Kirk Rose has always been passionate about sports and wants to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. He has learned valuable skills through his communication studies degree, such as how to form strong arguments, do thorough research, and identify credible sources. These skills will help him acquire and report accurate information in broadcasting. His coursework also explored globalization, diversity, democracy, and technology, showing how a diverse, global society is important for broadcasting to reach worldwide audiences. Drawing on his experience playing and coaching many sports for 20 years, as well as papers on sports history, Kirk feels well-prepared for a career in sports broadcasting. His goal is to one day anchor SportsCenter and be known for thoroughly researching stories.

1. Kirk Rose
Personal Statement
For my entire life I have always wanted to do something with sports. When I was child I
always wanted to be a professional athlete. Once you grow up only the elite few get that
opportunity, but there are still ways you can have a job that involves sports without actually
playing. This is why I have chosen to pursue a dream of mine and become a sports broadcaster. I
like that sports broadcasters get to be around the things they love the most and are able to
broadcast it throughout the world.
During my time at SJSU I have learned many new things about human communication
and the field of communication studies. One thing I have learned in particular is the power of
rhetoric. Learning how to form an argument and do research so that your argument is valid is
something I really took away from my degree. These skills will help me in the broadcasting field
by being able to acquire all the fact when reporting on a certain topic. I have also learned how to
properly do research and be able to tell if sources a creditable or not. One essay that
demonstrates this in one I wrote about how African Americans have been oppressed in the game
of golf. For this paper I had to do extensive research to learn about the history of African
Americans in the sport and the history of the sport in general. I also had to use my rhetorical
skills to show the reader how they were oppressed and how things have changed over time. In
my courses we have done work that is central around the four cornerstones of our department;
globalization, diversity, democracy and technology. My course work has shown me that for us to
truly have a global society we need to have diverse opinions, so that we can learn and critique
each other that way we can grow. I have also learned how the evolution of technology has
allowed us to interact and become more of a global society than we ever thought possible. I have
also found a connection between the four cornerstones and the sports broadcasting world. In
sports broadcasting it is important to get diverse opinions on a topic so that there is no bias in
your reporting. The technology helps to broadcasting the sporting news to the entire world via
the internet, print, or on TV and with the growing technology it allows broadcasters to get
information out in many other ways as well.
The goals I have set out for myself are things I feel are obtainable if I set my mind to it
and apply myself. I would love to one day be a head anchor on Sportcenter. This has been a
dream of mine for many years. I would also like to be looked at someone who doesn’t look for

2. the easy way to get his facts, I wanted to be known as a person who will stay up all night if that’s
what it take to get the facts right. I feel I would be a good hire for ESPN because I have a vast
knowledge of many different sports. I have also played many sports for the last twenty years,
ranging from baseball, football, and hockey, to the extreme sports of skateboarding and
snowboarding. I have also had six years of baseball coaching experience at the varsity level in
high school. So I know the ins and outs of baseball and what it takes to prepare. I have also
written papers on historical events and people in the sporting world.
I have spent my whole life watching and playing sports. I have tailored my course work
to help me improve in the areas I need to be successful in the industry of sports broadcasting.
Learning things like proper research methods and learning about the powers of rhetoric have
influenced me and have helped develop my communication skills. Making sure I put in my full
effort and finding creditable sources for stories would be something I take pride in and strive to
be the best at. I feel my past experiences with playing and coaching sports, as well as the tools
and knowledge I have gained from my time at SJSU have set me up to be successful in any
industry I choose, and sports broadcasting is where my heart belongs.