With so many games to cover each season, the young reporters at Rebel Report, a UNLV student-run sports broadcast and social media outlet, are sure to get their representation. Junior Dominic Lavoie is one of UNLV’s students in sports journalism.
What motivated you to pursue a career in sports journalism?
One day when I was thirteen, I was playing an NHL video game with a buddy of mine, and we created our own team. I just pit them against each other, I just pit the computers against each other. I watched it as a sim, and I started playing game by game, and I thought, “This is fun. I’d like to do this.” And that’s when it hit me — I want to do this for the rest of my life.
So I started chasing it. I was on the school paper when I was in high school, and I started writing articles for them. In 2021, I started to get involved in the field of video and editing.I’ve been doing my thing ever since [sports coverage] on camera.
When did you first get involved with Rebel Report?
I joined in the spring of 2021 – I’ve been writing articles throughout 2021, and then at the end of 2021, I’m starting to switch to video. I realized that the way I write articles is the same way I write screenplays. I already had the mindset to write for radio, so I wanted to do more.
Making videos was difficult in the beginning, but when I started working on a news station and talking to people in the broadcast industry and getting their advice on everything, it upped my game to where it is now. It’s been a tough transition, learning how to be in front of the camera — you’re your own worst critic, and you’re looking at yourself in front of the camera, and you’re thinking, “Why are you moving like that?” Over time, I got used to Yu looked at myself, heard my voice, and accepted that if I didn’t do well, there would be another game where I could do better.
What kind of advice have you received to help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera?
You want to be really enthusiastic, because sports are fun, and you should act like you’re talking to your friends, telling your friends what happened last week at a UNLV basketball game, hockey game, or Raiders game. Honestly, the biggest thing that helped me relax was just not thinking about it. Don’t try to be a super tight-lipped journalist, just have fun, act like you love what you’re doing, like you’re telling your best friend.
What are some of the most memorable games or events you’ve covered for Rebel Report?
When the Raiders played against the Patriots this season. My family is from New England, and I grew up a Patriots fan, so it was really cool to watch the Patriots. And then the way the game ended was when Jakobi Meyers went lateral and was picked off by Chandler Jones and he tucked Mac Jones into the ground and returned for a touchdown and won the game. This will definitely become my core memory.
My first NHL game to cover. I grew up a hockey fan and only played CHL hockey here in my life. I never thought we’d get an NHL franchise here and be able to rub shoulders with writers I follow on Twitter at press conferences for NHL games and walk through play-by-play broadcasts I’ve watched on TV Membership growth is a “wow” moment.
Is there anything you particularly enjoy being live and getting into the atmosphere of the game?
I think the love for it comes from being in some sports and feeling like a sport moment where you’re there and you treat it like it’s the only chance you have to do it. It’s like that thrill you get, especially after you get a really good shot, and you’re like, “I did it.”
What are your future goals in sports journalism?
Right now, I’m kind of in between doing a play-by-play character and being a sports reporter on a local TV station — I want to do both. I can picture myself working in Boston because it’s special and there’s a lot going on all the time. I just love being in the city. I love the sports culture there and I have family there. Definitely in the next ten years, hopefully I’ll be working on a network like ESPN or NBC, making really, really good money and wearing cool suits.
