You’re Probably Wondering How We Got Here...
Hello ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the ATM Sports Bank! It’s time to meet the blog’s starting lineup of authors.
Leading off, the ace of the staff, Adam Taylor McKillop!
Batting second, also the ace of the staff, Adam Taylor McKillop!
It looks like ATM is the sole author of this blog, so, hmmm, Play Ball!
Sorry for the corny intro folks, ANYWAYS.
My name is Adam Taylor McKillop and I’m an opinionated, passionate and experienced sports nut based in New York. ATM Sports Bank is my new creative outlet to unleash my incurable opinions on all things sports, in blog-form. After spending the majority of my career working in various media relations and communications gigs at reputable names in the sports industry (Bleacher Report, Major League Baseball, Miami Hurricanes, St. John’s Red Storm), I’ve decided it’s time to refocus my career goals.
For me, the ideal result is to create and reveal my own voice, my own content, on the sports journalism track. This includes writing, blogging and talking about sports (via a podcast or radio itself).
Now comes the ever-important question: you’re probably wondering how we got here. An important question, undoubtedly, and a natural-fit for my first blog post. For me, as you hear in so many stories and so many movies, let’s start at the beginning.
The Beginning
There’s no question that every family, friend group or clique may have a self-proclaimed sports nut on their hands. The guy or gal insisting that every family meal turns into a discussion on last night’s Yankee game. The one scrolling through their phone, lost in the latest House of Highlights clip. The high schooler taking gym class just a little too seriously. (yes, I fall into each of these buckets)
Yet, some of us sports nuts are just different. The one at dinner moves into a discussion on politics. The IG-scroller shifts their focus onto the next post: ‘Why You Should Try Avocado-Brownies’. The high schooler transforms his gusto into an upcoming chemistry class.
Nope, not me.
The attention, the passion, the obsession of sports was never lifted. Whether it was announcing play-by-play of MLB games to myself at the ripe age of five, one of my first, and arguably greatest, memories taking place at Yankee Stadium, or organizing prohibited March Madness betting pools in high school, I’ve always known I was a bit more dedicated than your average sports nut.
I’m a product of my environment. It’s not only in my DNA, but this fanaticism deepened over time. That first childhood memory is the perfect example.
It was October of ‘97 and I had just turned four. After a day of child modeling for Wilhelmina (that’s another story for another day), my dad and I were driving back from NYC home to Long Island. A quick detour through the Bronx and a $20 bribe to a Yankee Stadium security guard later, my father was hoisting me on his shoulders to sit with the ‘Bleacher Creatures’ for Game 2 of the ALDS - Indians at Yankees.
This memory still raises goosebumps on my arm. The passion, the energy and that unforgettable view from center field. I knew I was home. I knew I was with my people.
The sports-filled memories didn’t stop there. I remember my late grandfather (God bless his soul) recounting stories of watching a young Willie Mays at the Polo Grounds. I remember Tom Brady winning his first Super Bowl in my living room. I remember watching Derek Jeter become ‘Mr. November’ from the upper deck of the ‘01 World Series. And a day later, the stadium shook as we recognized Paul O’Neill’s final game in Pinstripes.
My love for sports (especially baseball if you haven’t caught on yet), was cementing itself deep in my soul. And, there was no turning back.
The next step was choosing the University of Miami over Boston College, well, because sports. And declaring broadcast journalism and sports administration as my double-major with the hopes of becoming the next Michael Kay. I fell in love with college football because “It’s All About The U,” and developed a new passion for hoops after meeting Dickie V before Coach L and the 2012 Canes Hoops team shocked the world against No. 1 Duke.
I transitioned my double-major into public relations and sports administration, spending my final semester at Miami interning for the Hurricanes Athletic Communications office. Running social media on the field of the spring game with future NFL talents like Duke Johnson and Philip Dorsett, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.
You may be wondering, why are some sports nuts just a little bit different? Other than choosing a college based on it’s number of NFL talents, I ultimately decided to make sports a career. This group of sports nuts takes fandom to the next level. Between the odd and long hours, to the grueling conditions that press boxes can be, working in sports has a bit of a prerequisite.
The passion has to be a little deeper. The obsession a little tighter. The joy a bit brighter. With all of this in hand and heart, I decided to head back home to New York City to begin my professional sports career with the St. John’s Red Storm.
To continue reading part II of my introductory blog series, please click here.
