By ROB KNOX
Like many of you, I am excited to watch the Olympics over the next two weeks. I cheer for all of the athletes because of the preparation, dedication, and purpose they displayed in accomplishing a goal to compete on the world stage. It’s amazing.
I wish I could cover the Olympics.
One of the highlights of the Olympics will be the rich storytelling throughout the games. From video features and stories to newspaper articles and social media posts, countless tales of resilience, triumph, adversity, and excellence will be shared. These stories will make us laugh, cry, and gasp, and most importantly, they will connect us to the athletes in an empathetic and human way.
Already, there have been amazing stories shared before the Olympics, and not all of them have tried and true rags to riches and overcoming obstacles, which are important types of stories. Some of my favorites so far include the story on Gabby Thomas’ journey. Thomas spent 10 hours a week volunteering at an Austin health clinic, ran an intervention program for patients with hypertension, Canyon Barry balancing being a systems engineer in addition to being a full-time basketball player and Kate Ledecky trying to describe her excellence.
Strategic storytelling matters. It’s not just about sharing information; it’s about building meaningful relationships with fans. It allows them to delve deeper beyond mere statistics and past accolades, fostering a sense of individual connection that is so crucial in the world of sports.
It’s crucial in this Name, Image, and Likeness era of college athletics where student-athletes are looking to enhance their brands and schools are trying to share meaningful stories that drive fundraising growth, bond them with their fans emotionally and make people care and connect.
Integrating storytelling into your organizational strategy is not just a necessity; it’s a game-changer. It drives innovation, enhances business success, and fosters synergy. By harnessing diverse perspectives, storytelling enables athletic departments to reach their goals.
A finely crafted feature on a subject or topic like this one on Team USA 19-year-old soccer standout Jaedyn Shaw that resonates deeply has the potential to attract more significant financial investment. While reading habits may have evolved, individuals will still invest time to get to know a student-athlete beyond their athletic performance if the story is captivating, entertaining, and emotionally resonant.
A quality story should entertain the reader or viewer and leave them feeling some emotion or smarter after engaging.
The enthusiasm and excellence of the athletes competing in Paris inspire everybody and encourage us to pursue our passions while developing additional skills for success. It’s a beautiful celebration of the human spirit. Passion drives creativity, which is where the best and most powerful stories come from, such as this incredible piece on Suni Lee’s comeback.
Passionate individuals often bring positive energy and a sense of purpose to their work, which can be contagious and elevate the morale and productivity of those around them. Finding joy in what you do leads to a more fulfilling and satisfying life. One key to a good story is knowing what student-athletes are passionate about.
In addition to being timely and relevant, memorable content often emerges when it humanizes the student-athlete, delivers value, and deepens connections. Achieving this involves speaking candidly from the heart, amplifying the core mission, and rallying a community around a significant cause. Writing has always been my passion, and the ability to share stories has been a constant source of inspiration for me.
While I will certainly enjoy the competition over the next two weeks, I am most excited to read all the beautiful stories that will emerge. Discovering new stories, being surprised, and moved by the beauty of humanity is a significant part of the Olympic experience.
