From the Classroom to Production Truck – Maggie Mitchell Finding Her Way as an Intern for CBS Sports

Mitchell in the Broadcast Booth at Kyle Field at Texas A&M

Ole Miss senior Maggie Mitchell knows her goal of becoming a sideline reporter is a long-way away, but she is doing everything she can to make her dream a reality. Already ahead of the curve, Mitchell has been working as an intern for the SEC on CBS this fall, and learning what it takes to make it in the highly competitive field of sports journalism.

An Oxford native, Mitchell grew up with a love and passion for sports stemming from her memories of attending sporting events of all kinds with her Dad. Mitchell enjoyed completion and played soccer and volleyball as a child, but her desire to become a sideline reporter didn’t occur until a conversation she had with a friend and fellow Ole Miss Rebel back in high school.

“He told me that I should be a sideline reporter and I realized how perfect that would be for me. After that, I really started watching Erin Andrews, Sam Ponder, and Allie LaForce and I have to give Sudu [Upadhyay] credit for giving me the idea,” says Mitchell.

While working in New York City as an intern for Madison Square Garden, Mitchell tracked down a member of the CBS College Football crew and offered to help in any way she could. After getting the chance to intern during the Alabama/Ole Miss game, the opportunity turned into a season-long internship. Traveling with the CBS crew to the SEC game of the week, Mitchell is thankful for her opportunity and is embracing the fact she has been trusted with responsibilities that are vital to the broadcast every Saturday.

“You feel like you’re part of the team, and that you have a hand in making this broadcast happen. I’ve gotten to do things that are so hands-on in the production of the game, and I feel like other internships aren’t as hands on, and I don’t think you’re in the action as much. Mitchell said, “In this internship, you’re in control, and it’s fun.”

Aside from learning to operate the CBS golf cart, Mitchell has gained valuable experience that can’t be learned in the classroom.

“When I was in the production truck, seeing all of the elements that make a seamless broadcast really happen was very interesting,” Mitchell said “Learning how the sideline reporters communicate with the director, and the truck communicating with head officials was great. I had the chance to learn how to communicate with everyone through the headsets, which I had never had the chance to do before this internship.”

While Mitchell calls Oxford and Ole Miss home, she has been able to travel around the SEC and finds that each campus has something that makes it unique.

“I grew up in the SEC, and this internship has furthered the love that I have for southern college sports. Every campus I go to has these different cultures to go along with them,” Mitchell said. “All of these stadiums have a different kind of vintage feel to them, and it’s like you’re going back in time when you’re in some of these places. Also, each campus has its own fans and traditions that you may not realize when you only focus on one school, and seeing that has given me an appreciation for all of these places.”

Pre-game at Bryant-Denny Stadium at Alabama

Mitchell wants to let others know that an internship like hers isn’t hard to get if you’re willing to put in the work, and not be afraid to fail.

“Ole Miss does a really good job because they have so many opportunities, but it’s up to the student to figure out exactly what they want to do with their life and say if I want to go into sports, then I have to figure out what department I need to work with.” Mitchell said, “A lot of people may be afraid to email someone, but you’d be surprised who you’ll get an answer back from.”

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com.

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