Introduction

Meet Tommy

Stepping onto a football field for the first time as a journalist was a surreal experience. All I had heard from those around me was “Texas does sports differently, but nothing compares to football.”

Little did I know just how right they were.

My portfolio will showcase the work I did while on the field, but all the highlights, pictures, and articles won’t show how I grew as a person, and as a journalist.

I approached covering games similar to the way athletes do when they prepare to play. My version of game planning was taking notes on both team’s stats, interviewing coaches and players, and doing research on team history.

Pregame warmups for me come in the form of social media standups to prepare fans for kickoff and taking pictures of athletes for use in articles. Making small talk with coaches and players to get an idea of how confident they are for the upcoming challenge is an added bonus.

And when game time comes around, it’s important to be just as locked in as everyone competing. My camera is always on the action. I’ve learned that in sports, you never know what can happen, so it’s important to stay ready for the big play.

Sports is where I found my passion, specifically broadcasting. It’s where my hopes and dreams lie for a professional career, and I plan to work towards it at the collegiate level. But it’s not all I can do.

I’ve been able to cover news all over the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. As you’ll see in the reporting and writing section, I attended several district board meetings to learn more about the approach for students to return to campus and gave out that information on Twitter.

A few days before school resumed, I wrote a “Top 10 Things to Know” for the first day of school and promoted it on social media so everyone was prepared to return safely.

Another skill I’ve been able to harness is photography, as I started out using photos for game updates but grew into a freelance photographer in my free time. I’ve been able to garner profit and work with clients every week. Having those pictures posted on social media has led to an increase in traffic to my social media pages. It is part of the reason my audience engagements on platforms like Twitter reside in the millions.

Overall, I’ve learned in seven years of journalism experience that versatility is your strongest tool. Thankfully I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to perform that consistently. I trust that’s conveyed in the portfolio. I’m beyond ecstatic about what the future holds. Thank you for visiting, and enjoy.