Working in the sports media has its perks.
On the surface, working in this industry seems inherently “cool”. To outsiders, being a sports reporter consists of covering the big games that tens of thousands of people pay a fortune to attend. Even better, part of the gig is speaking to professional players and coaches that fans idolize.
The most successful journalists become public figures themselves. Network broadcasters speak to audiences of thousands to millions on live television. Sports writers take their space behind the scenes. But their prose is consumed by avid readers.
Each word captures fan’s imagination and enhances their understanding of the game. Whether their tool is a pen and paper or a video camera and microphone, reporters have relationships with famous athletes and coaches. Their interviews may take place in a modern network studio, or late at night in a sweat-soaked locker room.
Conversing with sports heroes in either setting is an enviable occupation. Ever since Babe Ruth became the first celebrity athlete during the Roaring Twenties, athletes have been put on a pedestal. The Ruth-sized platform given to players, teams and leagues magnifies the importance of the work being done by those that cover sports.
Journalists, whether it be play-by-play announcers or podcasters, have a responsibility to perform with so many people watching. The wrong call or sentence raises the ire of audiences. With all the pressure to produce, it’s natural for any journalist to have anxiety before taking their own respective stages. Especially for college students new to the profession and still honing their craft.
The expectations and competition makes knocking on the doors of the sports media world a daunting endeavor. For those that need encouragement – this writer included – know this: It’s okay to be scared. The stress can subside with hard work and an increased bandwidth for being uncomfortable.
For proof, meet 20-year-old Arizona State journalism student Matthew McChord. The ASU sophomore possesses the confidence of his college’s namesake, Walter Cronkite.
Despite lacking years of experience, McChord approaches his upcoming student media play-by-play tryouts with a full dose of enthusiasm.
Although McChord enjoys the various disciplines of journalism, nothing beats the bright spotlight of being on camera. His self-assurance doesn’t come from hubris. McChord possesses a quiet confidence because he is battle-tested. The adversity he’s endured in his life has prepared him for this line of work.
The adrenaline rush of performing for television has become his passion. McChord’s love for the job and sports make his dark brown eyes light up when he discusses broadcasting. Where does McChord’s confidence come from? Maybe it’s from growing up a diehard New England Patriots fan, where things have generally worked out okay over the years.
Although witnessing the six-time Super Bowl-winning franchise play helped develop McChord’s ability to dissect a football game, his belief in himself comes from his willingness to accept his own deficiencies and push himself out of his comfort zone.
Like most of us, McChord wasn’t born with a Cool Hand Luke-like stoicism. In fact, McChord was very much the opposite as a child and adolescent.
A social anxiety disorder afflicted McChord for much of his childhood. At 15-years-old, the symptoms of the condition even forced him to quit playing baseball.
“Being in a social space,” McChord said, “going to certain kinds of places like assemblies, especially junior high assemblies where there were thousands of people, or just being watched by a lot of people was a lot for me. And I ended up kind of falling out of love with baseball.”
Stepping into the batter’s box as onlookers watched from the bleachers gave McChord uncontrollable nerves. Large crowds and congested rooms in general became a nightmare. The fear of making a mistake riddled his mind with negative thoughts.
The exposition of McChord’s early years is a stark contrast to his present. After an inability to cope in settings with too many people, McChord is happy to be pursuing one of the most public facing careers.
“I love being on TV,” McChord said. “Which is funny, because, you know, a couple of years ago, really bad social anxiety, I would have cried being on TV. But now I want to be on TV really bad. I love writing. But TV to me is a way to really express your opinion to more people. More people will hear your voice and it’s more fun.”
There was no magic solution that sparked McChord’s progression, nor specific words of wisdom from other people. Even therapy didn’t seem to help very much. It wasn’t so much a light bulb moment, but more of a gradual realization that made him realize
he needed to apply himself to get over being intimidated by social settings.
McChord gradually went to work and immersed himself into the very situations that made him nervous. “When it comes to social anxiety, or just anxiety in general you kind of have to dive head on into that stuff,” McChord said. “So I started diving head on and doing everything I could that I was scared of when I was younger. And it helped so much to where I don't really have anything anymore. I don't have social anxiety, I don’t have any of that stuff.”
After surviving each encounter, the confidence grew. Every new test passed continued the momentum. McChord eventually made an about-face after years of applying himself. His growing tolerance turned into actually enjoying the things that he was once afraid of.
Anxiety became enthusiasm.
“When you come out or something like that you feel really good about yourself. You’re like, ‘Man, I just went through that and I feel really good about it.’ And that helps you in the long run build confidence.”
Five years ago McChord left the baseball diamond at the beginning of high school. More specifically, his social anxiety disorder took the game away from him. To get it back, McChord intentionally took action to help his mental maturation grow in lockstep with his height through his teens.
Upon graduating Chandler Hamilton, McChord started his sports comeback as a journalism student at ASU. Although his playing surface is now a broadcast booth, McChord is back in the game.
