Staff Writer
The Women in Sports Reporting panel took place on September 13th in the Slep Fireside Lounge. The panel included Hannah Mears, a Pittsburgh Steelers reporter, Michelle Crechiolo, a Pittsburgh Penguins reporter, and Anderley Penwell, a WTAJ-TV sports anchor, with Professor Stefanie Kempton moderating.
Panel organizer and moderator, Professor Stefanie Kempton. By Javier Pozo
Kempton introduced the panelists by asking each woman about an important part of their life or career.
Mears, a Penn State alum, was asked about her college experience. She responded that it was “absolutely everything.” She encouraged the students in the audience to talk to their professors and to stay connected with them. Mears credited her start in the business to these connections, “I was getting legit job experience while in college.”
Crechiolo has played hockey since she was four and continued throughout college. Within her current profession, Crechiolo stated, “I try to embrace it [her hockey career] as much as I possibly can.” She then encouraged the audience to embrace their strengths which in turn can provide credibility and respect.
Students and faculty in attendance of the panel.
By Javier Pozo
Penwell balances covering the athletic levels of both high school and college sports. However, Penn State takes a priority. Penwell stated, “Penn State football from August 1st until the bowl is everything,” referring to the game that a college football team plays post-season. She concluded by saying that her experiences are very dependent on the teams and levels she covers.
When asked about how she decided on their career and what her inspirations were, Mears reminisced on how she originally wanted to be a doctor or nurse. However, her mom encouraging her to look at other colleges and her cousins taking her to a Penn State football game led her to becoming a Penn State journalism student. “Trust your gut and trust your mom,” said Mears.
Panelists L-R Anderley Penwell, Michelle Crechiolo, and Hannah Mears.
By Javier Pozo
Every panelist mentioned the fact that they must work twice as hard as men in their field. “Someone’s always questioning your credibility,” stated Mears after Crechiolo stated that people give her no benefit of a doubt in knowing the sport she is covering.
However, being a woman in this career field can also be an advantage, “You can be disarming in a way,” said Penwell. Women can be seen as less intimidating than men when interviewing players and coaches.
Penwell also stated, “There’s this bond all women have in sports.” She continued with the idea that it is important to have a unity and to support other women.
The panel continued with a talk of ethics. Crechiolo stated, “The biggest thing is making sure you’re right, not first.” She continued with the idea that journalists can get caught up in being first or with the likes they get. Mears stated that it can be easy for everyone to feel like a journalist because of social media.
Panelists L-R Anderley Penwell, Michelle Crechiolo, and Hannah Mears.
By Javier Pozo
The main piece of advice the panelists had was to be true to oneself. They stated that each person’s work needs to reflect who they are on and off camera. Crechiolo made a point to tell the audience to trust that they deserve to be where they are or will be.
Penwell concluded with the advice to be a good person. “This industry is just two people away,” stated Penwell, referring to the small-world nature of journalism.