Here are five things to know about new SportsDay reporter Ronald Harrod, who will cover high school sports at The Dallas Morning News.
You can follow Ron on X (formerly known as Twitter) via @ronharrodjr, but here are a few things to know about SportsDay’s newest employee.
1) Where are you from and what is your journalistic background?
I was born and raised in Washington. The nation’s capital is an interesting city, where at any moment, the president and his motorcade of black vehicles might speed by. My high school, School Without Walls, was located just four blocks from the White House.
During high school, I developed a love of sports and played on the football and basketball teams. I got my undergraduate degree in Sports Administration at Radford University, where I found a passion for journalism. After talking with some of my professors, I decided to do an internship at WFXR News and then obtain a master’s degree in journalism at Columbia University. While in graduate school, I covered the men’s basketball teams for Columbia and St. John’s, as well as the Brooklyn Nets and Brooklyn at large.
My first job was as a high school sports reporter at The Roanoke Times in Virginia. I enjoyed covering the small community and learned a ton about how to report a story. My most recent job was covering high school sports at the San Antonio Express-News, where I worked on a bunch of fun projects, including winning an INMA award for a postgame video segment.
2) What are your hobbies?
Video has been a part of my life since childhood, when I loved playing with my grandfather’s camera. My family took countless pictures, and I’d always go through them. Now, I enjoy writing stories and using video to enhance my work. I’ve found that many athletes enjoy doing on-camera interviews as well. I’m also a huge anime fan and have watched at least 10 different series. In addition, I enjoy listening to music and visiting art museums.
3) Favorite sporting event you’ve been to?
I covered Spurs center Victor Wembanyama’s arrival in San Antonio last year. It was a scorching hot day, but the community was excited to talk about the team’s possible return to prominence.
During the season, I attended a Spurs vs. Clippers game shortly after Los Angeles traded for James Harden. The Spurs lost, but talking to Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Ty Lue and Harden was a highlight, not to mention having Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich stare into my soul during postgame interviews.
4) Favorite athlete you’ve interviewed?
Kayson Cunningham, a senior at Johnson High School in San Antonio, always had a great attitude. He’s a projected first-round pick in the MLB draft who always seemed to get on base during games I covered, and whenever I called, he answered.
I also enjoyed covering Jake South of Pieper High School, who’s now a freshman at a New Mexico junior college. South missed the majority of his high school career due to injury, but as a senior led all San Antonio-area quarterbacks in passing yards and touchdowns.
5) If not journalism, what other career(s) would you pursue?
Since I majored in sports administration in college, I had a choice between working on the business side for a team or becoming a writer, and I chose the latter. However, during my internship with the sales and membership services team at the Washington Commanders, I imagined becoming their lead sales rep. I’m not sure how much I would have enjoyed it, but that’s probably the path I would have taken.
In an alternate universe, I could see myself as an actor, given my love for being on camera and my passion for cinematography.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy my high school sports coverage.
On Twitter/X: @ronharrodjr
Find more high school sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
