When asked how he got involved in sports journalism, he said, “I had always wanted to be involved in some way. In high school, I always wanted to look into communications and marrying that with my love of sports was always important to me. In college, I actually tried out for the school’s varsity baseball team twice, but failed twice. (In a way…I think it was for the best). After the second time, I took it more seriously. I got more involved in the campus radio station and it really paved the way for me to get where I am now. I still have a long way to go…but I’m grateful.”
He is drawn to sports journalism since it is related to his other job, which involves coaching high school sports. “It’s an opportunity to bring the game, whichever one I’m covering, to a wide audience. I think sports is a huge part of our society and giving it some extra attention is important,” he said.
On his proudest moments, he said, “Well, I have three: First is my first of three Atlantic 10 championship tournaments (It was volleyball in 2013). The second is my first ESPN3 broadcast when St. John’s volleyball hosted Fresno State in September of 2014. The third was actually back at George Washington University, my alma mater. I was the first play-by-play voice of its newly baseball stadium. Seeing my name in the post-game recap gave me chills.”
Asonye Jr. listed Derek Jeter, Kobe Bryant, and John Thompson, Jr., the former head coach of Georgetown basketball, as his dream interviews in sports.
For aspiring sports journalists, he said, “Times come where you’ll want to give up. Don’t. You’re going to question whether this hustle is worth it. That’s ok. Just keep going. And most importantly this: you may feel like no one’s gonna read, see or listen to your work or even worse — that no one’s going to care. I’ve been there and honestly, it’s kind of a daily fight. But your voice deserves to be heard. Just fight for it and be prepared to get better and learn.”
He shared that the key to longevity in sports journalism involves “persistence and a willingness to listen and watch… You can’t make your subject say something they don’t want to and the game be something it’s not. Pay attention and take note of the little things. It’ll pay off,” he said.
The veteran sports journalist defined the word success as “being regarded as an authority,” as well as “someone whose opinion you have to read.” “I have such a long way to go, but I’m gonna do what I’ve got to do,” he concluded.
