Sportswriter Norma Gonzalez, a native of McAllen, Texas, made her way to the Daily Star four years ago by way of the Today’s News Herald and the Nogales International. She has been the beat writer for UA softball and covered Pima Community College sports, as well. She and teammate Justin Spears have just wrapped up profiles of Southern Arizona’s top high school football players. Recently she shared her thoughts about the series, her profession and herself.
How did you approach the interviews with the high school players?
Even though some of the interviews were just a few minutes long, I drove to each school to attend practice – even to Douglas and Sierra Vista Buena. I think it’s important to continue building relationships with the coaches and players, and even start some new relationships.
Do you interview high school athletes differently than those you do the UA softball stars?
I don’t think I approach my interviews much differently when it comes to high school or college. The best way to get the really great interviews is to just get to know the players. The most difficult aspect of getting interviews with the softball players was the access I was allowed. But once I had the player, it was easy.
What’s up for you in the weeks ahead?
This fall, I’ll be writing an advance for the Friday night game we choose as game of the week and then the game story itself.
What is game night like for you?
I like to arrive to games at least one hour before kick-off, and I end my night writing in my car. Depending on what’s going on in the game, I sometimes start writing during halftime or during the fourth quarter, but most of my writing is done after the game. By the time the game finishes and I get my interviews, I usually have about 30 minutes to write.
Recently you met with a high school student who want to become a sportswriter like you. How did that go?
When I met with Paige, we talked about almost everything. We talked about how I got into sports reporting, what my job entails and about the industry as a whole. But mostly we talked about the NBA, our favorite players and what we think about the upcoming season.
Has sports always played a big role in your life?
I wasn’t much of a sports fan when I was a kid because my family didn’t care for sports other than cheering for the Mexican National soccer team in major tournaments like the World Cup. However, by middle school, I started watching sports on my own. In middle school I played a little bit of basketball and volleyball, but I couldn’t play high school sports because my sisters and I needed to work at the family business.
Can you explain America’s—the world’s—sports mania?
I think people crave sports because it’s this magical place where people from all types of backgrounds come together to show off their incredible talents. Sports also provides a platform for people to come together, whether it be at games, at home surrounding a T.V. or online. Then there’s also the hometown or state pride, the guy from the same small town as you who made it big or the athlete with the same medical condition as you who overcame.
STARDOM 