Springfield College COSJ Alumna Working Radio Row at Super Bowl

By: Damon Markiewicz

Springfield College Communications/Sports Journalism alumna Jessamyn McIntyre ’04 is back at Super Bowl LX this week, working Radio Row, the central media hub leading up to the Super Bowl. McIntyre is the assistant program director for Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM based in Seattle, Wash., and she has become one of the most respected sports radio producers, hosts, and sideline reporters in the Seattle market. Her career path to the Pacific Northwest started back on Alden Street, and has led her this week to the National Football League’s grand showcase in Santa Clara, Calif.

“I truly have a passion for the work that I do, and I always enjoy connecting with the passionate sports fans in Seattle,” explained McIntyre. “I have been fortunate to be a part of six Super Bowls, and each time it’s really exciting to be on Radio Row leading up to the big game and help produce some great shows that fans can get excited about.”

McIntyre is no stranger to covering football at both the professional and college levels. On top of her responsibilities at 93.3 KJR-FM, she has also been the sideline reporter for Washington State University football since 2012. Most recently, she covered the National Football League’s Conference Championship when the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams. McIntyre is known for her deep connection with Seattle sports fans, and her ability to balance the behind-the-scenes production with a personable on-air presence.

“My journey in the media field started about nine months after graduation from Springfield College when I was able to get a job with ESPN radio in Bristol, Conn.,” explained McIntyre. “I was there for about 4 ½ years, and through a connection I made with the Dan Patrick Show, I was able to network my way to an opportunity as executive producer with the new ESPN affiliate launching in Seattle at the time. Next, I was able to start doing the sideline reporting for Washington State football, and now all of a sudden looking back, it’s been 17 years since I have been in Seattle.”

And as another Super Bowl Week concludes for McIntyre, she explained what it’s like to work and be successful at the event. She highlighted how she balances her time to be successful in providing quality content to football fans in Seattle and throughout the country.

“I love working in radio, and the Radio Row experience that goes on during Super Bowl week has changed over the years,” explained McIntyre. “It used to be your radio set-up was simple, and you had your headsets and maybe one zip-up banner behind you. Now, every radio station is like a television station because everything is online. There is a lot going on, but that is what makes the experience exciting and I love it.”

As part of her Super Bowl week, McIntyre attended the Opening Night festivities where the media had access to all of the players from both teams competing in the NFL’s championship game. It’s an evening that highlights all of the special media skills that McIntyre’s possesses and relies on in her field.

“The Super Bowl Opening Night experience is crazy, and there is media from everywhere,” explained McIntyre. “Having covered the Seattle Seahawks and Washington State, there is a connection I have with many of the players, and that helps get the interviews we need. During that night, I was able to get 12 one-on-one interviews that I was able to use for the multiple radio shows I was producing. Overall, it’s a lot of work, but it’s all worth it.”

Many of the sports journalism fundamentals that McIntyre utilizes when covering major sporting events like the Super Bowl were established as one of the early Communications/Sports Journalism cohorts at Springfield College. The COSJ major was established in 1999, shortly before she arrived on campus in the fall of 2000. McIntyre can still remember COSJ professor Marty Dobrow selling her on the program when she was an incoming undergraduate student.

“The College is so lucky to have a professor like Marty (Dobrow), he taught me so much, lessons I still use to this day,” explained McIntyre. “He cares so much about the students.”

And it’s because of that connection why McIntyre didn’t hesitate to say “yes” when Dobrow asked her to jump on a Zoom call with his Advanced Journalism class early on a Friday morning after a very busy week.

“I always enjoy being able to connect with current students, and see how they are preparing to jump into the media field,” said McIntyre. “Springfield College prepared me for my career, and I am always willing to help current COSJ students and faculty anytime.”