TV sportscaster returns to the Phoenix
A chance to return to the UW-Green Bay campus was too good to pass up for Jill Wunrow. The 2002 UW-Green Bay communications graduate and former sportscaster became the University’s assistant sports information director in August 2009.
Wunrow’s professional strength, television broadcasting, gives the office additional help and a new look as it transitions away from some print mediums and looks to increase exposure with electronic media and video.
“Since our website launched in July, we have had more than 33,000 videos watched, with 17,500 coming since Nov. 1,” says Jill’s supervisor, sports information director Drew Harris. The “Monday Minute,” (a wrap-up on the weeks’ events and a look ahead to the week’s games) is our most popular weekly show averaging more than 275 unique views and 300 total views each week. (As of this writing) we have had a total of 454 videos watched by people in 30 countries.” She and Harris also host weekly coaches shows.
Viewers will enjoy Wunrow’s self-assurance in front of the camera and her upbeat delivery of Phoenix news. From her “Night Before Christmas” take on Phoenix athletics, to her self-deprecating comments about her own holiday sabbatical from her usual fitness routine, Wunrow’s not above having fun with her on-air segments.
Wunrow also writes press releases, updates statistics, produces game notes, handles media interview requests and hosts her shows. Her main responsibilities are with the women’s basketball, men’s soccer, softball, cross country and Nordic skiing programs.
“We really needed a well-rounded person to fill the position,” said Harris. “Jill’s experience in television, her connections in the local media and her outgoing personality made her a great fit for our staff. She is not only an alum, but a former Phoenix student-athlete (cross-country) who has a strong bond with the university.”
She spent the previous seven years employed as a television sportscaster, photographer, and sports reporter in the Green Bay, Peoria, Ill., and Wausau areas. The sports information job was a return home, since Wunrow interned in the office as a college student.
While a dream of Wunrow’s is to cover a Green Bay Packers Super Bowl appearance, she says she loves covering UW-Green Bay sports, and has found soccer to be among her new favorites.
“I never thought I would grow to love the game of soccer, but this year’s team and coaches were so fun to work with, especially when they had the success they did,” said Wunrow. “Learning the game of soccer and looking at it from a different perspective has been awesome.”
Wunrow advises college students who are interested in broadcast television to always have a back-up plan since the industry is constantly changing and television careers are difficult to come by.
“The more you do, the more valuable you are,” she advises. “Learn as much as you can, and when it comes time for cuts in the industry, you’re more valuable than the co-worker who isn’t as versatile.”
By Lauren Muench, former Marketing and University Communication intern
