Stories From the Field

The final moments of a national championship college football game bring a high level of excitement and emotion. In an Atlanta stadium last January, the roaring sound of 70,000 cheering fans reached a fever pitch as the buzzer sounded, confetti floating down over the field as the winning team and coaches ran to hoist their trophy in the air. Among the fans, the team, and the fervor on the field, a young sports journalist was in the midst of it all. A lanyard holding press credentials tucked under her honey hued hair, notebook in hand, Mia Fishman took in the scene while adding finishing touches to her two stories about to be published by USA Today.

How did a mountain town kid, born and raised in Jackson, end up here?

Mia grew up enjoying the small town familiarity and scenic backdrop of the mountains, but had curiosity about what unexpected adventures might exist beyond the Tetons.

“Being from Jackson, I was exposed to so much cool stuff growing up, but it’s also interesting to see the world from a different perspective.”

Mia and her father spent weekends of her youth relaxing and watching football. Her interest in the game grew, as her interest in another passion, writing, was also growing. “My mom was always a great writer —I definitely got my love of writing from her,” Mia says. One day it clicked for the then 14-year old that she could combine the two. She applied on a whim to be a Kid Reporter for Sports Illustrated, and was chosen for the role.

One of her articles for the magazine involved interviewing Amy Trask, the first female CEO of an NFL team. “She is amazing.” Mia says, “She told me, you have to pursue your goals and dreams with every fiber of your being. And I have!”

During high school, Mia built on her knowledge and skills by managing the football team, and writing for the Jackson Hole News & Guide. When it came time for college, Mia was the one and only graduate from Jackson Hole High School heading to the University of Georgia. She recently wrapped up her Junior year, studying Journalism, Sports Management, and Sports Media.

Being 2,000 miles from home, at a school where she knew no one, “was such a daunting experience, I was a nervous wreck at first,” Mia remembers, “but now, even though it’s a big school with 40,000 undergraduates, it feels like there are friends around every corner.” 

Mia has been building community in addition to professional achievements. “The programs and professors I have been involved with, the environment at Georgia really pushes me to  develop who I am as a writer — and as a person.” Mia has been constantly learning and improving her skills in the fast-paced world of sports journalism, where details and deadlines loom large. She gravitates towards stories sharing an inside look, like those she wrote for the national championship about the head coaches in the Ohio State, Notre Dame matchup.

In addition to classes and writing about sporting events for the student newspaper, Mia spends Friday evenings covering high school football for the Gwinnett Daily Post, near her college town of Athens, Georgia. Small town football evenings remind her of high school days, and a favorite quote shared with her by coach David Joyce. George Mallory, the mountaineer who famously responded that he wanted to climb Mount Everest “Because it’s there.” The quote resonates with Mia, “If I have an opportunity, if something is there in front of me – why not do it? And have fun while doing it as well.” 

When her adventures lead homeward, Mia cherishes her time in the Tetons. She writes for the News & Guide when home: “The sports editor also coaches my brothers hockey team, so I see him there too.” She always enjoys the close-knit community, seeing familiar faces, and especially time with her family. “My parents, my step-mom, and my siblings are always my support system, and I just love seeing them.” 

Her hometown of Jackson will always be a constant for Mia, though some things may be different in her life: “It snowed last winter at school, an inch, and our classes were cancelled!” But she will always be creating new amazing experiences and opportunities. Who knows what unexpected adventures this trailblazer will find next? No matter what it may be, we know she’ll have quite the story to tell.