Kaitlin Urka Bio
I am a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Communications Studies with an emphasis on broadcast journalism. I was born in Kansas City, Kansas but, grew up in Ludington, Michigan. I have always been a very competitive person and continue to participate in a multitude of athletic activities in my spare time. In high school I was a four year letter winner and regional champion in golf. I was also a three year letter winner and two time regional champion in tennis. Besides sports I also share an intense passion for music. I was a member of the Sound Explosion showchoir in high school (a traveling singing and dancing group) and a member of the concert choir. Performing both musically and athletically has prepared me for life in front of the TV camera. I am currently the General Manager of WOLV-TV, Michigan's student run television station where I also produce and anchor my own show. My love for journalism has lead me to multiple internship opportunities. I have worked as a multi-media intern for the Ludington Daily News and as a News Intern for WZZM TV 13 in Grand Rapids, MI. This summer I went to Bejing, China to intern with NBC for the 2008 summer Olympics.
myProfile
- Home Town:
- Ludington, MI
- Favorite Sport:
- Football
- Major:
- Communications Studies
recentPosts
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1
The Unfriendly Confines Of Columbus
2008-11-21 16:09:07
I have been to China, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean, but NEVER have I felt more out of place then when I was in Columbus, Ohio.
I had heard that it was a “hostile” environment. Uh, ok. I figured that if I could handle the verbal abuse I had encountered on previous trips to South Bend and East Lansing, then stomaching a few crude comments from some crazed Buckeyes should be no big deal. There I go thinking again.
My first trip to Columbus (I haven’t been back since) was in 2006 for “The Game”. I had a media credential so I had assumed (you know what happens when you “assume”) I’d be less likely to have any hostile encounters. It wasn’t like I was a) going to be intoxicated or, b) watching the game from the stands. In retrospect, I would have given anything to has been the former.
My experience in the Horseshoe had been great all the way up until the fourth quarter. I had received my fair share of verbal abuse (I thought they would have come up with something more clever to yell at me though than “You stupid f***ing Michigan b****”, but I was wrong). BUT, I had gotten to pose with the Heisman trophy, hang out on the sidelines with celebrities, and enjoy one of the best games of the season from the sideline. All good things must come to an end, and mine certainly did.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock I looked around the Scarlet and Grey filled stadium in wide-eyed wonderment. Those fans had every intention of rushing the field, and with over a hundred thousand of them, and one of me, I knew things wouldn’t be pretty. This fear was exacerbated by the fact that the Ohio State athletic department had issued me a photo vest with “Michigan” written in large blue letters across the chest. I am, no doubt, a Michigan fan, but at that moment I would have given anything to ditch that vest.
It still amazes me how quickly that many people spilled over the walls and onto the field. I was so awestruck that I hardly noticed the big hand grab my shoulder. I had just enough time to spin my head towards the mass of Scarlet and Grey coming at me before my vision, and my body, was thrown to the ground. My first instinct was to grab my camera equipment. In the short amount of time that it took to gather it up I was spit on, and kicked multiple times. The icing on the cake, however, came when I looked up to find a policeman standing at my side. I was thinking he was there to escort me to the media exit (which, of course, was on the OPPOSITE end of the field from where I was)-they had NO problem escorting the ESPN crew out of harm’s way. Instead, the officer looked down at me and said, “Hey, if I were you, I’d run fast.” I did run fast. I was pushed to the ground a couple more times before I made it to the exit, but I made it.
I wish the story would have ended there. It didn’t. About an hour and a half outside of Columbus my partner and I decided it would be safe to stop at a local McDonalds for some much needed food. When we arrived at the restaurant we were the ONLY Michigan fans. About six Scarlet and Grey clad others stood in line behind us. We ordered and watched as the clerk prepared our food on a tray behind the counter. Then, she went about serving the Ohio State customers. Our food sat, untouched as Buckeye after Buckeye received their meal. As I sat patiently in line a gentleman (read: Idiot) in an Ohio State shirt continued to hit me in the back all the while asking me if I wanted to fight. Oh, did I ever. I didn’t think that even Buckeyes would stoop low enough to try and start a fight with a GIRL. Luckily for him my mother taught me better than that because I would have kicked his ass (or at least I’d like to think so). Just as my partner and I were about to give up on our food, a bus full of Michigan frat boys pulled in. Suddenly there were over fifty pieces of Maize and Blue clad muscle in the room. Oddly enough our food suddenly became ready.
I’ll be in Columbus again on Saturday. And, after my last experience, all I can say is that this time I’ll be sure to pack a lunch, just in case.
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0
MOBAMA
2008-11-04 23:32:55
It's 12:30AM. Even if I wanted to fall asleep, I couldn't. Horns are honking, people are screaming, and random chants of "Obama!" fill the air. I haven't heard this much celebration on campus since Michigan upset Penn State in the last second of play a couple of years ago at Michigan Stadium. The University of Michigan's campus has been a politically charged lightning bolt that has just struck. Change won't come tomorrow, or the next day. The economy won't suddenly turn around, the war in Iraq won't all of a sudden come to a screeching halt, but in the eyes of the those in Ann Arbor tonight-change is well on its way. Students waited hours in line to vote, and today their voices were heard. There are people who say that my generation is "Tuned Out" and that we don't care enough about politics and such. I beg to differ. Proof to the contrary lies in those screams emanating from outside my bedroom window. It comes from the Diag, where today students stood for hours encouraging others to get out and vote. And it comes from the house a few doors down where friends have been gathered for hours, eyes glued to the TV, waiting for the results to come in.
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0
Happy in Happy Valley
2008-10-18 14:03:28
So this is my first trip to Penn State University and Beaver Stadium. So far, so good. The atmosphere here in Happy Valley is truly unique. Having been to South Bend, Columbus, Evanston, East Lansing, and of course Ann Arbor I have seen my fair share of pre-game tailgating. The tailgating here, in an entirely different species. It started well before I arrived at 10:30AM, and I have a feeling it'll last well after I have left State College. Beaver Stadium has lots of space surrounding it where fans can spread about. Students, alumni, and fans party and play together. Flames leap from grills and smells of bratwurst, chicken, and sauerkraut fill the air. Penn State's student section is one of a kind. Unlike Michigan's where students generally don't fill in until the game has begun, Penn State's students were waiting for hours outside of the gates and have already filled much of their section an hour and a half before game time. Beaver Stadium already seems daunting, and it's mostly empty. The large steel structure towers above the field. While it's capacity normally does not exceed that of Michigan Stadium's, due to construction, it has suddenly leap-frogged ahead and appears worthy of the title. It's homecoming here in Happy Valley. As if Michigan needed another obstacle in their quest for a win. The key for the Wolverines today will be for, "Michigan to not beat Michigan", as head coach Rich Rodriguez would say.
Kaitlin's last-5
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Michigan Hoops Top Illinois 74-64
The Wolverines started 2009 the right way, with a 74-64 victory over the Fighting Illini. Palestra.net's Kaitlin Urka has the story.
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Michigan Blows Out Eastern
The Wolverines topped in-state rival Eastern Michigan 91-60 behind a school record 16 three-pointers. Palestra.net's Kaitlin Urka has the story.
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Michigan Winter Sports Update
The Wolverines (of all varieties) have had one hell of a week. Palestra.net's Kaitlin Urka has the story on Michigan's winter sports success.
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Michigan Readies For Duke
The Wolverines are getting ready to host national power Duke. Palestra.net's Kaitlin Urka has the story.
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Michigan Prepares To Play The ACC
Michigan has jumped out to an impressive start so far, but now face a tough stretch of games in the ACC/ Big Ten Challenge. Palestra.net's Kaitlin Urka has more from Ann Arbor.
