Michelle Bodkin

I started my career in 2013 after graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in psychology, sociology, and criminology in just three years. I initially thought I'd go into law, but when my first job at a law firm didn't work out, I pivoted to sports. I'd always been encouraged to get into sports reporting by customers at my cashier job who loved talking games with me. I approached a local radio host and said I wanted to be the next Erin Andrews, and he let me intern for about nine months. That led to years of writing for Utezone, part of the Rivals network, though it was more of a hobby job that didn't fully pay my bills. In 2022, I got an opportunity with KSL Sports to work full-time covering University of Utah Athletics as their Utah insider for two years, but it didn't work out the way I wanted. Now I'm an Associate Athletic Director for communications at the University of Utah, overseeing their golf program, volleyball program, and the Red Rocks women's gymnastics team. I handle press releases, social media planning, and media interview arrangements. The university trusted me enough from my professional work covering their sports over the years to give me one of their bigger brands. My psychology and sociology background has been incredibly helpful in reading athletes, understanding their comfort levels, and connecting with people from vastly different backgrounds than my own.