By Keara Donnelly
As I walked into the Hall of Fame Room in the Reilly Center for men’s basketball media day, I remember a sense of loneliness going through my mind as I scanned the room and saw that I was the only female reporter in the room. Although I felt overwhelmed and nervous, I was proud of myself for stepping outside of my comfort zone and getting the interviews done. But I will never forget the initial feeling on that day.
Fast forward to this past Friday, where I walked to my seat on press row in the Reilly Center ahead of the Bonnies’ game against Davidson College Wildcats and felt a similar feeling to the one I felt on media day – alone, but proud as the only woman on press row. I look back on Friday night as just one of the many more pieces to the puzzle in my journey to proving that women can succeed in a male-dominated field, such as sports journalism.
Ever since I was young, I loved playing sports and going to games with my family. I would watch sports games or play sports video games with my brother. When I was younger, my brother’s friends would come over they would ask me to name players from any team, especially the New York Knicks, Jets and Mets. I was able to tell them. “How can she do that?” they would ask in amazement. Something clicked, and I realized my dream is to work for a professional sports organization. What I did not realize at that time was sports media is a “man’s world.”
I decided to step outside of my comfort zone. When I was 16-years-old, I was accepted for a pre-college program centered around sports communication. There were 25 people in the program, but only three were women. We learned about broadcasting, sideline reporting, marketing, public relations and sports writing. It really gave me the opportunity to see jobs I could have in the future.
During the program, we went on a trip to New York City. We went to the MLB headquarters and met with the director and specialist of business communications. We also went to Madison Square Garden, where we went on a tour and met with a public relations representative. This was a dream for me to be able to tour my favorite professional basketball team. This program gave me real working experience and showed me many sports career opportunities.
Now I am currently a sophomore at St. Bonaventure pursuing a degree in strategic communication. I found it interesting and nerve-wracking, realizing that I am the only girl that shows up for a sports meeting for the various publications on campus. I have learned through writings and interviews that I can bring a different perspective to the St. Bonaventure community.
In addition, I am also the only girl sports writer at WSBU The Buzzworthy, Her Campus, The Intrepid and my new role at The Bona Venture as the sports assignment Editor. I am thrilled to have my new role at this publication where I can further enhance my skills as a writer, reporter and editor.
My advice to anyone women who wants to pursue a career in sports is to face the critics and prove you can succeed and follow your dreams in a “man’s world.” Women should not be afraid to express their interest in sports media because it is not only for men. Three things to take away are to be confident, get the facts right and believe in yourself. My takeaway is to do what makes you happy. The best careers are ones you are passionate about, as I am in pursuing a career in sports media.
Keara Donnelly is the Sports Assignment Editor.
Her email is donnelkm17@bonaventure.edu.
