Good sports stories don’t only involve the star who scores the most points. These stories should build connections, make an impact, and give people something to relate to. The idea behind this series comes from just that. I have played sports for most of my life. Was I the star athlete who made the local paper? No. But did I care about the game and love…
The Silence Beneath the Surface
It’s Halloween morning at Tunnels Beach in Kauai, Hawaii and thirteen-year-old Bethany Hamilton is out surfing. For the moment, this is just like any other ordinary day on the water. But little does she know; this is all about to change. It’s early in the morning, the water is quiet, and this is something she’s done hundreds of times before. As she’s lying on her board with her arm in the water,…
The Power of a Knee
If you are any type of sports fan, the kneeling protest by former San Francisco 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick, is one that didn’t go unnoticed. This began in 2016, when the former quarterback chose to kneel during the national anthem at games. Kaepernick’s goal in doing this was to protest police brutality and racial injustice, specifically towards Black Americans. This simple gesture…
From Passion to Profession: Insights from a Local Sports Reporter
I got the chance to interview Joe, a local newspaper sports reporter from Winchester, Virginia. Using that interview, I was able to create an infographic highlighting his career journey. This was a rewarding experience for me because I got to see first hand how someone came out of college and started their career path. As someone currently…
Charm City Left Waiting
Heartbreak in the Steel City: Ravens’ Season Ends on Wide-Right Whimper January 4th, 2026, In Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium, the Ravens put up one last fight to hold onto their hopes of pushing through the playoffs. It seems like every year, their season goes up and down with a lot of emotions, and they can’t seem to make it past round one in…
The Relentless Flock Member
Well, here we are again. The glitter has been swept up, the confetti is gone, and for some reason, the Baltimore Ravens weren’t the ones holding the trophy. Again. If you’re like me, you’re currently in the “Five Stages of Grief,” but I’ve been stuck on Stage 2: Anger since the clock hit zero in…
Winchester’s Own: My Sport Professional Penpal
Meet Joe Tuman! He is a multimedia sports journalist from Pennsylvania, graduating from Penn State University in 2025. He is currently writing as a sports reporter for the Winchester Star local newspaper in Winchester, Va and also hosts his own basketball podcast. His focus is on growing his career in all aspects, from analytics to…
“Media Diet”
My sports media consumption “diet” has shifted from a structured, appointment-viewing routine to a fast-paced, social-first experience. Today, my primary intake consists of real-time updates and “snackable” content delivered directly through Instagram and Facebook. Rather than seeking out traditional news outlets or sitting through long-form sports broadcasts, I follow major leagues and my favorite teams…
Bio
Hello readers! My name is Christa Kerns and I am currently finishing my Master’s in Sport Management. I’m enrolled in my final course now, which is sport communication. I have grown up playing sports most of my life, including gymnastics, volleyball, swimming and basketball. I stuck mostly with volleyball throughout high school and into college,…