Interview – With Dawn Mitchell

Q – #1    Dawn, please share a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up and where did you go to college?

Dawn: I grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts (Duxbury & Whitman) and went to Boston College.  I was an athlete my whole life, as well as a dancer.  I am one of five children..and yes, the only girl!

Q – #2    What did you major in, and when did you get your first start in Television?

Dawn: I majored in Communications at Boston College.  I also took graduate courses my senior year (finished my major early) in Speech Pathology through Boston College’s Lynch School of Education.  I did an internship at Boston’s WBZ in the sports department and they hired me two weeks before I graduated.  I was the assistant to the Sports Director and also did some producing.  Soon after, I worked part-time at CH 38 and NESN/ESPN/CBS Network behind the scenes before NESN put me in front of the camera.

Q – #3    Was sports your 1st assignment?

Dawn: My first on-air assignment was at NESN (New England Sports Network). I did sideline reporting covering some Providence Bruins games. Then, I was promoted to anchor “Sportsdesk” as well as Studio Host for the Boston Bruins.

Q – #4    With Minnesota having all 4 of the major sports, did that make coming to KMSP easier or a bigger draw for you?

Dawn: Before Minnesota, I was in Chicago, so any job beckoning me would HAVE to have four major sports…so yes, it made coming to KMSP more enticing.  The major draw was the chance to get into the “Fox Sports Family” and do some network sideline reporting for the Vikings.

Q – #5    Can you give an example or 2 of some of your most favorite interviews that you’ve conducted, and why did you enjoy them?

Dawn: Wow, I’ve done so many interviews…interviewing Brett Favre on national TV after he broke the touchdown record (then with the Packers here at Minnesota against the Vikings). Also, right up there as my favorite interview was getting the chance to speak to Twins’ players in the locker room live for almost two hours when they captured the AL Central in 2006.  I think I interviewed everyone in the clubhouse that day; we had live extended coverage and it was awesome!

Q – #6    How has Social Media changed how you report stories?

Dawn: Social media has made my job an “up-to-the-second-thing.” It is fun and addicting.  You get breaking news right to your phone, you can interact with the athletes immediately and interact with the fans.  I’m still an old school firm believer in confirming a fact yourself through at least two sources before you go with a story.  The impulse as a journalist is immediacy but above all else, you want to be accurate. Every day, I check several outlets to follow up on leads before reporting a story…Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc…the world is fast-paced for sure!

Q – #7    Besides reporting on sports, do you play any currently or did you in school?

Dawn: I have been an athlete my whole life.  I played soccer since fourth grade and a few years of little league baseball.  I was on the traveling All-Star soccer team for my town growing up every year from fourth grade through high school.  In high school, I was a three-sport athlete all four years. Four years starting line soccer, basketball and was captain of my track team. I went to college to play soccer, got hurt, and ended up playing rugby. Due to my hectic schedule at work, I currently do not play an organized sport. However, I will often go out with friends and play tennis, shoot hoops, golf, etc… but not on what I call an athletic level, unless you count my Yoga sculpt class.

Q – #8    What is your favorite: Restaurant, store, winter activity, sport, Twin Cities neighborhood and national sports reporter/broadcaster.

Dawn: There are so many great restaurants here in the Twin Cities. I love Manny’s – although (gasp) I eat red meat maybe once a year, the fish is great there. I love sushi so Origami, Crave, Raku…I love restaurants in so many different neighborhoods, too many to pick.  I love to walk my dog around the lakes and get coffee and hang out. My favorite coffee shop is Dunn Bros at 43^rd and Upton in Linden Hills.  My favorite national broadcasters are Mike Tirico, Greg Gumble, Doc Emrick, Pete Gammon and Jim Kaat from the MLB Network.

Q – #9    Who is one person that you would love to have a 30 minute one-to-one interview with, and why?

Dawn: So many to choose…maybe to get Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux and Ray Bourque in one room and talk to them about hard work and success…Also Ted Williams..(if he were alive obviously) and find out what he thinks about Joe Mauer and ask why he decided to really have his head frozen….crazy stuff.

Q – #10    As a sports reporter/anchor, has the 2010 Vikings season been one of the most interesting sports stories that you’ve ever worked on?

Dawn: This year’s Vikings season hasn’t been the most interesting, but it’s been the most frustrating.  To see talented men go through difficult times, absurd situations, it’s not fun to watch.  You are always wondering what will happen next.  Now with that said, it was never boring for sure, but it was exhausting at times.  I don’t derive enjoyment from seeing other people fail…so it will go down as the most bizarre season I’ve ever covered.

Q – #11    What is one personal or professional goal you have set for yourself for the next year?

Dawn: Each year, I always strive to be better.  My goal for next year is to bring the stories people at home want to hear whether it is the pro athlete or the college and high school player doing well to some curiously fun and quirky stories.  I also enjoy doing radio shows and I hope to continue doing that.  I would like to become more savvy when it comes to social media. It’s been a fun learning curve and it’s a fabulous way to stay connected.  Fox 9 is interested in social media and is currently doing its own survey, so I definitely plan to do more of that.

Q – #12    What piece of advice would you give to others looking to get into your line of work?

Dawn: Don’t listen to others who tell you can’t do something.  Be realistic. I always say follow your heart and do the hard work and you’ll never regret it.