Karonis Drops Raquet, Picks Up Mic

AMES, Iowa - Over the past three seasons Erin Karonis has built a career performing on the tennis courts. Now in her senior year, Karonis is also focusing on taking her career to the sidelines.

As a journalism and mass communication major at Iowa State, senior tennis player Erin Karonis is working towards her goal while working as an intern for the KCCI Channel 8 sports department.

"She's been going along since the day she's been here to do stories," KCCI Sports Director Andy Garman said. "She's stepped up and done some stand-ups, reports of her own, then come back and put a couple of stories together on her own at this point. She's basically getting a taste of what the business is like."

A major part of Karonis' internship is shadowing Garman and his staff to learn the ins and outs of the trade while she gains practice editing highlight reels, writing scripts, and producing video packages about local teams and events, which she plans on using for resume packages.

"I always knew I wanted to do broadcast journalism, I just didn't know what specific field I wanted to pursue and this is a real eye-opener to get work experience and learn exactly what I want to do," Karonis said. "My ultimate goal would be to do sideline reporting or sports broadcasting."

"She has (a future in sports broadcasting) if she wants it," Garman said. "If she wanted to pursue this full-time I could easily see her doing it. She's been really impressive. We've had a great time with her.

"When you bring a student-athlete into this situation, they are so used to their time being stretched so thin that they kind of get in and get down to business and get stuff done. You can tell she's on the ball."

Karonis says it's been great to have such a flexible schedule that allows her to gain experience while allowing time to train for her final season on the Cyclone tennis team.

"She doesn't talk much about tennis, but we talk to her a lot about the demands of the out-of-season athlete," Garman said. "I know she gets up early in the morning, works out, then comes down here and spends her nights with us."

Karonis plans to return to her native Ivyland, Penn., in August. When she returns to Iowa State, her focus will be in the classroom and on the court. The Cyclone tennis team will add four student-athletes to its roster this fall.

"I have met Emily Pietruszynski, and Nikki Reber," Karonis said. "We've gotten to spend a lot of time with them. They are really nice girls but I haven't played tennis with them, so I really don't know them in that aspect, but they seem to be transitioning really well."

Karonis said teammates Liza Wischer, Jenna Langhorst and Ellie Nixon have been in Ames this summer.

"I think people are really focusing on tennis a lot this summer, playing in more tournaments than in the past," Karonis said. "I think that will be really good for next season."

Players Mentioned

Erin Karonis

Erin Karonis

Jenna Langhorst

Jenna Langhorst

Ellie Nixon

Ellie Nixon

Nikki Reber

Liza Wischer

Liza Wischer

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics