Pacific Index

A local sports anchor is coming to speak at Pacific

Tyree Smith is a sports anchor at KOIN 6 News in Portland. He covers local and national sports stories. Before joining KOIN, he worked in sports broadcasting, gaining experience as a sports anchor, reporter, and sports director. Smith went to Beloit College in Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in media studies with a minor in journalism. Tyree highlights high school, college, and professional athletics to the people of the Pacific Northwest. Tyree is active in social media
and part of the National Association of Black Journalists. Before joining KOIN, he covered sports at other stations like Portland’s KATU-TV.
On Tuesday, February 17, Smith will speak at a luncheon sponsored by the Future Sport Professionals, a new student club. The event starts at 11:45 am in AuCoin Hall 217.
Index: What do you enjoy most about covering sports in the Portland and PNW area? 
TS: Blazers basketball. I’ve gained a MAJOR LOVE FOR IT SINCE MOVING HERE. 
Index: Who are your biggest influences or role models in sports media? 
TS: Stuart Scott was the OG! 
Index: What challenges have you faced in the industry, and how have you overcome them?
TS: The biggest challenge I’ve faced is separating myself from others. Everyone wants to be in
sports or talk about sports for a living, so you have to separate yourself somehow 
Index: What advice would you give to students interested in sports journalism today?
TS: Get started as soon as possible. Whether it’s social media or TV stations, get an internship or
foot in the door as soon as you can. 
Index: What skills do you think are most important for young reporters to develop right
now? 
TS: Personality. It’s all about getting eyes to watch you nowadays so you want to be the most
likeable person possible.