June-July 2022 - THE SPORTS CONNECTION - Try, Try, and Try Again with Bethany Miller

KOAT’s Sports Anchor, Bethany Miller, is an example of a professional woman in the sports industry. I have worked with Bethany and was excited to sit down and chat about how she got to where she is today.

What is your backstory? Where did you go up?

I am originally from Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania (A super small town on the Pennsylvania/Maryland border). I’m the middle child between two brothers, so playing sports and attending their games has always been a part of my identity. I credit having those experiences as what made me fall in love with sports.

How did you become a sports reporter?

A chance encounter with Erin Andrews at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was all I needed to want to get into this industry. Her kindness and generosity towards my family meant a lot at the time and rendered my brother speechless (LOL). Growing up and seeing a woman like Erin Andrews in that position was not the norm, and I’m lucky and thankful for women like her who were essentially trailblazers in this industry. The rest is history from there – I attended the University of Alabama, saw a couple of National Championships, and kickstarted my career while still in school.

Take us through a week of being a sports reporter?

Anyone familiar with this industry knows there isn’t a “normal” week. The days and weeks fluctuate depending on how many games are here in Albuquerque (think Isotopes, NM United, UNM, etc.), and I schedule my days around those important games or events. I always try to have local stories throughout the week - Cristian Nava getting his first pro start for United was big news this past week, also Lobo golfers qualifying for NCAAs. The job is about finding those stories, getting everything you need to cover it (video, interviews), and airing it for our viewers to see.

What is your advice to other women trying to pursue a career in sports media?

Try, try and try again. As I mentioned earlier, I am so grateful for women already in this industry who have made seeing them on TV or on the sidelines "normal." Some people will underestimate you because you are a woman or think you do not know what you are doing. Ignore those people, trust yourself to do the job you're qualified to do and prove everyone wrong.

If you could go back five years, what advice would you give your younger self?

Enjoy the little moments. Doing this job – you get caught up in the moment or the big stories you’re assigned to cover. You’re racing to make a deadline or running around trying to get your interviews or video before time runs out. While that’s not always the case, I wish for some of the biggest stories I covered (Indy 500, 2018 National Championship, etc.) I would have taken the time to sit back, look around and take it all in. Doing what I do for a living is an absolute privilege, and not everybody gets the experiences I do regularly. Watch the confetti fall, allow yourself a moment to feel the energy in the air, and never take one second for granted.

AMarie Castillo, a.k.a Part Time Bro is a Sports Comedian who performs live shows and content creator combining her love of sports and stand up comedy.