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As a Wisconsin native who was raised on Packers soccer, Kaitlin Sharkey is working within the coronary heart of enemy territory.
Sharkey is a sports activities reporter and anchor for WGN TV in Chicago. Her major beat? Protecting the Chicago Bears soccer staff, along with reporting on different Chicago sports activities information. And there’s a lot of stories: Chicago is residence to 2 skilled baseball groups, the White Sox and the Cubs; the NHL’s Blackhawks; and the NBA’s Bulls, to not point out its school groups. As quickly as one sports activities season is finished, one other one begins.
The hectic schedule retains Sharkey busy, however she wouldn’t have it every other approach. She started her journalism profession instantly after she graduated from UW-Milwaukee, and has beloved each minute of overlaying skilled sports activities.
Sharkey sat down on a uncommon time without work to speak about her profession, how one can be a great sports activities journalist, and which soccer staff she’s rooting for lately.
Let’s tackle the elephant within the room first. You have been raised in Wisconsin. You now cowl the Chicago Bears. What’s it like going “behind enemy traces?”
It’s been enjoyable! There’s no higher rivalry in sports activities than Packers/Bears. I get numerous warmth from my household and buddies, particularly the week after they’re enjoying one another. After all, rising up in Wisconsin, I used to be a Packers fan, however then I began overlaying the Packers. The fandom goes out the door if you begin overlaying groups. It’s your job to report what’s working and what’s not working properly. My job isn’t to be a cheerleader or a fan for these groups, however you do construct relationships with these gamers, and as a human being, you need success for them. You wish to see their blissful moments and share these moments.
How did you arrive at WGN in Chicago?
I graduated from UWM in 2013 in Might after which I took my first job as a sports activities reporter on the CBS affiliate WSAW in Wausau in August. I labored there for 16 months after which I went to WBAY, which is the ABC affiliate in Inexperienced Bay. I spent two years there after which went to Fox 6 in Milwaukee and spent three years there. I moved to Chicago in 2020 and took a job at Fox 32 right here in Chicago and was there two years. In June (2022), the longtime legend Dan Roan retired, so there was a gap at WGN and I utilized. My position is type of a hybrid, which I feel is superior. I’m the Bears beat reporter. I journey with the staff and I’m in any respect practices and video games throughout soccer season. I additionally cowl all the opposite sports activities, after which two to 3 instances per week, I co-host the WGN Sports activities present. We’re the one channel on the town that does a complete 30-minute sports activities present seven days per week.
What does it take to be a great sports activities journalist?
I feel it takes persistence and dedication to seek out the information, inform the story, and be truthful in your storytelling. For me, it’s getting in and constructing relationships with athletes, coaches, and the groups you cowl. It’s being truthful – good, unhealthy, and ugly. Typically you’re overlaying groups which are profitable on a regular basis and that’s straightforward to report on, however then I got here right down to Chicago and began overlaying groups that have been shedding much more. However it’s important to be simply as truthful (when the staff is shedding). It’s persistence to get the data that you just want and discover that stability of being truthful and respectful and understanding how one can ship the story in an genuine, entertaining approach.
What do you do when groups are shedding?
It’s tough. I feel it’s made me a greater journalist, actually. I inform those who on a regular basis. It’s straightforward to interview soccer gamers after they win loads. They’re simply in a greater temper. However then I got here to Chicago, the place they (the Bears) solely received three video games final yr. It’s a distinct expertise doing post-game interview after a loss.
What do you may have to remember doing sports activities journalism versus “common” information?
It’s nonetheless a narrative, whether or not it’s a recreation or a follow or an athlete you’re interviewing. You can be overlaying the identical staff each day, however each day there are totally different tales. Even should you’re simply overlaying a recreation, your job is to boil all of it down and say okay, what occurred right here and what have been the highlights and what was the response? Clearly, you may have a ardour and a information of sports activities. That’s what guides you in sports activities reporting. However on the finish of the day, we’re all nonetheless storytellers. Like, you’re at a basketball recreation. There’s a narrative the place there was a game-defining second or participant, or an damage – these are nonetheless the massive elements of the story.
Do you may have any tales that you just’ve coated that you just’re notably happy with?
I typically coated highschool athletes, and there was a soccer participant in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, who was battling most cancers, and he or she saved going on the market and enjoying. It’s the tales of … athletes who’re overcoming adversity which are an important for me to inform. (I attempt) to make it possible for I’m giving it area and respect and care. Loads of instances, we take a look at athletes and coaches as robots, in a way. To me, my favourite tales and those which have impacted my life probably the most are tales the place I … get to present then a platform. That’s the stuff that conjures up me.
Now that soccer season is over, what’s subsequent for you?
There’s no low season right here. The Bulls are in full swing. We cowl the Blackhawks and school basketball and in February, I’ll be proper again on the NFL Mix. April is the (NFL) draft, after which soccer season begins another time. The state of affairs that the Bears are in means it’s going to be very a busy offseason as soon as once more, with the No. 1 (draft) choose.
It sounds such as you’re having an incredible time as a sports activities journalist. How did UWM assist get you to the place you might be at the moment?
I all the time beloved watching the information with my mother. I used to be type of a nerd like that. I beloved being in forensics in highschool. As soon as I acquired to UWM, I knew my monitor must be journalism. Mark Zoromski was the top of the journalism program once I was there. He and Jane Hampden left such an impression on me. I feel UWM does such an excellent job of maximizing our assets. I had nice hands-on expertise. I understand how UWM within the hierarchy in schools typically in Wisconsin, and I don’t suppose it will get sufficient credit score. There are fantastic those who I do know I wouldn’t be the place I’m at with out them and the assets and a spotlight that I acquired at UWM in journalism. I’m grateful for that. Don’t be sleeping on UWM; it’s such a enjoyable place and an excellent college.
By Sarah Vickery, School of Letters & Science
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