By Joey Chandler, The Tuscaloosa News
Adam Coleman is the high school sports coordinator for the Houston Chronicle and also happens to be a Houston native.
We sat down with him recently to learn a little more about this Diversity Fellow.
Did you grow up wanting to work for your hometown newspaper?
Yes. I enjoy having a career in my hometown. I used to read the Chronicle growing up, before I even realized this would be my career. And I really had no idea how I would get to work for this paper other than putting the work in. But it’s so awesome seeing things come full circle. It makes going to work every day even more special.
What path did you take to arrive at the Houston Chronicle?
When I was at Texas Tech, I was part of the school publication, The Daily Toreador. It was my first real introduction to journalism and gave me the foundation to succeed in this business. My first job out of college was at the Big Spring Herald, which is in a small town in West Texas. At that job, you have to be comfortable with being a one-man sport section, taking your own photos, designing your own pages as well as writing. I moved back home to Houston to join a conglomerate of newspapers at Houston Community Newspaper. I worked in various Houston suburbs gaining and building a brand as a journalist. I was blessed with the opportunity to join the Chronicle in April 2016. I would say every step I’ve taken in my career prepared me for the Houston Chronicle. I’ve taken a piece of everything I’ve learned from every stop and apply it to what I do today.
What made you interested in the APSE Diversity Fellowship?
Just the opportunity to learn from like-minded journalists. I never want to stop learning in this business no matter how many years I put in. The bonus is learning from journalists who look like me, share the same background and have experienced the same things I’ve experienced. I didn’t know this before, but my classmates are so talented. I’m glad to have met them and learned from them. I love seeing people of color and women in the newsroom and to be a part of something that promotes that means a lot.
What is your dream job?
That’s such a difficult question because I love what I do now. Being from Texas, I have a personal relationship with the preps beat. It’s something I feel like I can do forever, even if it was in different markets across the country. Moving into management also interests me. What I do now combines the best of both worlds in being a reporter and editor. I look at the editors I’ve worked for and been around and it inspires me to follow that path. But I truly do stay in the moment and try to be the best at what I do now.
How about your dream assignment?
I had the opportunity to help out with our Super Bowl coverage when it was in Houston two years ago. I didn’t get a seat in the stadium, but it was still great to be there. I’ve also helped with Final Four coverage when it was in Houston. I would love to have more of those opportunities again.
What is something about you people may not know outside of sports journalism?
I have a 2-year-old son and I am getting married on July 8. I love being a dad and there are so many lessons I take with me into my career from fatherhood. There is no more precious commodity than time, and there is no greater joy in the world than getting to be a dad. I am crazy excited and can’t wait to get married.
