the room. "For any new sports reporter breaking in is already a hard enough challenge. But being a female makes it even harder" Hackett said. Hackett says that it took a semester and a half for her to earn the respect of others. Overcoming that barrier was something that she attributed to her 'no-quit' attitude. "Typically when I want something I'll go after it until I get what I want. That's definitely the way I've had to face this and do my job, is 'I'm gonna do it to the best of my abilities and I'm gonna do whatever it takes to do my job well.'" (Rowan Jones | Collegian Media Group)
Willie the Wildcat poses as Molly Hackett takes a picture for the Collegian's social media platforms. Part of Hackett's job other than writing articles is to create multi-media content for a variety of outlets. To prepare for a game day Hackett likes to show up two hours before the game. "Before I even come, I have already planned out my content as to what I'm gonna write, what I'm gonna say, what I'm gonna shoot on video, my social media. So I have that content already created and it's just a matter of actually getting it done." Prepping all of her content beforehand allows her to publish 10 minutes after the conclusion of a game. (Rowan Jones | Collegian Media Group)
As the game plays on the strike of a bat causes Molly Hackett to drift her attention away from her phone. While there have been challenges with entering sports journalism Hackett says that one of the best parts of her job has been both the real and hands on experience. "I've gotten to cover the Big XII tournament in Kansas City, I got to go to the NCAA tournament in San Jose, so it's really offered me a lot things a lot of college kids don't get to do." Hackett said. This summer Hackett was able to acquire her dream internship working as the media relations and T.V intern for the Pro Fast Pitch Softball league, giving her the opportunity to travel across the country telling the stories of elite athletes. (Rowan Jones | Collegian Media Group)
Standing in front of the scoreboard of the Tointon Family Stadium Bridget Howard, junior in mass communications, talks to the camera while broadcasting on ESPN 3. "I grew up in a sports family" Howard said "ESPN was always on in my house so I was always just like enamored with sports." Alongside her love of sports sideline reporting has given her the ability to tell stories as well. (Rowan Jones | Collegian Media Group)
"I've gotten to meet a lot of really cool people" Bridget Howard said in response when asked what was the most interesting part of sports journalism. Howard has reached out to a lot of female sideline reporters hosts and has had the opportunity to shadow Holly Row, Molly Mcgraff, Jenny Dell and Kelly Nash among others. "That's cool in and of itself getting to listen to all their stories." Howard said that even though the number of women in sports journalism is small it is growing and she has always been able to find support from professionals in the industry. (Rowan Jones | Collegian Media Group)
Holding her clipboard and microphone Bridget Howard watches the baseball game from the first base line. Howard covers baseball, womens soccer, womens basketball, mens basketball and football for K-State HD-TV, who broadcast's to Fox Sports Kansas City and ESPN 3. Looking towards the future Howard want's to continue telling stories even if that takes her off the sideline. (Rowan Jones | Collegian Media Group)