Episode 22: Austin Ota, Bay Area Broadcast Breakout & J-Grad ’25

What does it look like to say yes to every opportunity and turn uncertainty into a career in sports broadcasting?

In this episode of the podcast One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, fourth-year journalism student Ethan Donahue sits down with Austin Ota, a recent journalism graduate whose love of sports led to a passion for storytelling and shaped his path to sports media.

Austin shares how he got into broadcasting and how joining KWVA on his first day at the University of Oregon set everything into motion. From learning the technical side of journalism to stepping into leadership roles, he reflects on how hands-on experience, mentorship, and a willingness to accept challenges pushed him to grow beyond play-by-play into a more versatile journalist.

He also discusses the realities of breaking into the industry, from navigating internships with little structure to sending hundreds of emails in pursuit of freelance opportunities, and how persistence and adaptability ultimately helped him build a career he loves.

Stay until the end for Austin’s one cool story, a chaotic KWVA trip that tested his instincts, challenged his comfort zone, and pushed his adaptability in new ways.

Listen to hear:
• How saying “yes” to everything at KWVA helped Austin find his place in journalism.
• Why learning skills outside your comfort zone can shape your career in unexpected ways.
• What it really takes to break into sports broadcasting, and why persistence matters.

Subscribe to the One Cool Story podcast: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/podcast 

Learn about the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/ 

Apply to the UO School of Journalism and Communication: https://journalism.uoregon.edu/admissions