The Crimson White sports editor, Marquavius Burnett is a highly respected sports writer in Tuscaloosa. But, you just may be surprised, as I was, to find out his favorite sport was not always college football.
HCA: How did you get where you are today?
MB: I started as a contributing sports writer for The Crimson White a few years ago and just worked my way up. I volunteered for stories and pretty much took any assignment the sports editor gave me. My first beat was on the women’s tennis team. I was pretty nervous and actually missed the first interview session I had set up with the team. I rescheduled and got everything worked out, but it’s a great story and memory. After that, I was promoted to a paid sports reporter spot and did that for a year. I covered men’s basketball and some football. In 2011, I was promoted to assistant sports editor before being promoted to sports editor in February 2012 after the sports editor before me stepped down. I returned for my senior year and was selected as sports editor again.
HCA: What is the most rewarding part in your job?
MB: The most rewarding part of my job is being able to help young writers grow and develop their voice. I still write as sports editor, but a big part of my position is making sure my staff is put in a position to be successful.
HCA: What is the hardest part about your job?
MB: The hardest part of my job is getting people on the sports desk to take it as seriously as I do. I want to be a sports reporter/analyst/anchor for a living so I have a lot of incentive to work hard and put out a good product, but some students want to write sports because they think it’s just a fun thing to do and they don’t always take it serious.
HCA: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
MB: want to be in a position where I’m bringing readers quality work and climbing the ladder toward being a national college football reporter.
HCA: Are you involved with anything else on campus other than The Crimson White?
MB: I’m not involved in much else on campus because the CW takes up a good bit of my time with covering events and writing. I do intern with The Tuscaloosa News though.
HCA: Who is your favorite Alabama football player of all time?
MB: Growing up, I wasn’t a college football fan. I’ve always been a basketball fan so I’m not your typical Alabama student that was raised an Alabama fan, so I don’t know much about the history of the team. But my recent favorite player is Trent Richardson. I feel like he always took it seriously and he committed himself to being the best running back in the country. He led the team offensively in 2011 and was a huge part of the national championship run. He was always humbled during interviews and spoke his mind when asked a question. Hopefully, he’ll go down as one of the all-time great Alabama running backs.
For up to the moment happenings, follow Marq on Twitter and check out The Crimson White sports section to view his take on Tide sports.