Industry greats fill Sports Task Force mentor breakfast

Not a seat was empty as journalists from across the country gathered on the fourth floor of the Detroit Marriott Thursday morning. A panel of veteran sports journalists at the National Association of Black Journalist Sports Task Force Mentor Breakfast offered tips, panels and discussion for how to gain entry to the sports journalism industry to a packed house.

Doors opened about 7:20 a.m., but the crowd started gathering well before 7. Guests who had reservations were seated first, followed by walk-ups, who filled the remaining seats.

One of the panels featured ESPN columnist Jemele Hill, who talked about her transition to The Undefeated, a news platform that looks at the intersection of sports, culture and race.

“The Undefeated represented, for me, everything I liked about journalism,” Hill said.

She said it was her step back to “the trenches.”

She had some advice for young journalists who want to follow her.

“I always appreciate authenticity and genuineness,” Hill said. It’s also important, she said, to keep a clean social media profile when looking for a job.

Rob Parker, a panelist from FOX Sports, talked about being named NABJ Sports Journalist of the Year in Detroit.

“It’s wonderful to be honored by your people, your peers,” Parker said. “I’ve been coming to NABJ, been a member since 1988. It’s nice to be recognized. Great for it to happen in Detroit, a place where I had a 20-year career. So, I’m thrilled!”

Panel host Michael Eaves of ESPN’s SportsCenter said that with technology being so accessible, young journalists need to always be building a reel of work.

“You have no excuse not to produce content,” he told the crowd.

David Aldridge of Turner Network said young journalists hungry for work need to keep their focus on one thing.

“It’s about the work, it’s not about anything else,” Aldridge said. “It’s not about the money, it’s not about the glamour. It’s about the work. You got to do the work. … If you outwork everybody, you’re going to be fine.”

Student journalist Jerell Rushin of Georgia State University said he’s taking the advice to heart.

“I took away that you should let somebody mentor you before you let somebody sponsor you,” Rushin said. “It doesn’t seem like somebody would sponsor you without knowing you. So get to know the person, ask questions, stay around, and then you’ll have the relationship where they’ll be able to sponsor you.”