Q: You’re the line producer of Sports Stories with Denny Lennon. You’ve also seen the growth of women playing sports on television. And, you witnessed the many directions Sports Stories has been going.
A: Sports have always been a part of my life. I met Denny at the elementary school we both went to, St. Mark’s. Then I went to Venice High School and played basketball. I also have played volleyball, softball, and ran track. It’s actually because of Denny that I played in high school and then I played Division 1 basketball in college. That’s kind of why I wanted to be a part of this because it’s a team and teams have been a part of my life forever. It just made sense that Denny would still be sort of my coach. Sports Stories is so much more than the athlete. I love listening to their background stories and what they do outside of athletics and the things they’re doing out in the community for instance. That’s intriguing to me because most people only know the athletes and not what they do outside of that.
Q: Talk about when concept for Sports Stories was first presented to you.
A: When Denny and I left the Archer School for Girls, we wanted to get out of athletics and go into the media world. He brought this idea of Sports Stories with Denny Lennon to me and I’d never known life without Denny so it was kind of a no-brainer for me to jump in and be in the media with Sports Stories. He’s taught me so much about myself – to speak up for myself and that girls have great ideas too. He’s never treated me different or less important that the guys we work with. Denny has always encouraged me to go after what I want. I learned a lot about media and other things I’ve never known about and I’ve learned so much about the guys and girls we’ve had on the show. It’s been an exciting adventure for this last year and a half.
Q: I’ve watched the grown of professional volleyball. The sport has really grown in the last 10 or 20 years.
A: I think one of the things that is lost with Denny is his work with female volleyball players. He started the AAU and now there are 500 all-girl teams that play beach volleyball. Denny started that. He’s been so determined and advocated so strongly for women’s sports.
Q: You’ve seen the growth of women playing sports on television. It’s beyond Title IX. As you now produce shows on sports, what are some of the most fascinating things you find as an observer, a watcher, a viewer? What really hits you hard about what Sports Stories has become?
A: I think social media is a big part of why people are so intrigued with people’s lives now. From lesser known athletes to sports legends, we’re just more in their lives right now and into their lives and phones. So as that has grown, people want to know more about people’s lives beyond just seeing them play sports on TV.
Q: What do you find interesting or insightful about Denny doing the interviews? What have you noticed about Denny as host?
A: Denny Lennon is our host and what I enjoy and look up to as our host is that he really makes you feel at home – and he hits you in the heart. He knows how to make every player or team member feel like they’re special and that they belong on the show.
Women athletes have gained more respect over the last few decades. Do you think one of the assets of Sports Stories is that you have women on the show but they’re not drafted to be women on the show?
Q: I think having women on the show is showing that anyone can do anything well. Sabina Ionescu is the first person ever in the NCAA to reach 2000 points, 1000 rebounds, 1000 assists. Male or female, those are great achievements. The gap of male or female is a moot point anymore. Collaborating with Denny involves a lot of brainstorming and finding the best talent for our show. I don’t really reach out to publicists or sports information people because Denny has such a vast network of people that he knows and people come to us to suggest guest for our show. Denny has connections and ties that bring a wide range of people to Sports Stories. And they have a deeper side to them than just their sport. We need Sports Stories right now for this decade because social media is everywhere and we can see what athletes are doing and people want to get to know them better and see what they’re passionate about in life in general. Being an athlete has really prepared me for this role because it’s all about teamwork. I’ve been part of a team since I was five years old. Denny was my coach then and is still my coach as my boss. It’s taught me collaboration, taking instructions and laid the groundwork for this.
Q: Tell us a little about how through Sports Stories you’ve seen a rise in athletes from public schools vs. private/privileged athletes.
A: I think that Sports Stories has helped to level the playing field and show that everyone is the same. On the floor each player is playing with the same ball or the same hoop. It doesn’t matter where you went to school or what your socioeconomic status.
Q: Tell me a little about hoopster JuJu Watkins and what interested you in her story.
A: JuJu Watkins was recently interviewed on Sports Stories. I’d seen her play and was blown away by her athletic abilities. But when we got to sit down and interview her and learn more about her upbringing in Watts and her involvement in social justice and passion for things beyond basketball. Denny really made her feel at home and that allow us to learn about her incredible journey. There seems to be a loose connection with the people who are on our show, and I think that’s family. They all this family tie and are part of a team, but they have a deeper side to them than just their sport.
Q: In your lifetime you’ve seen the emergence of women’s basketball and in sports in general. As a woman, what is it like seeing more women broadcasters. Now women are in the broadcast booth, on the field, in management and ownership. Do you think girls and young women are more invested in knowing about sports from an early age now?
A: There are so many opportunities for women in sports now. There weren’t women I aspired to be like growing up, but now girls can see women in the booth, sideline reporters, management, owners – girls are capable of doing anything as well or better than men. It’s important that girls can look up to that now.
Q: Of all the shows you’ve been involved with, what ones really hit you hard?
A: Of course we did the big interviews like Jerry West or Burt Mandelbaum but my personal favorite was when we interviewed my dad right after the Kobe Bryant tragedy. My dad is a girl dad so I suggested it to Denny. Hearing my talk to Denny, who is also like my dad, talk about the girl dad thing was really interesting and special for me to watch that.
