Real women watch...ESPN.

I'll never understand how some women don't appreciate sports. How can anyone not get into it? Maybe it was just the environment I was raised in, but if you tell me you don't appreciate any sort of athletic activity, I'll just assume you grew up in an ice cave in the middle of Antarctica. Have you never seen the World Cup? Or the Kentucky Derby? 

Some weekends when I am home, I just have ESPN on all day while I'm doing homework or cleaning, and my mom jokes that whoever I marry better want to watch the game and cuddle rather than going to dinner and a movie. I don't think I could plan a better date than that. I think one of the requirements of my future husband will be a scale ranking from 1-10 on how much he enjoys playing at least SOMETHING. If it's a 5 or under, it's a no-go. We're shooting for an 8.5-15.


First, it's the only thing on television that isn't sex, drugs or war. 


Second, it's pure competition. Of course, I'd rather be in the game than watching it, but it's just as exciting to watch amazingly athletic humans in their element. Basketball, specifically. I think because I know the game inside and out it's a lot more interesting, and I can see where they can go, where they can shoot, plays to make--I even had a dream last night that I walked on to the basketball team and started. Great dream. Then I woke up.


Football is even better because there are SO many things to know and understand. (At least for me.) Whenever I go to a game with someone who knows it a lot better than I do, I find myself asking too many questions and probably annoying them. But I figure guys want to impress girls about their knowledge, right? It's a win-win situation.


Maybe that's it. Maybe girls just don't know enough about the logistics to really appreciate them. So men, if you want your girl to watch the game with you, just try explaining it to her. She'll want to figure it out, and then you will get her to watch it intently with you. Who knows, she'll probably become a bigger Broncos fan than you.


One of the first questions I asked some sisters in my mission was if there were already basketball/volleyball games going on. Yes? Yes. Phew. I can leave now.

WCC.

What a way to begin March Madness. Okay, yeah, so we just are at the WCC Tournament...but we're at the WCC Tournament! It's basketball 24/7 and I could never complain. We came down here to shoot an 8 minute segment for CoogTube that aired this morning, so Wednesday and Thursday was kinda nuts. But now we're just watching/filming games for future use. One week in Las Vegas watching basketball...I think I chose the right major.

Most people ask if I learn anything. I don't think I've ever learned more. Not just about film, cameras, editing...but about people and communication. It's so helpful to know how to go up and talk to a person, and to make friends with them. More useful than you might imagine. This major is perfect for me.

My first story: NBA coverage.

Last night was my first time getting paid as a sports reporter! I was assigned to the Jazz/Kings game to tell our wonderful BYUtv audience about Jimmer's return to Utah. I don't think I could have asked for a better first story on air. It was a toss-up to see if I could actually get the interviews I wanted, but it turned out more wonderfully than I ever expected.


We (my cameraman and I) got there at 4:30, just in time to interview THE Jimmer with our trusty Media passes. Can I say going to the Jazz game, not only for free, but getting paid to go is the best job in the world?

Surprisingly, I got to ask him all the questions I wanted, and he looked pretty relieved that someone from his alma mater was there. I have proof he was, because this was the only time he kind of smiled in the interview. (And my arm really hurt holding up that microphone for so long.)

Photos courtesy of Deseret News:  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700220134/
Jimmer-Fredettes-return-shows-hes-still-an-NBA-work-in-progress.html

We were then treated in the Hot Rud Hundley Media Center where they provided food and entertainment before the game. I got to have dinner with and talk to Craig Bolerjack and Thurl Bailey before they went off to go do their own reporting, and was introduced to the PR guys of the Utah Jazz. I really wanted for an internship opening, but I figured it was not the time nor place. I kept their contact information, don't worry. 

We had some time to kill before the game, so I wanted to get more interviews and my get stand-up out of the way. We went down on the sidelines to get some awesome footage, then walked around the concourse to scout out the fans with Brigham Young gear on. None of them turned me down for an interview--I even got a few little boys tapping me on the leg asking if they could be on TV! It was so cute to see them so excited about Jimmer coming to Utah.

When I got up to Media Row, I felt pretty legit when I saw this:

And looked out to see a clear view of this:

And then just got to sit and enjoy the game. It was so relaxing knowing the only thing I had left to do was get a few more interviews. Of course I STILL have to write the script...the biggest part. 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700220134/Jimmer-Fredettes-return-shows-hes-still-an-NBA-work-in-progress.html

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700220134/Jimmer-Fredettes-return-shows-hes-still-an-NBA-work-in-progress.html

After Jimmer air-balled the three (that would have been epic if it would have gone in--to pull them into OT) the team left the court to get ready for the press. While they were in the locker room, I got to talk to his girlfriend and former NFL Tight-End Chad Lewis. I was definitely in the right place at the right time to get personal insights on his journey to the NBA and what it's like to go pro. I got in a few questions with a couple of Kings players that think the world of their point guard, but also thought it was super weird to have the opposing crowd cheer for one of their teammates. 


Man, it was so much fun. When people take you seriously, you feel like a grown-up...and last night was one of the first times I felt like a grown-up. It was for my job, and not just a school assignment--that was the coolest part. I'm glad I get to try my hand at sportscasting, and this was definitely a first step in the door.


Don't worry...things can still go wrong...my story hasn't hit the air yet. Watch it tomorrow night at 8 ET/6 MT on BYUtv!

#HibernationOver

I can't believe I missed it.


For an intramural volleyball game. Which usually would be just fine. But we lost. And I forgot how much I hate losing. I missed this:

via

and this (mostly because I've got a huge campus-celeb crush on this guy):

via

and talk about missing...I really miss this:

via

I have this deep love for college basketball that needs to be satisfied asap. Okay, let's be honest, a deep love for college sports. (Basketball is surely at the top, however.) Of course I love to watching them play, but overall the thing that gets me is the teamwork and dedication put in by every single athlete and by the coaching staff. Seeing them execute the play gets me every time. Weird, I know. That was the kicker for my high school basketball days--seeing something come together that I worked so hard on. So when I see that success on the floor, that's where the chills come. Knowing that they've worked hard enough to deserve it.

Number 32...I was basically Jimmer. HA. JOKE.
My cute little basketball days...a.k.a the good old days.

Is it March yet?