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, Irish Daily Mail, Nature, The Daily Mirror 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 Journalist Portfolio

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Faith and football a controversial pairing

Faith and football a controversial pairing

Tampa Bay Times — 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

Tampa Bay Times — The first part of our five-part series on the biggest issues facing high school sports. I had an active role in every story, but this piece was my biggest focus.
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Wharton LB remains in coma, family questions circumstances

Wharton LB remains in coma, family questions circumstances

Tampa Bay Times — Wharton High School linebacker Sean McNamee hit his head before football practice and needed emergency surgery to save his life. His family granted me the first interview.
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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

Tampa Bay Times — 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?

Tulsa World — An in-depth analysis of what metro areas produce the most college football recruits, overall and relative to their population. This piece earned fifth place in project reporting in the 2010 APSE contest.
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On the verge of a dream

On the verge of a dream

Tulsa World — I spent a few days with two high school seniors, the week before they became top-10 MLB Draft picks and future millionaires. Statistically speaking, one of them will fail. This story was featured in the Notable Writing section of the 2012 Best American Sports Writing series.
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Rapid recovery

Rapid recovery

Tulsa World — HIS BODY WAS cold. His eyes were blank. His right arm wouldn't stop shaking. And doctors didn't know why. This story was mentioned in the Notable Writing section of the Best American Sports Writing 2010 series.
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