Tatyana Ross
Editor-in-Chief
Tiffany Greene, the first African-American woman play-by play commentator on ESPN, spoke to students in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies about setting goals and sticking with them On Sept. 16.
Greene said that it was an honor speaking to one of the few HBCU’s in the country with a Sports Media Program. Inspired by Pam Oliver during her matriculation at Florida A&M University, Greene said she made a commitment to herself to speak to students on every HBCU campus she visits this year to share her journey and tips for success in reaching career goals in a presentation titled, “Define Your Grind”.
Greene said that her broadcasting dreams were also heavily influenced by her father, Dayle Greene, the first African-American reporter and anchor in Tampa, Fla.
“I didn’t get a chance to see him on tv, but I knew that footprint and groundwork was laid for me,” Greene said. “This was a lifelong dream of mine. I wanted to be a sportscaster, wrote it down in my kindergarten yearbook. So, my hope is to stand before you and inspire you as well.”
However, this did not make Greene’s career any easier. Greene said that she was humbled after graduating from FAMU and not landing a role at a tv station.
Greene’s first step of Define Your Grind was to speak it into existence. She never had any doubts about the career she wanted. Greene said when her grandparents presented her with a Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s football helmet as a Christmas gift when she was a young child, it was the best Christmas present her grandparents could have ever given her.
“Usually when you say something to see it follow through doesn’t always happen,” Greene said. “But I maintained a focus throughout that said I want to be a sportscaster.”
After speaking it, Greene said the next step is to write it down and make plans. Greene wanted to reiterate to students that success does not come overnight. She said she could not count the countless number of hours put into building her career by taking advantage of any given position.
Greene first start in her career was a part-time Production Assistant at a startup station called WB38. She had the job of the floor director, the audio operator, the editor, and she made herself available to cover even the most unwanted tasks.
“I raised my had to say, ‘hey I’m willing to go out on Friday nights and shoot high school football’,” Greene said. “I’m willing to take that that press release off the printer, and I’ll make sure that I go out and shoot it.”
She added, “I’ll write the story for your anchor and I’ll voice it for myself and use it for my resume reel,” she said.
Greene said the next step in her success was building her relationships relentlessly. She said as her career progressed; she realized how busy the industry is and encouraged students not to be afraid of following up in contact.
“When you get to this phase of life, all of our relationships really really matter. With your friends or with your classmates, you just don’t know where you’re going to end up,” Greene said.
She said it is nearly impossible to stay in contact with everyone even if business cards are exchanged.
“My journey to this point at life has been because of my relationships. And just like I attacked being an athlete. Just like I attacked wanting to be a journalist. I attacked my relationships the same way,” Greene said. “You never want to burn bridges, but you also try to treat people with kindness.”
Greene said using these key techniques ultimately led her to walk in greatness. She believes with consistency, practice, and time each and every student will walk in their own greatness.
Miriam Howard, a junior journalism and media studies major from Clarkdale, Miss., said that she appreciated Greene’s reminder that she did not make it to her goal overnight. Howard said that knowing Greene went through a 10-year gap working to achieve her goals showed that time and persistence is key.
”I feel like that encourages me to keep going even though I might not be where I want to be right now,” Howard said. “You can’t get anywhere in life if you don’t try hard enough for it.”
Trinity Jones, a junior journalism and media studies major from Clinton, Miss., was inspired by Greene because she resonates with her key aspects of choosing a path and staying with it.
“She remained true to her faith in God because that’s something that I do in my life, you know throughout all my troubles especially within college,” Jones said. “I like to manifest and write my goals and what I have in store for my life, and how I plan to get there.”
Dara Tuggle, a senior journalism and media studies major and JSU Tiger Report Sports Reporter, said that keeping the faith has been important to her journey also and she now realizes the importance of making connections and being persistent with meeting people in the field.
”It’s really easy to get discouraged in this field just keep your faith, keep praying, and you’ll get where you want to go,” Tuggle said.
Greene understands that sometimes it may be hard for some people to put themselves out there and that is okay, but she said the only way to get over it is to do it.
Greene shared methods she uses with her sons during nervous moments are taking deep breaths or counting backwards from 10. She also said music has been therapeutic in moments of distress.
“I know that when I would get nervous before going on television, I would rub my ears,” Greene said. “I would sing a song in my head and get a little bop going so that I could feel more comfortable.”
Greene said she challenges students to you take advantage of internships and other opportunities.
“You have to be willing to challenge yourself and so putting yourself in uncomfortable positions only helps you to grow,” Greene said.
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