ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Maddie Hartley, and I'm a senior at the University of Kansas pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in sports management. I pride myself on my work being centered around my largest passion— Sports. I submerged myself into the world of sports at a young age, and have since taken a path to a career in sports journalism.
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My time at the University has done nothing but further my passion. Jumping head first into the student publication the University Daily Kansan during my freshman year, I worked up to being named the sports editor for my sophomore year. During this time, I gained experience working on a collegiate sports beat through my coverage of Kansas football and basketball. The University Daily Kansan and student media have played a large role in my development as a journalist, and I'm thankful for the various opportunities that the newspaper had provided me (including trips to Des Moines to cover Kansas in the NCAA basketball tournament as well as Memphis for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in 2022, Kansas' first bowl game appearance since 2008).
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My time at the University Daily Kansan was a perfect precursor to my position at the Kansas City Star. In addition to my coursework, I began freelancing with the Star in the summer of 2023 before accepting a part-time position as a digital layout/pagination editor. In this role, I’ve gained valuable experience in covering professional and college athletes. This included strengthening my work on Kansas Athletics and broadening my horizons in Mizzou Athletics, Kansas City Royals, KC Current, Sporting KC and area high school athletes. I also assist with the night operations for the Star as a night editor for the sports section.
Outside of journalism, I've been heavily involved in the Sigma Kappa Sorority at KU. I took great pride in my role as the sorority's chapter president, as well as having a love for my current role as the vice president of philanthropic service. My experiences in Sigma Kappa, as well as my roles in journalism, have deeply impacted me and have built me into the person that I am. My involvement in journalism and the sorority have prepared me to thrive under pressure and in fast-paced environments, as well as polishing my communication, teamwork and leadership skills.