Students of the Journalistic Writing class had the opportunity to learn more about the news industry from Texas A&M International University’s newest addition to the Athletics Department, Michael Blake. Blake recently joined the department as a Sports Information and Promotions Specialist.
Throughout the class, Blake shared different anecdotes about his upbringing, education and work experience. Among those anecdotes, he emphasized how opportunities do not always come easily and the importance of communication. Prior to working at the university, Blake was part of the KGNS team as a Sports Director for two years. At KGNS, he learned diverse aspects of working in the news, even having the opportunity to report the weather during the absence of a co-worker.
Blake expressed that as a Sports Information and Promotions Specialist, he wants “to make sure that people know what’s going on, who are the best players, what the score was”. His vision for the athletics department website is to be “completely interactive, with lots of video”. This website would present the opportunity for athletes, family members and fans to watch highlights of the games, commercials, recruiting videos as well as coaches input.
In time, the website will include the possibility of presenting website goers with live streams of games played in the Kinesiology Convocation Building. As for now, TAMIU Athletics has a YouTube channel where one can watch interviews and commercials for upcoming games.
Blake is also a sports contributor for The Bridge, keeping the students informed of the latest sporting events.
For more information about the TAMIU Athletics Department, please visit www.godustdevils.com, and for TAMIU Athletics YouTube channel please visit http://www.youtube.com/user/TAMIUAthletics.
(Nidia Yanez may be reached at nidiayanez@dusty.tamiu.edu).