Adriauna Barger, a 21-year-old UMKC senior sports fan, is making history as Roo News’ first woman sports editor in six years.
Taking a role normally filled by men, Barger immediately changed the organization’s approach to sports reporting to show just how well a woman can get the job done.
“It’s very hard to get your foot in the door, especially as a woman, and assert your dominance in [sports] because it is a very male-dominated field,” said Barger, who is majoring in digital journalism and media. “It’s really important to me to showcase that I can do the same thing you [men] did.”
From her first day as editor, Barger expanded the focus of the sports section and left the game recaps behind. Now, staff writers produce stories that showcase student athletes’ individuality and bring long-awaited attention to the women in the UMKC athletics programs.
“I’m really focusing a lot on women’s sports, because I feel like it kinda got glossed over,” said Barger. “And no one talks about it.”
Being a woman in a male-dominated field like sports means Barger gets to bring a different perspective to the stories she pitches. Some of her first pitches of the semester covered the funding gap between men’s and women’s athletics programs at UMKC, as well as a feature on twins on the women’s sports team.
“It’s very important to me to make sure everyone’s voices are heard,” said Barger.
Although statistics are hard to find, it’s estimated that roughly a quarter of sports journalists are women.
Barger tackles gender barriers in sports writing by avoiding complicated jargon for a more accessible story.
“I feel like everyone looks down on women in sports, because they don’t know as much or don’t understand it,” said Barger. “It’s my job to educate myself and then everyone else about what’s going on in sports.”
According to Roo News faculty advisor and KCUR reporter Peggy Lowe, Barger’s leadership noticeably encourages more women to try sports writing and find more courage in a male-dominated space.
“Not only is she making Roo News coverage accessible to our readers, she’s making sports accessible to our writers,” said Lowe. “We have so many more young women stepping up and wanting to cover things and work with Adriauna.”
Barger initially took the Roo News course just for credit, but quickly found her niche. Her childhood love of the Chicago Cubs, years of competitive cheer, dance and her love of writing combined into a talented sports reporter.
“She really creates a story that could be in a major publication like the Kansas City Star or the KCUR website,” said Lowe. “Her reporting and her writing are just that level and above.”
After graduation, Barger wants to continue building experience as a sports reporter and maybe even work for the Chicago Cubs.
“I’m a girl, so I’m bringing a different perspective to the sports section,” said Barger. “I hope I encourage other people to do the same thing.”
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Barger was the first Roo News female sports editor. Roo News regrets the error.
