Most recognizable to journalism students who walk past the televisions in Carroll Hall, Kate Eastman is a sophomore standout on UNC’s Sports Extra. She is also this week’s Campus Celeb! Though the bulk of her work is done behind the scenes, Eastman landed the anchor spot earlier this semester and is now recognizably associated with the show. Following a last minute decision to audition, and after overcoming initial stage fright, Eastman’s time on Sports Xtra has been rewarding and exciting.
HerCampus: Did you ever think when you came to UNC that you would be the face of one of their premier news shows?
Kate Eastman: I never thought that I would get into broadcast because I had loved the print component of journalism in high school. I only joined Sports Xtra because I knew that I loved sports and the broadcast aspect was only a career afterthought.
HC: Do you ever have random people recognize you around campus?
KE: No, thankfully, but I have had many friends/classmates ask me about the show because they will have seen me on the continuous roll on the J school TVs or will have randomly happened upon the show when it airs on Monday nights. I really hope no one ever randomly recognizes me. Sometimes my friends will intentionally watch the show and make fun of me.HC: What was the process like of getting to the anchor spot?
KC: The anchor role was extremely circumstantial. I had never read from a teleprompter before. I like to give myself mini-challenges because I’m extremely competitive so I just told myself to go for it. I sat down in a friend’s borrowed blazer and read a three minute segment and called it a day. I think I just got lucky because I smiled a lot on camera. HC: Has it changed the way you perceive the industry?
KE: YES. I knew nothing about sports broadcasting except from what I had seen on ESPN and Anchorman. Anchors are not just puppets that read from the teleprompters…you must also be a reporter and willing to really dig into a story. Technology dictates so much of what you report on and that’s hard because I’ve had to completely scrap really cool stories because I forgot to press record or my battery ran out due to a poor reaction with cold weather. However, you can get a lot more creative with broadcast than print.
HC: When you someday make into the big leagues, is there anyone you would specifically wish to interview/grill?
KE: I’ve grown up playing soccer and have always been obsessed with both UNC women’s soccer dynasty and women’s national teams. I’ve already been lucky enough to interview Anson Dorrance (an absolute dream come true) but I would love to interview Mia Hamm…even though she’s retired.
HC: Have you practiced your autograph signature?/can we have your autograph?
KE: (Laughs loudly.) No, I definitely have not practiced it. I think if someone were to ever ask me for it I would be so awkward about it.
HC: Is there a specific sportscaster that you admire and aspire to be?
KE: Everyone always asks me if I want to be the next Erin Andrews…no, just because I am a female in the sports industry does not mean that aspire to be just like her. I love Stuart Scott! He is so personable and likeable and still values UNC as his alma mater!. He works his butt off, and is also battling cancer behind the scenes. His fellow sportscasters say that he is always on set with a smile and I would rather be known for that then for being an Erin Andrews typecast.
UNC’s Sports Xtra airs live, Monday at 5pm, and all episodes can be found on their website. Watch Kate and her fellow anchors here!