I like to tell stories, mainly about sports.
I'm just a former athlete trying to turn my lifelong obsession for sports into a profession.
Currently, I'm a graduate assistant and student in the Sports Capital Journalism Program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. I'm also a sports clerk for the Indianapolis Star, social media correspondent for the Outland Trophy and Football Writers Association of America and freelance for a number of Indiana publications – mainly The Herald Bulletin in Anderson – in my free time.
Safe to say, I like to stay busy. This point was exemplified by a colleague of mine, who commented on my Twitter feed: "Do you ever sleep?"
To his credit, I was covering my second football game that Saturday after being up until 1 a.m. the previous night also covering high school football.
Prior to my arrival at IUPUI, I was a sports reporter for The Daily News, Ball State's national award-winning student publication. During my time there, I served as the editor-in-chief, managing editor and sports editor. While I enjoy the editorial side immensely – and there's no better thrill than beating a print deadline – there's nothing I love more than covering sports.
That's because I love talking to athletes, writing their stories – the ones you wouldn't know by simply watching the game.
While I consider writing my forte, that isn't all I can do.
Outside of my writing, I've created and co-hosted two sports podcasts, shot and edited highlights and interviews for live TV and have supplemented stories with photo galleries more than a few times. Every day I challenge myself to find new ways to tell stories by changing the medium used or the form told.
My reporting career has sent me across the country and overseas, working as a media professional writing and reporting at different Olympic media events, covering the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, reporting at MLB Spring Training and attending the NFL Combine.
I've taught myself to read and write code, articulate analytic reports, run numerous social media accounts while working as a sports anchor and videographer and helping create a publication focusing on stories of people suffering from depression.
No matter what I experience, though, my love draws me back to one thing – covering sports.
But not just games. I'm a firm believer that people will always read great stories, so it's my job to provide that. Whether that's sitting in the home of a Division l basketball player, who's also a father, telling the story of Muhammad Ali's legacy through a local lens or discussing the struggles of being a Mid-major college football program.
On any given day, I can churn out a detailed written story, produce and edit a podcast and travel to a local high school to get a news package on a television show later that night. And of course, for the time being, go to class.
Growing up the son of a coach and spending 15 years competing in athletics is to blame for my attention to detail and tenacity when facing a challenge. My exhaustive personality? Well, nothing can wear you out more than two-a-days.
I love meeting new people, if you want to know more about me, email me at robbygeneraljr@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter.