Hunter Mitchell
(He/Him)
Covers:
Sports game recaps, previews, breaking news, news and commentaries.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Covering whatever and whoever needed to be covered. My first few articles were over cross country and swim
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I have, actually. With this experience I know I could never have been a journalist in the past, as I wear out my backspace key enough as it .
How is social media changing news?
It changes how you get views. Now, stories can go viral and gain traction they never would have gotten without it.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Cotton McKnight and Pepper Brooks.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a journalist is to be the most important non-fiction writer out there. Set a scene, give facts, yes, but tell a story.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I unfortunately cannot recall a time I ever paid attention to a hashtag. A catchy headline is more likely to stick with me.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email or phone works, but I tend to check my phone more often.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Laptop, mainly. To edit my podcast, the Home Turf Podcast, I use Adobe Audition.
What's your favorite social network?
I use X (Twitter) far more than I'd like to admit.
Who do you wish followed you?
Jon Rothstein. We sleep in May.
Why did you become a journalist?
I have always had a passion for writing and sports, and when I found I could combine both passions, it was a no-brainer for me.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I did not. My journalism career began in college.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My feature I did on Wade Taylor IV and his relationship with his family.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write, read and repeat. You don't get better until you practice, and make sure you read other peoples' work. You will find great practices.
When's the best time to pitch you?
anytime from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Doing a feature on Texas A
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Cover a high-school lacrosse match (I have never watched a second of lacrosse in my life, unfortunately.)
What's your favorite drink?
I love a cold root beer.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Either at a game, in the office or hanging out with friends. When I'm not out, I love being at home with my partner, Ana, and our two dogs.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Athletic.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Sports is just numbers and plays. There are always stories within stories, so finding those is the most rewarding part of sports coverage.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.