Q&A: Kendra Douglas ’16 on reporting at the Olympics 

This winter, 25 UNC Hussman students will travel to Italy for a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to report on the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. From athlete profiles to competition coverage, the students will produce stories for news outlets across North Carolina and the United States.

Kendra Douglas ’16 knows firsthand what that experience means. She was one of the 29 UNC Hussman students selected to cover the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, an opportunity she credits with jumpstarting her award-winning career in sports journalism.

Today, Douglas is a reporter for the Orlando Magic and the ACC Network. She is a two-time Edward R. Murrow Award winner and a recipient of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Sports Reporting Award. In 2025, she was also honored by the governor of Kansas during a proclamation celebrating women in sports broadcasting following her stint as the sports anchor at KSNW in Wichita.

Douglas says her experience as a student reporter for the Olympic News Service gave her the confidence and professional foundation that continues to shape her career.

She shared her thoughts on reporting from the Olympics as a UNC Hussman student.

Q: What do you remember most about reporting from the Olympics as a UNC Hussman student?

A: What stands out most is the excitement of covering track and field during Usain Bolt’s final Olympic Games. As a former track athlete at UNC, I understood just how significant that moment was, not only for him, but for everyone competing. Any time he ran, you knew you had to be ready to stay late because media from all over the world wanted access. I had the chance to interview him, and I remember thinking in that moment that this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one I was incredibly grateful to be part of.

Q: What was the biggest challenge of covering an event as large and fast-paced as the Olympics while still in college?

A: The biggest challenge was adjusting both professionally and personally. Just as you felt settled covering your sport, the event was almost over. It also forced you to grow up quickly. Even though you’re technically a student, the experience feels like a real job: going back home (hotel), managing your time, finding work-life balance and getting up the next day ready to do it all over again.

Q: What skills or lessons from that experience have stayed with you throughout your career in sports reporting?

A: One of the biggest lessons was learning to speak up and advocate for myself when it came to interviews. That confidence has stayed with me throughout my career. I also learned the importance of being a go-getter and going after opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to you.

Q: Looking back, how did covering the Rio Olympics influence your career path or professional opportunities?

A: Covering the Rio Olympics had a huge influence on my career. It prepared me for the long nights and demanding schedules that come with working in sports today. It was also incredibly valuable to build friendships with like-minded people who were just as passionate about the industry. One of my best friends covered soccer during that trip, and that is what she is doing now in her career. We still bounce ideas off each other, and I think experiencing that environment together, even while covering different sports, made a lasting impact.

Q: What advice would you give to current UNC Hussman students preparing to report from the winter Olympics in Milan?

A: Prepare for the weather, stay safe and view this experience as a chance to see whether a career in sports is truly what you want. Most importantly, build and maintain your connections. I stayed in touch with one of the group leaders from the trip who lived in New Zealand, and years later, while I was a sideline reporter covering an NBA game in Mexico City, he reached out because he was producing for a station covering the game. Moments like that remind you that you never know who’s watching or where those relationships can lead.

Q: Why do you think immersive, real-world experiences like Olympics reporting are so valuable for student journalists?

A: These experiences give students a true glimpse into the real world of journalism. You have to hunt for stories, confidently ask questions in a crowded pool of reporters and meet tight deadlines all at once. Those are skills you can’t fully learn in a classroom, and they’re essential for anyone preparing to step into the professional world.

The UNC Hussman group will be at the Olympics from Feb. 6-22. The following students will cover the 2026 Winter Games:

• Avery Bales ’26
• Avery Barber ’26
• Kerrington Bostick ’26
• Emily Brietz ’28
• Emma Cain ’27
• Jesse Carrico ’26
• Corey Davis ’26
• Nicole De Zabala ’26
• Camryn Eley ’27
• Sophia Gray ’27
• Jordan Gooch ’26
• Cooper Hall ’28
• Madeline Hiteshue ’27
• Eliza Jennings ’28
• Meredith Kearson ’26
• Anna Laible ’26
• Molly Malek ’27
• Katherine McCullough ’28
• Kyla McGhee ’26
• Megan Patton ’26
• Gwen Peace ’26
• May Proctor ’27
• Bethany Pryor ’26
• Lauren Schutter ’26
• Merrily Tew ’27