7 minute read
HUSTLE on the Sidelines
Mackenzie Mitchell ’22 shared her experience as part of the FOX Sports production team, working on the sidelines with some of the biggest names in sports broadcasting for the NFC Championship and Super Bowl LIX.
As Mackenzie Mitchell stood at Lincoln Financial Field watching the celebration around the 2024 NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles, the confetti falling caught her attention. The small, colorful pieces caused her to pause and think about how she got there, realizing the moment wasn’t just for her, it was for everyone who helped her get to this unbelievable place in her career.
Mitchell got her start with FOX Sports as a sophomore communication journalism major at Ship. In 2019 she shadowed, then lead director of photography, Skip Clark, for a game between NFL rivals Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. It was an opportunity that not only gave her a glimpse into the world of sideline sports coverage but set in motion valuable opportunities.
“From there, I networked and formed genuine relationships with the right people,” said Mitchell.
She would spend the next three years at Shippensburg University expanding her network and capitalizing on every opportunity she was offered.
“I am where I am because of the village I formed at Ship,” said Mitchell.
As a member of the SU Women’s Soccer team, Mitchell learned the value of teamwork, resilience, time management, and staying calm under pressure.
“I ended my collegiate soccer career as a better person than when I started. This is something Coach Rob Fulton said would happen to me when I first got recruited to go to Ship. Those four years of development were crucial to who I am. I bring characteristics necessary of being a collegiate athlete with me in everything that I do,” she said.
I networked and formed genuine relationships with the right people. I am where I am because of the village I formed at Ship.
Beyond the soccer field, Mitchell was a member of several clubs, including SUTV, which she credits of giving her a lot of confidence to pursue a career in the sports broadcast industry.
Working in the studio, as a sideline reporter, sports anchor, and sports director with SUTV helped prepare her for numerous internships, on and off campus. She worked in the university’s Office of Communications and Marketing, filmed and photographed the SU Football team, and supported the Sports Information crew entering stats, operating cameras, and commentating during broadcasts.
During this time, she also interned as a content curator for Rem and Company and started her own online apparel company called Kenz Creations.
“I am a hustler. It makes me who I am! People like control and my effort is something I can control. I will never let anyone outwork me, I can promise you that,” she said.
After graduation, Mitchell landed at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana pursuing a Master of Science in sports administration and sport coaching in the School of Professional Advancement.
In New Orleans, she found herself once again presented with the opportunity to work with FOX Sports, this time assisting with coverage of the New Orleans Saints’ games. Her first game in the Superdome was when she met and first worked directly with award-winning sportscaster Erin Andrews.
Assisting Andrews throughout the day, Mitchell impressed the sportscaster so much, the door to more opportunities quickly opened.
More NFL games and interviews followed and suddenly Mitchell found herself as a regular with FOX Sports. After graduating from Tulane, she returned home to the Philadelphia area.
Still hustling, she started her own photography business and landed a fulltime position with Victus Sports as a content creator and social media specialist. She continued her work with FOX Sports, but now at Lincoln Financial Field for home Eagles games, including the NFC Championship game.
The Big Game
Her day started at 4:45am with crew call and a long list of pregame tasks, including retrieving the on-air talent and getting them settled at the production truck and green room. From there, she was a game day assistant to the talent. This talent included big names like Tom Rinaldi, Erin Andrews, and seven-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady.
“I am always in an arm’s reach of the talent simply to help them with anything that they need. I make sure people don’t walk in front of them or the camera when they’re doing their pregame hit, hold their notecards, pens and notebooks, and I observe players in warmups in case they miss anything and to learn from them,” she explained.
For game time she was assigned to the Commanders sideline with Tom Rinaldi.
“I had an IFB earpiece so I could listen to what the talent are saying. It is super insightful to hear the things they say in the booth as well as the other sideline reporters,” she said.
She managed any wardrobe issues, equipment, and any unexpected needs that came her way. Beyond this, on the sidelines it was her job to be focused and aware of everything that was happening around her. From hearing sideline conversations between players, observing player body green room, booth, etc. need to be broken down as fast and efficiently as possible so it can get onto the truck. Once the trucks are packed, they’re off to the next game destination to begin the next set-up in a different city,” she said.
With the confetti still tucked in her pocket, she headed home to catch some sleep before heading back to her full-time job in the morning. Never slowing down on her hustle mentality, she was also preparing for yet another exciting opportunity with FOX Sports, Super Bowl LIX.
“I got a message confirming that I got the gig and ended it by saying, ‘You came highly recommended by Erin Andrews.’ It was a huge honor to have been recommended for a job by the person in the industry I looked up to most and is the reason why I went into the industry in the first place,” said Mitchell.
A whirlwind nine days of Super Bowl events, production preparation, and of course, the big game itself, followed. The language and potential injuries, she reported what she observed back to the talent.
“Everyone is watching the field, but some of the best talking points come about when you take your eye off of the ball,” she said.
At halftime of the game, she was caught off guard, but excited when Tom Brady asked her what three questions she would ask Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. As the game ended she rushed the field to help track down Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts for an interview.
…some of the best talking points come about when you take your eye off of the ball.
“That’s always one of my favorite parts because you get to see the joy and humanity of what a win means to them in the NFL,” she added.
It was during this moment that she paused to reflect as the confetti swirled around her. She quietly tucked a few pieces into her pocket for later, but her work was not completed.
“It was time to strike, which is basically the clean-up process. The game is a production. Cameras, lighting, equipment, week provided her with even more unique moments to network and learn, but as an Eagles fan, the real excitement was being there for the big win.
But it should come as no surprise, that once the work wrapped, she was off to the next opportunity, Major League Baseball spring training with Victus Sports.
Despite the intense pace of her schedule, she found time to reflect on everything and everyone that got her to this moment.
Hand-written notes, with NFC Championship confetti arrived to many friends and mentors, a simple nod to the support they have offered along the way.
“This was as much their moment as is it was mine because I wouldn’t have been there without them,” she said.
At the age of 24, she’s accomplished a lot, but remains focused on appreciating each small moment, like confetti falling.
“What’s next is now. It starts, every single day, with sitting in the present moment and appreciating it for what it is,” she said.
