I was raised in Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. In 2019, I graduated from Southern Miss in Hattiesburg with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Sports Management.

In college, I hosted and produced radio shows and podcasts, including a local Fox Affiliate WMXI 98.1. I also freelanced for various local papers, such as the Laurel-Leader Call, Hattiesburg American, and The Pine Belt News, where I later interned.

My first job was with the Time-Republican in Marshalltown, Iowa, where I mainly focused on high school and junior college sports. Despite my short tenure in the Midwest, my efforts helped the T-R win the best sports section.

I returned to Hattiesburg in 2020 after being offered a sports editor position with The Pine Belt News.  As a one-man sports department, I cover 11 high schools, two junior colleges, an NAIA school and Southern Miss. It keeps me busy, but at least there’s always something happening.  

In my four years of leading the coverage, The Pine Belt News won best sports section twice by the Mississippi Press Association and was recognized by the Associated Press of Sports Editors. In addition, the bi-yearly sports magazine was named the state’s best magazine and was also recognized by the APSE.

While covering Southern Miss, I’ve written about conference realignment, one of the country’s top college baseball programs, and experienced of the largest turnarounds in college basketball history. I also wrote about how the USM men’s basketball team’s top assistant had been living in his car just months prior.

Outside of game coverage, my work has spanned from immersing myself with the Southern Miss women’s basketball coach on how she has managed her cancer treatment while still coaching. I’ve investigated allegations of mistreatment within the school’s softball program. Most recently, I’ve had to report on the tragic murder of Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels.

I’ve also been fortunate to write about some of the state of Mississippi’s best high school programs, which have included an endless number of winning teams. I’ve also written and have seen how tragedies have strengthened communities. Some notable highlights include watching the Lumberton girls’ basketball team reach its first state championship in over 65 years and profiling one of its last surviving members. I’ve profiled some of the biggest college recruits in the country.

I’ve written about how Sumrall baseball, one of the winningest programs in Mississippi baseball, rallied around the unexpected death of a teammate’s twin sister just weeks before their eventual championship season.

When I’m not writing, I’m an avid movie fan and love spending time with my dog, Humphrey.

You can follow my work on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram or email at aabadie2020@gmail.com.