University of Memphis student Nhung Hurst is one of sixfinalists in the Sports Reporter for a Day contest sponsored byNews Channel 3.
Hurst, a second-year Cecil C. Humphreys Law School student,entered the contest after seeing it advertised on New Channel 3. Ifchosen, Hurst will cover the Feb. 25 Grizzlies game against theGolden State Warriors, which will air during the News Channel 3 10p.m. broadcast.
Entering the contest was a last minute decision, Hurst said. Itwas a chance to do something out of the ordinary.
"I love sports, especially basketball, and I have previouslyworked for the Memphis Literacy Council, where I saw the Grizzliesparticipate, and I was thoroughly impressed," said Hurst, a memberof the Sports and Entertainment Law Association. "This is my chanceto tell them thanks for all of the effort they put into thecommunity."
The contest was created from an idea Glenn Carver, Channel 3sports director had, said station representatives. The contest isintended to give the winner a taste of what it is like to be asports broadcaster.
Hurst e-mailed the station and gave them the reasons she wantedto broadcast for the Grizzlies.
"I told them I would not waste my 500 words describing my lovefor the game because that was a given, but I wanted to tell themwhy I respect the Grizzlies so much," Hurst said. "I am amazed atthe community participation put forth by these athletes, especiallythat of Shane Battier and Pau Gasol."
The contest finalists were chosen based on their online answers,which was the only determining factor. Officials were not sure ofhow many entries there were or how many U of M students entered thecontest.
The Channel 3 representatives were generally impressed with whatHurst wrote, she said. She was informed Feb. 15 that she was amongthe six finalists who would have to go through a second audition atThe Pyramid. The finalists taped a 20-second clip Feb. 16, tellingviewers why they should vote for them.
"I felt good about what I wrote and really didn't think twiceabout it again. But once chosen, I was elated," Hurst said."Actually, I am pretty much on a high right now. This whole thingis just amazing."
Hurst's audition tape can be viewed on the station's Web site atwww.wreg.com.
"I never really wanted to be on camera or in the public eye, butthis is one of those opportunities that come once in a lifetime,"Hurst said.
However, The U of M student said she does plan to win and coulduse as much support from U of M students as possible.
There has been a lot of online voter traffic, said stationrepresentatives. Hurst said she hopes U of M students will also logon and vote for her before the Feb. 22 deadline.
"Students should vote for me because I think what I saidrepresented what U of M students look to in our athletes, who areour role models," Hurst said. "These players do not fit into thestereotypes put on athletes. They are here purely for the love ofthe game, and they use there influence for the good of ourcommunity."
Although she said she would love to win, losing wouldn't be theend of the world, Hurst said.
"I let them know how I felt through my letter and on my auditionclip, so I feel like I have done what I set out to do," Hurstsaid.
The winner of the contest will receive a press pass and willwatch the game on "press row" with other local media sportsreporters. In addition to interviewing players in the locker room,the winner will prepare a segment for the news broadcast.
