Indiana Hoosier Alum Mackenzie Salmon: A Rising Star in Sports Media

Don James: What is your favorite part of working for USA Today Sports?

1. Mackenzie: There are a lot of blessings that come with my career and position at USA Today Network. Above all, my favorite is connecting with the people I get to have conversations with. It’s hard to not be inspired by the athletes, coaches, and media figures I speak with daily. I’ve also come to the realization over the years that networking is not something you can buy. Genuine connections, adaptability with social media conversations, and fostering those relationships will take you farther than solely sitting behind a camera. Sometimes it’s scary putting yourself out there, but at the end of the day, humans are humans whether they make 20k a year or 20mill a year. 

Don James: What were the most important lessons you learned at Indiana to help further your career?

1. Mackenzie: Always be yourself! Galen Clavio told our class, “Everyone needs to loosen up and just have fun with it. Why be so stressed—it’s just sports!” (something to that nature haha) and it stuck with me to this day. Having a mentor or someone you “look up to” is great, but don’t let that take away from YOU.
   

Don James: What advice would you give to women that are aspiring to work in sports one day?

1. Mackenzie: Don’t focus on the fact you’re a female. You deserve to own space in this industry, so prove why you do. Others will try to limit you and put you in a box. It doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, yellow, or green, bias exists everywhere. The more you focus on what doors MIGHT be closed because of things out of your control, the more opportunities you’ll miss because you didn’t try.

Don James: With Indiana athletics on the rise with their football, WBB, MBB, baseball and Olympic sports programs, what do you make of the recent success?

1. Mackenzie: I am incredibly proud to be a born and raised Hoosier. I wish I could have been a part of the exciting run the football team has been on when I was in school, but I couldn’t be happier! Anything is possible, and one of these days I hope to see the cream and crimson on the big stage again.
   
   

Don James: Is Curt Cignetti and the Indiana football program poised to make a second run at a CFB playoff berth ?

Mackenzie: I believe the foundation is strong. Between elite coaching, a solid core returning, and momentum in recruiting, a legitimate shot at another playoff appearance wouldn’t surprise me. As you know, staying elite requires consistency and heavy depth, not to mention the new challenges of other teams being better prepared. If they execute like they did last year, there’s no reason they can’t shatter expectations again. Tight roster management and making sure backups across RB, WR, and OL will be important.

Don James: Favorite event (s) you’ve ever covered in your career?

1. Mackenzie: By far my favorite event each year to cover is the SuperBowl. It is truly the medias own “Superbowl”. Hundreds of outlets come to the city a week before the game to create content and interview folks. One year, I conducted roughly 40 interviews over a span of 4 days. Most of them being back-to-back in the morning. It’s stressful and fulfilling, and I feel alive when we finish to get ready for game day. Also, the events and everything leading up to the big day is a blast. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything!

Don James: Coolest athlete you’ve ever interviewed ?

1. Mackenzie: I’ve met some cool people over the years, but one of my favorites has been Peyton Manning because I watched him take our team to the SuperBowl! Not everyone you meet is genuine, but the Manning family is special, and it was a full-circle moment the first time I got that opportunity. Now I can say he’s a friend of our show! 

Don James: Favorite Hoosier sports moment in your lifetime ?

1. Mackenzie: I loved the runs the soccer team went on during my time at IU, but some of my favorite moments to watch again are Christian Watford’s last-second shot to beat Kentucky in 2011, and the Bob Knight craziness.

Don James: Who is on your Mount Rushmore of Indiana Hoosier athletes?

1. Mackenzie: Lilly King or Mark Spitz, Branch McCracken, Calbert Cheaney, Steve Alford

Don James: Mackenzie, what new and exciting things do you have cooking currently in your career?

1. Mackenzie: Professionally, The World Cup is coming soon to our backyard here in Jersey, so our team is working on content for that as well as the upcoming NFL season. Personally, health and wellness are important to me in every aspect of my life. Although my full-time job is being the sports host for USA Today Network, I teach spin classes and I personal train in my spare time. Very soon, myself and a few fellow personal trainers in the area will be putting on recurring workouts by the water for the community. Giving back my time and helping others to feel like athletes is a great joy of mine. You don’t have to be on a big stage to inspire others. The little things matter.