Meet the 2020 Award Winners: New Mexico Sportscaster Van Tate

This award spotlight is on NSMA 2020 New Mexico Sportscaster of the Year, Van Tate, a twelve time NSMA winner! Van has been covering New Mexico sports for the last 20 years. He as covered some of the biggest sporting events in the world including the Indy 500, Bowl Games, NFL Games and much more.

Van Tate was interviewed by NSMA intern Sahil Dhawan on his career and the industry as a whole.

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

Van: I started from the news route. I believed in taking whatever you get and working towards your goal. I was an overnight news photographer. I eventually compiled a tape and had one of my news stories actually played on air. From there on out, they kept me on full time in that role.

NSMA: What is your favorite part of the job?

Van: The relationships. You establish these relationships with the people you are covering and you can't help but have some sort of relationship with them. For example, I've watched the MMA fighter Holy Holm go from an aerobics instructor to the world famous fighter. I was with that journey with her.

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

Van: There was one boxing math that was huge, between Romero and Tapia. It was sold out and much needed for boxing at the time. But I was friends with both of them! And I was sick to my stomach watching my two friends fight. Regardless, it was still great seeing two of my friends on that stage.

NSMA: What's some advice you can give those new to the industry?

Van: Learn how to do everything you can. Editing, shooting , writing. You will be hard to replace. Most of all though, be yourself. Do everything how YOU would do it. There is only one you.

You may watch the entire interview here:

Written by NSMA Intern,

Sahil Dhawan