The Elon University broadcast and new media major was recognized in several sports reporting categories, including Series Reporting and Best Sportscast.
The broadcast and new media major earned the top prize for his sports reporting in the following categories: Photo Essay, Series Reporting (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4), Best Sportscast and Individual Achievement Single Story. The Best Sportscast piece is not available online.
A weekend sports anchor, Brzozowski began working at WJHG in May 2013. During his time as an Elon undergraduate, he anchored and reported for “Elon Phoenix Weekly” and “One on One Sports,” both student-run media programs. Additionally, Brzozowski was named an All-American by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America and recognized as one of the top collegiate sportscasters in the United States.
Brzozowski attributes his accolades to hard work and good storytelling. “You give every story your all, but not every piece has the ‘it’ factor that can make is something special,” he said. “I create stories to form further relationships with the athletes I write about and the people who tune in every night, not to win awards.” He noted that the best stories emotionally resonate with its viewers.
Brzozowski explained that crafting compelling material is about allowing the story’s subject to shine. For sport reporting, a key to success is transcending the athletic component of the piece. “A quality sports story is something that anyone, not only athletes, can relate to,” he said.
His award-winning Photo Essay piece was influenced by his own “Elon Phoenix Weekly” story about the essence of living the maroon life. In the winning piece, Brzozowski wrote an impassioned football season preview detailing the local high school teams and the resulting excitement in the community.
According to Brzozowski, Elon taught him the skills necessary to achieve his goals and inspired him to make them a reality. He also praised the university’s committed and active network. “Even in the professional world, the Elon community stays together and is always there for all its members,” he said.
Brzozowski said his Elon professors and mentors have been instrumental in his success. He credited Associate Professor Rich Landesberg, Assistant Professor Max Negin, Communications Dean Paul Parsons and others for helping him along the way. Brzozowski noted that WXII Sports Director Brian Formica, whom he interned with, has also been influential in his career.
By Brett Gubitosi ’16