Ashley Robinson: Rising Division 1 Athlete and Emerging Voice in Sports Journalism

Ashley Robinson is a remarkable student-athlete and aspiring sports journalist currently enrolled at George Washington University. As a Division 1 varsity cross country and track athlete, she balances a demanding athletic schedule with a focused academic pursuit in journalism and mass communications, complemented by a minor in marketing. With an impressive history of achievements both on the track and in the newsroom, Ashley embodies the spirit of dedication, versatility, and ambition. This article examines her journey, including her academic and athletic endeavour endeavours, her burgeoning career in broadcast journalism, and the honours honours that have distinguished her.

Early Beginnings and Athletic Excellence

From her early days at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois, Ashley demonstrated an extraordinary ability to excel in both athletics and academics. Competing in varsity cross country and track and field, she cultivated a strong work ethic and a passion for sport that would propel her forward.

At Neuqua Valley, Ashley also nurtured her journalistic interests, serving as a coordinating producer for her school’s weekly broadcast, Wildcat Weekly. This role helped hone her skills in media production and storytelling, laying a foundation for her future career aspirations.

Her dedication to athletics earned her recognition and opportunities to lead, including a role as an assistant track and field coach for a summer cross-country camp, where she mentored young athletes. This early coaching experience speaks to her leadership and commitment to community engagement.

Academic Pursuits at The George Washington University

Ashley Robinson’s journey continues at The George Washington University (GWU), where she is a rising senior majoring in journalism and mass communications with a minor in marketing. This academic combination perfectly complements her career goals in broadcast sports journalism by equipping her with a broad skill set in communication, media production, and audience engagement.

At GWU, Ashley continues to shine both academically and athletically. She competes on the varsity cross-country and track teams, maintaining the balance required of Division 1 student-athletes. Her ability to maintain a strong academic standing alongside athletic commitments earned her placement on the 2023-24 Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll — an accolade given to student-athletes who achieve at least a 3.0 GPA while competing in varsity sports.

Her education includes hands-on experience with GW-TV, the university’s television station, where she anchors Unstoppable, the studio sportscast. Through this role, Ashley writes scripts, coordinates with her team in planning meetings, and anchors both live and taped broadcasts. Her involvement goes beyond anchoring, as she also assists behind the scenes by operating cameras and helping produce segments, illustrating her well-rounded media capabilities.

Professional Experience in Broadcast Journalism

Ashley’s drive to become a broadcast sports reporter post-graduation is backed by substantial practical experience gained through internships at respected news organizations.

FOX 5 DC Internship

In fall 2024, Ashley completed a pivotal internship at FOX 5 DC, where she immersed herself in the fast-paced environment of a professional newsroom. During this period, she shadowed reporters, producers, and digital news teams, gaining hands-on experience conducting interviews, shooting stand-ups, booking clients, building news segments, and writing articles for web publications. This immersive exposure sharpened her skills in digital media, broadcast journalism, and news writing, laying a strong foundation for her future career.

ABC 7 WJLA Internship

Following her internship at FOX 5 DC, Ashley continued to refine her reporting and digital journalism skills during a spring 2025 internship at ABC 7 WJLA. Here, she responded to news tips at the assignment desk, researched and wrote stories for the web, and gained further insight into newsroom operations and content production. This internship deepened her understanding of the responsibilities of a broadcast reporter and the essential skills necessary to succeed in the field.

Copywriting Internship at Foul Territory

Parallel to her academic and athletic commitments, Ashley serves as a copywriting intern at Foul Territory, a baseball-focused media network. Since May 2025, she has crafted concise and compelling episode descriptions and titles, conducting keyword research to optimize content for audience engagement. Working remotely with hosts, marketing leads, and fellow interns, Ashley refines her SEO and copywriting skills, which are essential for the digital age of journalism.

Athletic Contributions Beyond Competition

In addition to her athletic achievements, Ashley contributes to the promotion and broadcast of sports at GWU by collaborating with the university’s athletics marketing team. Since March 2023, she has worked as an Athletics Video Assistant, operating cameras and producing live broadcasts for ESPN+ streams of GWU sporting events. Her behind-the-scenes work ensures that athletic performances receive professional coverage, enhancing the visibility of university sports.

Honours and Awards

Ashley’s multifaceted accomplishments have been recognized with numerous honours and awards that underscore her excellence and commitment.

• 2023-24 Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll: Awarded for maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher while competing in varsity sports.
• Silver Circle Scholarship: Given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Chicago/Midwest Chapter for excellence in high school journalism.
• AP Scholar with Distinction: Earned by scoring three or higher on at least five Advanced Placement exams during high school.
• GEG Chicagoland Film Fest Excellence in Storytelling Award: Awarded for a short film submission demonstrating outstanding narrative skills.
• 2025 NATAS Midwest College Scholarship: A prestigious award recognizing promise and excellence in college-level journalism.

These awards reflect Ashley’s dedication to her craft, academic rigour, and storytelling talent.

Skills and Expertise

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Ashley Robinson has developed a wide range of valuable skills essential to modern journalism and media production:

• Broadcast Journalism: Anchoring, scriptwriting, live broadcast coordination, and on-camera reporting.
• Digital Journalism: Online content creation, news writing, SEO optimization, and social media communications.
• Technical Skills: Camera operation, live video streaming, video editing, graphics production, and proficiency with tools such as JVC camera systems and iNews newsroom software.
• Marketing and Copywriting: Content planning, keyword research, copywriting for digital platforms, and collaboration with marketing teams.
• Leadership and Teamwork: Experience coaching youth athletes and working collaboratively in newsroom and broadcast settings.

Future Aspirations and Impact

Ashley Robinson’s ambition is clear: to become a broadcast sports reporter post-college. Her unique blend of elite athletic experience and academic preparation positions her to bring an authentic voice and deep understanding to sports journalism.

Her story embodies the modern student-athlete who excels not only in sports but also in developing professional skills and building a meaningful career path. Ashley is a role model for aspiring journalists and athletes alike, demonstrating how dedication, time management, and passion can open doors to success in multiple fields.

Also Read: Shetellia Riley Irving, Breaking Barriers as a Trailblazing Sports Executive

Conclusion

Ashley Robinson stands out as an exceptional Division 1 student-athlete at George Washington University, whose pursuits in journalism and mass communications are matched by her athletic achievements on the varsity cross country and track teams. Her internships at FOX 5 DC, ABC 7 WJLA, and Foul Territory have provided her with vital industry experience. At the same time, her on-campus roles in GW-TV and athletics marketing have offered practical skills in broadcast production.

Honoured for her academic and storytelling excellence, Ashley’s journey is a testament to her talent and determination. As she prepares to graduate, her vision to become a broadcast sports reporter is well supported by a solid foundation of education, experience, and passion.

Ashley Robinson’s trajectory is an inspiring example of balancing elite sport and rigorous academic and professional development — a young woman poised to make significant contributions to the world of sports journalism.