IU alumna and Apple TV+’s MLB ‘Friday Night Baseball’ sideline reporter Whitaker joins faculty team
From her early days reporting for the local Fox station in Indianapolis to becoming a familiar face on the Tampa Bay Rays’ beat, Tricia Whitaker’s career journey is nothing short of inspiring.
For the past six seasons, she has traveled with the Tampa Bay team, bringing fans closer to the action with her insightful coverage. Among her many memorable moments, one stands out: collaborating with Apple TV and witnessing the legendary Albert Pujols etch his name into baseball history.
“He was on the cusp of hitting 700 home runs and making MLB history, and he hit not just one, but two in the Apple TV game that I had that night,” said Whitaker, BA’12.
Alongside her impressive accomplishments as a professional sideline reporter, which she continues to pursue during the seven-month baseball season, Whitaker has a passion for teaching. Whitaker has served as an adjunct instructor at The Media School for eight years and is now a lecturer as of the start of the spring 2025 semester.
Her philosophy around teaching emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for learning, failing, and succeeding.
“I think sometimes students come into class and they think they have to be perfect, to which I say, ‘No, this is where you fail,’” Whitaker explained.
Whitaker advises students to seize opportunities and be a “yes person,” even if they seem unappealing, as they can lead to valuable networking experiences and impactful stories.
As an instructor, Whitaker aims to inspire students to create compelling content and confidently express themselves in front of the camera through Media School courses such as On Camera Presence, On Camera Interviewing, and Sports Video Storytelling.
