When Neyland Stadium roared to life during the electric 2022 football season at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Allie Campbell discovered more than just the thrill of Vol nation—she found her calling.
“I wasn’t a huge sports fan before coming to Tennessee,” Campbell said. “But being in that environment and seeing the community come together through sports, I fell in love with it.”
Now preparing to graduate with a sports media concentration major from the School of Journalism and Media, Campbell leaves with a résumé that rivals early-career professionals. From sideline reporting to live production, radio hosting to documentary storytelling, her journey has been defined by one thing: initiative.
Creating Opportunities, Not Waiting for Them
Campbell’s path into sports media didn’t follow a traditional script. Her passion for storytelling first took root in middle school through theater and the arts. When she arrived at UT from Georgia, she quickly found ways to translate those creative skills into journalism, pursuing hands-on opportunities from the start—beginning in her first year with The Daily Beacon.
Her early experiences taught her a key lesson that would shape her college career: success in media requires action.
“Don’t just wait for opportunities to come to you; create them yourself,” she said.
And she did exactly that.
The summer after her first year, Campbell interned at Atlanta sports radio station 680 The Fan, and gained early exposure to the fast-paced world of sports media. That same drive led her to take an on-field hosting role with the Macon Bacon baseball team in Georgia, where she discovered a passion for sideline reporting.
“I realized I could make that role my own,” she said. “That’s when everything clicked.”
From Student to Storyteller
By sophomore year, Campbell was already expanding her skillset across media production. She co-founded Simply Put, a podcast that pushed her to learn everything from editing and lighting to camera work and content distribution.
“I’d never produced a podcast before,” Campbell said. “I had to figure everything out as I went, but that process made me more confident and set me up for future opportunities.”
As a sophomore, Campbell also joined The Volunteer Channel (TVC) as a reporter, guided under the mentorship of School of Journalism and Media Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater.
Her experience with the Vol Network during her senior year became a defining chapter. Working alongside Mike Keith and Ashley Farrell on The Mike Keith Show, Campbell not only supported production and editing, but stepped into the spotlight herself.
“The aspect about Allie that I admire the most outside of her obvious talent is her willingness to take on any challenge,” Keith said. “She doesn’t say no to any task and because of that, Allie does a multitude of things well. That’s why she will be successful in whatever broadcasting endeavour she chooses!”
She also gained additional on-air experience as a host for FOX Sports Knoxville, WKGN (105.7 FM/1340 AM), Fanrun Radio, further sharpening her voice and presence in sports radio.
Telling Stories That Matter
While sports sparked her interest, storytelling remains at the heart of Campbell’s work. Her involvement in a documentary about Rick Barnes during her senior year allowed her to refine her long-form storytelling skills, and took her to North Carolina and Texas to capture the full scope of his life and legacy.
“I learned how to interview, how to build a narrative, and how to craft stories for a documentary centered around a sports legend,” she said.
That perspective deepened even further through her experience covering the Paralympics Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, as part of a working partnership with the USA Today Network.
“That experience was surreal,” Campbell said. “It showed me how powerful storytelling can be, especially in adaptive sports and how my stories can truly impact change when it comes to putting adaptive sports in the limelight and producing sports journalism internationally.”
Empowered by Mentorship: Faculty Support at CCI
Campbell credits much of her success to the close-knit environment within the College of Communication and Information (CCI) and mentors who shaped her journey as a journalist.
“CCI being a smaller college gives students so many opportunities,” she said. “You build real relationships with your professors, and they genuinely want to help you succeed.”
UT faculty mentors and staff—including Edward J. Meeman Distinguished Professor of Practice Gene Wojciechowski, Adjust Lecturer Isaac Fowler, Assistant Professor Shannon Scovel, Professor of Practice Michael Martinez, UT Enrollment Coach Mary Helen Holt, and CCI Director of Student Recruitment and Engagement Amanda Yother—helped guide her path and encouraged her to pursue new opportunities with confidence.
As a CCI Land Ambassador, Campbell has also paid that support forward, mentoring prospective students and helping them see what’s possible.
“It’s been so rewarding to help others find their place here,” she said. “I remember what it felt like to be in their shoes—trying to figure out if UT was the right fit and whether I belonged. Being able to share what I’ve learned and introduce students to the opportunities that shaped me has been really meaningful. Sometimes all it takes is one conversation for someone to realize, ‘I can do this,’ and I’m grateful I get to be part of that.”
Turning Passion into Profession
With experience spanning radio, live production, digital media, and documentary storytelling, Campbell is far from finished. Her goals involve taking these vast skills into a career in media and production, ensuring storytelling and connecting communities is at the heart of her career.
“This college has given me more opportunities to learn, grow, and mentor than I ever could have imagined,” Campbell said. “And the best part is, I’m just getting started.”