Temple University students recently had the opportunity to hear from two legends of sports journalism—Tim Kurkjian and Claire Smith—during a special conversation at the Klein College Sports Media Summit.
Kurkjian, known for his storytelling and decades of Major League Baseball coverage, shared how he learned he would receive the BBWAA Career Excellence Award, an honor presented at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. In classic Kurkjian fashion, the moment came not in a stadium or press box—but while standing in line at a grocery store holding a rotisserie chicken.
Throughout the conversation, Kurkjian and Smith reflected on the journey of a sports journalist—from the thrill of covering World Series games to the difficult moments that shape a career. Kurkjian described the importance of persistence, recalling how a high school coach once told him he hoped writing would not become his life’s work. Decades later, Kurkjian has covered every World Series since 1981 and built one of the most respected careers in sports media.
The two journalists also offered students practical advice about the profession. Kurkjian emphasized that improvement comes from repetition and commitment.
“If you want to be a good writer, you have to do it every day,” he told the audience. “Show up every day, be prepared every day, and keep asking questions.”
Both speakers stressed the importance of curiosity and human connection in reporting. While technology has transformed journalism, Kurkjian reminded students that the best stories still come from conversations.
“Once in a while you’ve got to get your head out of your phone,” he said. “Look someone in the eye and talk to them.”
The discussion also touched on the realities of competition in sports media, the ethics of building trust with athletes, and the challenges journalists face when covering difficult stories or major events.
For students aspiring to careers in sports media, the message was clear: stay curious, work relentlessly, and remember the joy of telling great stories about the games people love.
