Whenever I cover college sports, I usually get a few pictures with players. People who notice this generally ask me any of three main questions.
Why do you do it? I get pictures for several reasons. Pictures with players are good for social media. They are also good for drawing attention to anything I write.
Do the players mind? I have never been turned down by a player. (One coach declined several years ago). Usually, they are very happy to get exposure and appreciation. I ask for pictures within the confines of coverage. While they take pictures with fans, too, I like to let them know I am covering the event and will mention them.
Is it hard getting pictures? The difficulty depends on the situations. Sometimes players go straight to their lockerrooms. When they come to the concourse or at least off the main playing field, I always wait until they aren't busy doing other things (preparing, eating, chatting with family or friends).
Butler redshirt sophomore pitcher Maren Berger is a great example of a perfect interaction after pitching a gem in the Big East Softball Tournament. After the game, I went to the restroom. Upon leaving, Berger was a few feet away. She wasn't doing anything (maybe waiting for friends or teammates?). I approached her, complimented her on a great game and asked for a picture for my Global Traveler story. Her response was a very eager "heck yea!" We even chuckled at how excited she was. This couldn't have been easier or more pleasant.
A fact often overlooked is these female athletes aren't used to much press exposure. Many of them have thanked me over the years. Some even thank me years later if our paths cross again.
Maran Berger and me in Rosemont, IL-April 2026.
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