Lindsey Kidwell
Reporter
As a woman going into the world of sports journalism, I often get asked what motivates me and how far I want to go with it.
It seems to surprise everyone that a young woman cares so much about the sports industry — but for me, it’s a way of life.
I’ve lived and breathed sports for 10 years now. It’s become a love, an addiction and what drives my outlook on the world.
I was born and raised in the small town of Redmond. That is where every dream, goal and aspiration in my life was created.
At the age of 9 years old, I started swimming competitively. I eventually had several state championships under my belt and was a member of the NCSA National Team, nearly qualifying for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trial Team in the 100-meter breaststroke.
That is where my love of sports began.
As my swimming career ended, I began to find a new love for sports. College football and the NBA became my passion.
More specifically, I became a Duck and a Blazer fan.
Missing a game became unheard of.
Because the intensity and excitement got the best of me, I now get to start my career in the sports world.
Becoming a sports reporter during my freshman year of college is a dream come true. It’s the very first step up the long flight of stairs that I hope to slowly, but surely climb.
Ideally, I will take the telecommunications route, with aspirations to become a sideline reporter for ESPN. My drive and passion is for the interviewing and communications area of the industry.
My inspiration comes from the infamous ESPN sideline reporter, Erin Andrews. Though it is typical for any woman in this industry to love Andrews, there is something else to it. She fascinates me. Her confidence and technique while interviewing are motivating and exemplary.
The process of interviewing is acquired over time. It can be incredibly nerve-racking, but at the same time so exciting. It’s one thing to ask questions in a formatted manner, but an interview in the sports world is nothing short of impromptu.
Learning to put aside the star-struck adrenaline running through your veins is a challenge in itself. Talking to a college athlete is somewhat intimidating, to say the least. That being said, nothing compares to the rush I feel after completing a sports interview.
In the meantime, my main focus will be on my writing. It is an important skill to have, as well as a stepping stone to future careers.
Every day is a learning experience. With each interview and each story, I plan to gain more knowledge — the kind that I need to become an expert in the industry.
My career has just begun, and I absolutely adore what I do.
