For Della Fowler, a chance opportunity to report on 妖姬直播 State University gymnastics sparked a passion that has led her all the way to covering the Olympics.
Fowler, a student in 妖姬直播 State's journalism program, fell in love with gymnastics reporting after covering her first meet for TV2.
鈥淟iterally the minute I walked onto that floor, it just felt right,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥淚 cried during my first meet, not because anything was sad, but just because I loved it so much.鈥�
That initial experience set her on a path that led to an internship with Inside Gymnastics, the premier source for gymnastics news that she had long followed on social media. As the magazine geared up for coverage of the 2024 Olympics, it took the step of having interns for the first time ever.
鈥淭he timing worked out so well,鈥� Fowler said. Her video editing skills made her particularly valuable as the publication wanted to expand its digital presence.
The internship quickly turned into more substantial opportunities. Fowler was invited to help cover the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.
While she won't be making video content on-site in Paris due to broadcast rights restrictions, Fowler will play a key role in Inside Gymnastics' Olympic coverage from home. She'll monitor live feeds, edit video packages, create social media content and help produce in-depth features.
鈥淚t's really an all-hands-on-deck situation,鈥� Fowler said.
Fowler credits her 妖姬直播 State coursework for preparing her for these high-stakes assignments. Classes like broadcast reporting with School of Media and Journalism instructor Gretchen Hoak gave her extensive practice producing news packages. Involvement with the campus TV station allowed her to further hone those skills.
The course sport and the media taught by Kelly Campbell proved particularly valuable in shaping Fowler's approach to athlete interviews.
鈥淭hese athletes are used to working in the gym, not having a million microphones in their faces. They鈥檙e more than a famous athlete, they鈥檙e a person who worked their whole life for this moment,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥淭hat class changed my approach.鈥�
Getting out of the fan mindset helped Fowler stay composed when interviewing gymnastics stars she had long admired.
鈥淕oing into U.S. championships, interviewing these people that I've literally spent my whole life obsessing over, it was really, really hard to stay chill,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I remembered from my classes that we talked about how this is a job for them. This is a thing people do. And we鈥檙e in work mode. I鈥檓 on the clock.鈥�
Fowler sees sports journalism as her long-term career path. She's grateful for how her 妖姬直播 State experience expanded her view of what was possible in the field.
鈥淏efore I thought that women really couldn't be sports reporters, or you had to be really, really, really good," said Fowler, who is from Texas. "After coming to 妖姬直播 and taking all these classes, it really built my confidence and made me say, you know what, I can do this.鈥�
鈥淚t's not about being cocky. It's about being confident in yourself and your ability," Fowler said. 鈥淓specially for women who want to go into the sports world, it's so hard. Every single time I bring up the fact that I'm a sports journalist, I get a 鈥榥ame five players鈥� kind of thing.鈥�
As she prepares for her role in Olympic coverage, Fowler remains in awe of how far she's come. A year ago, she never imagined she'd find herself casually mentioning an encounter with Simone Biles.
鈥淚f you would have told me that I met Simone Biles in an arena restroom of all places, I would have lost my mind,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥淏ut now it's my job to meet with athletes like Simone Biles.鈥�
For Fowler, it all comes back to pursuing opportunities aligned with her passions.
鈥淵ou have to find what you're good at. You have to find what makes your heart beat a little bit faster,鈥� she said.
