Meet the 2019 Award Winners: Arizona Sportswriter Doug Haller

Today’s award spotlight is on NSMA 2019 Arizona Sportswriter of the Year, Doug Haller. Haller has covered Arizona State football and basketball as a sportswriter for The Athletic for the past three years. The Indiana University graduate has also worked for The Arizona Republic prior to his current position for 13 years.

This was Haller’s third time winning Arizona Sportscaster of the Year, tied with Caitlin Schmidt, only to win again in 2020 in a tie with Kent Somers, making it a four time winner of the award. His first time receiving the award was in 2012 in affiliation with The Arizona Republic at the time.

Haller briefly spoke with NSMA on his career and other thoughts regarding the industry.

NSMA: What was your career path like on your way to your current position?

Doug Haller: I worked in South Dakota, Illinois and Florida before moving to Arizona. I covered pro and college sports at The Arizona Republic for 13 years before moving to The Athletic.

NSMA: What is your favorite thing about your job?

DH: Coming up with story ideas and finding different, more creative ways to tell those stories.

NSMA: What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

DH: Writing about someone like Pat Tillman, someone so well known he has been the subject of books and documentaries, and finding that one small nugget that has gone overlooked and blowing it up into a story.

NSMA: What is the best piece of advice you have for people pursuing a career in sports media?

DH: There always will be others who write or broadcast better. Learn how to out-think the competition. Come up with better ideas. Go deeper in reporting. Be creative. Take risks.