Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/599850
BY MIKE SCANDURA S OMETIME AFTER VIRGINIA third- year forward Sydney Umeri has scored her last basket or snared her last rebound for the Cavaliers, don't be surprised if you see her in front of a camera on ESPN. Or in back of a camera. Or writing a script. "She's trying to find her niche and how to brand herself, not only in broadcasting but also writing," UVA head coach Joanne Boyle said. "She's will- ing to do the work and find out what other aspects of journalism where she can get involved. "She's willing to put herself out there and build her résumé. The most impressive thing is she's taking the bull by the horns and getting involved in different media markets. She's a great writer and has a great skill set. She can multi-task in that business." That's virtually mandatory for anybody who as- pires to a career in broadcast or print journalism, as well as social media. Ironically, the career Umeri has chosen is the equivalent of the distance between the Earth and the moon when compared with her first choice. "When I initially matriculated at Virginia, I thought I would be pre-med," said Umeri, who last summer worked as an intern at ESPN's "Around the Horn" television show. "After my first year taking chemistry, I realized this wasn't where my heart was. "I loved watching College GameDay and foot- ball. I have a mutual connection with [Georgia alumnus] Maria Taylor. After a conversation with her, I realized I liked broadcasting. Media studies gives you a great background." Since Umeri plays basketball, she was fortunate last season to get an up close and personal look at College GameDay when the Virginia men's team hosted Duke on Jan. 31, 2015. "When UVA had College GameDay, I saw Jay Williams, who played for Duke," Umeri said. "I always liked his style of broadcasting. I did some research and learned how much work broadcast- ing is. I love to follow him. "I like Sage Steele on ESPN. She's another person to look up to. She paved the way for a lot of people and covers the game very well." Umeri also served another internship last year, one which involved writing — in this case with a website named CollegeFashionista, which en- tailed writing a blog "SydneySundays." "I wrote a blog every two weeks in the fall se- mester of my sophomore year," she said. "I would go on the Grounds and take pictures of somebody who was fashionable. "I wrote a post and centered it on their outfit." Of course, none of this might have happened if Boyle had passed on recruiting Umeri. She played for The Lovett School in Atlanta, where she led the team to the 2012 Georgia Region 6AA championship. "The whole package has to fit Virginia, both GO-GETTER Sydney Umeri Does What It Takes To Be Successful On And Off The Court