FAMILY ATMOSPHERE
ECU graduate and track star Bria Stith pursues dream of sports journalism
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Bria Stith, a standout on the East Carolina University women’s track and field team, knew she wanted to be a Pirate since she visited campus when she was in middle school.
Stith, from Lawrenceville, Virginia, will graduate from ECU on May 8 with a Bachelor of Science in communication with a concentration in journalism.
Stith said she was first drawn to ECU when her brother, Brandan, visited as a basketball recruit for ECU. She also watched him play in Minges Coliseum. Stith, who redshirted her senior year, has another year of eligibility and plans to compete again next season on the women’s track and field team along with her younger sister Brooke, who will be a rising senior at ECU.
“I fell in love with the campus and the people,” Stith said. “I chose ECU because I love the family atmosphere, and my family and I agreed that ECU was a perfect fit for academics and athletics.”
Stith said that her interest in communications and broadcast journalism was also sparked at a young age.
“When I was younger, I watched Robin Roberts every morning on ‘Good Morning America’ before going to school and that really sparked my interest in journalism and becoming a reporter,” Stith said.
Stith said she remembers the challenge of her first communication class but credits her professors for helping her and preparing her for the future.
And that’s a wrap!! Thank you @WAVYinterns for this amazing experience this summer ?? ( @bpar73 @TomWAVYTV ) pic.twitter.com/yvUhrUF0lP
— Bria Stith (@briastith) August 10, 2019
STATISTICS
Name: Bria Stith
College: College of Fine Arts & Communication
Major: Communication (journalism concentration)
Age: 22
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Virginia
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, working out, being outside when it’s warm and family time
Clubs and organizations: Member of ECU Women’s Track & Field team
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: Outside of Starbucks when it’s warm
Favorite place on campus: Bate Foundation Track & Field Facility
Favorite place to eat: Chick-Fil-A
Favorite class: Electronic News Performance/Feature writing
Professor who influenced you the most: Professor Cindy Elmore
Favorite TV show: “Criminal Minds”
Favorite band/musician: Drake and Summer Walker
Favorite movie: “Mulan”
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: ESPN sideline reporter
Role model: Maria Taylor
Your words to live by: “Live by faith, not by sight”
What advice do you have for other students? Be persistent when you’re working toward yorur goals and always have self-confidence.
What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year?: I wish I knew about all the events on campus that I could have attended my freshman year. ECU had yard shows, clubs and events that gave out free items.
“I knew nothing about cameras, interviewing and the list goes on,” Stith said. “My professors prepared me for the future and helped me own my mistakes.”
Stith said that owning and learning from mistakes helped her grow as a student and an athlete throughout her time at ECU.
Stith is a heptathlete, which means she participates in seven events for a combined overall score.
“My events include 100-meter hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin, 200-meter dash and 800-meter run,” Stith said.
During her time as a Pirate, Stith set the school record in her first time competing in the pentathlon, which consists of five events. (Photo by Rob Goldberg)
Stith grew up running track and playing basketball but chose to run track in college because of her previous accomplishments and passion for it.
While at Maury High School in Virginia, Stith was the 2015 5A state champion in the long jump. She also won state titles in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, triple jump and 4×400 relay at the 2014 2A outdoor championships. At the 2014 2A indoor championships, Stith captured state championships in the 55 hurdles, 4×200 relay and 4×400 relay events.
During her time as a Pirate, Stith set the school record in her first time competing in the pentathlon, which consists of five events.
Stith was named ECU Student Athlete of the Month for January 2019 and said that her success as a student-athlete came from having good time management skills and staying organized with practices and classes.
“The journey has been challenging but it has also been beautiful,” Stith said. “The best way to predict the future is to create it and ECU has helped me create mine.”
After she graduates, Stith will be continuing her education in the fall in ECU’s master’s degree program in kinesiology with a concentration in sport management.
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