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Matt Baker on Muck Rack

Matt Baker

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As seen in: The Athletic, Apple Podcasts, LinkedIn, MSN, The New York Times, Yahoo Entertainment, BBC, Daily Mail, Nature, The Daily Mirror, Yahoo News and
Covers:  College football
National college sports reporter at The Athletic. Indiana native. Northwestern grad. Florida resident. Tampa Bay Times alum. mbaker@theathletic.com

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Matt Baker’s Biography

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I cover national college football at The Athletic.

Matt Baker’s Journalist Portfolio

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Faith and football a controversial pairing

Faith and football a controversial pairing

What's the role of prayer in high school football? What should it be?

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Varsity Blues: Tight budgets, skimpy stipends plague area high school programs

Varsity Blues: Tight budgets, skimpy stipends plague area high school programs

The first part of our five-part series on the biggest issues facing high school sports. I had an active role …

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Wharton LB remains in coma, family questions circumstances

Wharton LB remains in coma, family questions circumstances

Wharton High School linebacker Sean McNamee hit his head before football practice and needed emergency surger…

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Land O'Lakes runner Steven Barnabei back in stride after cancer

Land O'Lakes runner Steven Barnabei back in stride after cancer

LAND O'LAKES - The cancer pressing Steven Barnabei's brain couldn't wait.

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Star search: Which areas produce the most college football players?

Star search: Which areas produce the most college football players?

An in-depth analysis of what metro areas produce the most college football recruits, overall and relative to …

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On the verge of a dream

On the verge of a dream

I spent a few days with two high school seniors, the week before they became top-10 MLB Draft picks and futur…

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Articles

Lions Sign DB/KR Lawrence Woods III

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By Matt Baker Verified
| CFL Verified
The BC Lions announced today the signing of American defensive back/return specialist Lawrence Woods III. Woods (5’9, 180 lbs)- the St. Louis, Missouri native suited up in 31 games across a pair of stints with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2022, 2023-24) and returned 86 kickoffs for 1,874 yards and one touchdown, while adding 1,345 yards and a major on 108 punt returns. Woods also added 28 defensive tackles and 14 special teams stops.
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Nathan Rourke Collects CFL Player Of The Week

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By Matt Baker Verified
| CFL Verified
Nathan Rourke was recognized for another outstanding performance, earning a CFL Player of the Week nod on Tuesday. Rourke completed 22/28 passes (79.0 percent) for 355 yards and a pair of touchdown strikes in Sunday’s 30-16 win over Saskatchewan, while recording an efficiency rating of 129.3. Number 12 also had two completions of over 30 yards, including a highlight-reel 58-yard grab by Stanley Berryhill to set up a Zander Horvath touchdown run.
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Bakes’ Game Takes | BC 30 SSK 16

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By Matt Baker Verified
| CFL Verified
VANCOUVER– The BC Lions have officially played themselves into contention in the Wild West. Their latest win could go down as their most impressive to date. On Sunday, the home side built an early lead on the strength of a couple of takeaways and a Nathan Rourke touchdown strike to Jevon Cottoy, and then pulled away in the second half en route to a 30-16 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in front of 30,083 fans at Save-On-Foods Field at BC Place.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

I started as part-time intern at my hometown newspaper, The Republic, in Columbus, Ind. after my freshman year of college.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

A what?

How is social media changing news?

Less time to think and write. Greater premium on breaking news and being witty and interacting with readers.

Awards

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Best American Sports Writing

2012 - Notable writing

Associated Press Sports Editors

2010 - Project reporting

Fifth place

Best American Sports Writing

2010 - Notable writing

Hearst Journalism Award

2008 - National Championships

Third place

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Associated Press Sports Editors

2007 - Project reporting

Honorable mention