Meet the 2019 Award Winners: Maryland Sportscaster Pete Gilbert

Today’s award spotlight is on NSMA 2019 Maryland Sportscaster of the Year, Pete Gilbert. Gilbert has been working at WBAL-TV and WBAL Radio as a sportscaster and show host for the past seventeen years. Now as a part of the Ravens Broadcast Team, Gilbert reports pregame and postgame on a variety of WBAL platforms as well as 98 Rock.

Growing up in Damascus, Maryland and attending St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, Gilbert now lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Megan, and three children. This will be Gilbert's third win as Maryland's Sportscaster of the Year, all in affiliation with WBAL-TV, his first being in 2011.

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

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

Pete Gilbert: From intern at WBAL Baltimore to small market TV stations in Missoula, Mt, Fayetteville, Ar, & Lancaster, Pa. before returning to WBAL TV

NSMA: What is your favorite thing about your job?

PG: I have loved sports my entire life, so being able to tell sports stories to the town where I grew up as fan is phenomenal. And meeting some of the most interesting and successful people along the way is terribly rewarding.

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

PG: Having people tell me how stories I’ve done have impacted their lives. Sometimes just having fun to brighten a day, or dive deeper into more meaningful stories around role models who save lives. Knowing people watched and cared means the world.

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

PG: Be versatile. There are fewer opportunities now with the pandemic, and the sports media landscape continuously changes. Write well, communicate well and be nice. You’ll be amazed how people will try to help someone who shows ambition and is nice.

Written by NSMA intern, Brian Cohen