KATIE BOFF
PR & Sports Media Grad | 1.6M+ Followers Across Platforms | Content Creator, Storyteller & Social Strategist | Former UGA Cheerleader
Work Examples
Linked and listed below are some examples of my journalism work. These examples include Q&A pieces, video journalism, deadline-game coverage, sports & news coverage and a pitch deck.
Q&A with The Adsmith's Kirk Smith
Kirk Smith is the president of The Adsmith, an advertising, graphic design and web creative firm. One of Smith's mentors is his father, Donald A. Smith, who founded The Adsmith. (Photo/Katie Boff)
By Katie Boff
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Athens native Kirk Smith is following in the footsteps of his father, Donald A. Smith, as president of The Adsmith, an advertising, graphic design and web creative firm.
Q: Do you recall a specific memory with your father that made you decide that you want to pursue the creative as a career?
A: My father came here to Athens from South Carolina to study under Lamar Dodd. Once he graduated from college, he stayed here in Athens. And, somewhere in there, I was born, and I was just around art. My father was a painter, an illustrator, a cartoonist, so it's just what was there. So as kids, me and my sister, you just drew. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I came to UGA. But somewhere in there, took an art class just for, let's give it a go, and I fell in love with it.
Q: What do you think prompted your father to create the Adsmith?
A: At that time, he saw the need. Then, he started this business with two other partners at the time and saw that it was something that he could do and make a living at. He was already sort of doing it as a freelancer. And so it was like, well, let's make it real.
Q: What principles did your father instill in you that you continue to use as a leader of this company today?
A: Some of the concepts that might sound somewhat basic are just hard work, value for the customer and honesty. That's just kind of been a part of the way he did things, always. It sounds like a no-brainer when I say it out loud, but I think a lot of that can easily be forgotten in work. So how do you, as a company, not just do what you do, but also serve the community? I think that's one thing that's really important for anybody with a business, to give themselves beyond their business purpose, but their purpose as a human in the community, a human in life.
Q: Who was your biggest mentor?
A: Probably my parents and my grandparents.
Q: If you could say one thing to your parents and your grandparents, right this second, what would you say to them?
A: Thank you. I've been very blessed and realize how grateful I am to have those people in my life because a lot of people don't, and I've been very fortunate to have that. So I think it would be a lot of gratitude.
Comments trimmed for length and clarity.
Sips Helps Sponsor Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard... Again!
By Katie Boff
Co-owner of Sips Espresso Café, Quintin Robison, has a long-standing history of participating in pet parades, before his sponsorship of Sunday’s Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard, a dog costume contest and parade to support Athenspets.
“When I was a kid, where I grew up, we had a pet parade in town,” Robison said. Robison grew up in Lancaster, California.
Sips has been a sponsor for this event since it first started in 2016. The parade will travel through the historic Boulevard neighborhood of Athens, beginning and ending at Boulevard Woods Park. The costume contest will be held at 3:45 p.m. The parade will follow shortly after at 4:15 p.m.
This year’s costume contest categories include Best Themed Costume, in accordance with the Shoot for the Stars theme, Best Handler-Pet Combo and Best Overall.
Phil Hughes Honda, Pet Supplies Plus and Mama’s Boy are among the 43 sponsors.
Boo-le-Bark is the primary annual fundraising event that Athenspets presents publicly, aside from grants and one-off fundraising events, said Ashley Short, Boo-le-Bark committee chair and board member of Athenspets.
The sponsors’ donations help support Athenspets, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization committed to helping needy animals through various work, including publicizing shelter animals on social media, spaying and neutering community pets.
Robison and his co-owner wife, Lindsay Powell, are “big animal lovers,” integrating what they support into their business. In a tiered level system, they donated between $100-$249 to this year’s event.
October is a busy month for Sips, giving Robison the ability to donate more to helping needy pets.
“It’s easy when it’s something that you care about,” Robison said.
Short said that one of her favorite costumes from a previous year was a corgi dressed up as a loaf of Wonder Bread, wearing the Wonder Bread wrapper as a costume.
“I’m always so impressed every year with the costumes that people come up with,” Short said.
Sports Video Package
This package was the opportune moment to tell a human interest story, rather than a game coverage story. My class partner and I found this story during our tour of the high school in Bethlehem, Georgia that we were covering. We identified this story idea by observing how the athletic director and the students/teachers communicated with one another. Preparation outside of the research and reporting took place to ensure a quality video package. I learned how to use Premiere Pro, how to capture high-quality audio and how to write a concise, yet effective script. My biggest takeaway from crafting this video was the importance of stable video and visually pleasing interview framing for a video package.
Life Off The Field Story
By Katie Boff
ATHENS—Bethlehem Christian Academy basketball may lose its head coach in arguably the most important stage of the 2023-24 season.
Why?
Head coach Rusty Watson is having his first baby.
Watson is going into his third year as head coach of the varsity Knights basketball. Prior to his head coaching title, Watson started at BCA as the head middle school basketball coach. The next year, he was the head JV coach and the varsity assistant. This year’s senior class was Watson’s first year middle school team; this season, he’ll be coaching them for the last time since their eighth grade year.
The baby is due Feb. 10, which falls at the end of the region playoff and around the state championship playoffs.
“It would be funny if it came earlier because then it would catch regular season and I'm like, that's definitely what's going to happen because that would be the most inconvenient thing possible, and therefore it's going to be what happens,” Rusty’s wife, Chandler Watson said.
This is a rebuilding year for the Knights. After going 18-10 in Rusty’s first year as head coach to 9-17 in his second year as head coach, athletic director Rodrick Robinson said the two of them have met to set goals for the season, including becoming more organized, to help rebuild this program.
The Knights will have to be prepared to finish up the tail end of their season without Rusty, though.
Rusty and his assistant coaches Bryce Forkner and Jason Smith have discussed a plan in the event that Rusty has to step away from coaching during the season.
According to Forkner, Smith will step in and serve in the head coaching role to finish the season, if necessary.
Chandler said that Rusty’s social media habits have even changed since she has gotten pregnant. She says that he now spends most of his time on social media sending her parenting videos and parenting ideas for the two of them when the baby comes.
The gender of the baby will be a surprise until the birth date. The Watson’s decided that regardless of whether the baby is a boy or a girl, their name will be Parker James Watson, since both Parker and James are family names passed down from each of the couple’s families.
Rusty wants to be present for his future child. He recalls that his father never missed a practice or a game of his when growing up.
“I want to be there,” Rusty said. “I want them to know that their dad is there no matter what.”
Rusty said that coaching has helped prepare him to be a father.
“When I became the head coach, I found out real quick that being the head coach means you've got to deal with so many other things than just coaching basketball,” Rusty said. “So, you know, that's really made me focus on a lot of small things, and I think that's gonna help me be a dad.”
Robinson said that even though Rusty is young and still learning himself, he does a good job relating to his players, mentoring them and modeling through example.
Rusty has voiced his excitement at becoming a soon-to-be father to Forkner.
“He’s just kind of looked at me at some points and been like, ‘Dude, I’m gonna be a dad,’” Forkner said.
Friends and coworkers await Parker James Watson’s arrival with confidence in Rusty’s fatherly abilities.
“I think he’d be a great father,” Robinson said. “He's definitely one that’ll bring a son into this world and, or daughter, and, you know, definitely give them the best life that I think they can ever expect.”
As the Knights face the possibility of ending the season without their head coach, they can be certain of one thing… Rusty Watson is preparing to be a head coach in an entirely new way, in his family, a task that goes beyond the confines of the basketball court.
10 Things You Need to Know About Britton Johnston
By Katie Boff
ATHENS, GA — Fifth year Georgia tennis veteran Britton Johnston exemplifies the term “leadership”. With his 20 doubles wins, the past four being in a row, this season, Johnston will soon leave Georgia with his legacy. But before he goes, Johnston and his teammates are preparing to make a comeback from their SEC heartbreak and secure a ring on the big stage of the NCAAs.
Johnston got the chance to share a sneak peak of his preparation, mentality and favorite moments as a Georgia tennis player.
1. Going back to the SEC tournament, what were your key takeaways that you are going to implement as you get ready for the NCAA tournament?
“Well, firstly, that we're definitely a force to be reckoned with. And we have a lot of confidence, even though we lost an absolutely heartbreaking match in the final, but we know Kentucky is a top top caliber team, and we had points to win so that only means that we're a top top caliber team. What we did going 12-0 in the regular season, it doesn't happen very often. The SEC is the toughest conference, so it just shows how tough the sport is. It should only build us up rather than hurt us, in terms of losing in the finals. We have a lot of good things to look back on throughout the year, and so we're just gonna carry it with us. And we're gonna go, go get it.”
2. How would you describe the dynamic of you and Blake's relationship?
“Blake and I's relationship is, I would say, a pretty funny one. It's like a brotherly kind of love. Dig at each other a little bit, laugh with each other and definitely push each other to do well and I think it's part of the reason we have so much success is when one of us is not performing at our best or even acting at our best we can. The other one will surely say something and it's not out of hatred, it's only just out of the best for each other. So if if he has a bad attitude, I like to get on him sometimes about it, cheer him up, or make a joke, make him laugh a little bit, loosen up and then usually, it turns successful for us, and it's not just one sided, like does it for me too. And I think that relates to a lot of our success.”
3. What does the preparation look like for the NCAA tournament with you and Blake, both physically and mentally?
“Well, mentally, definitely the days off were nice after the loss this weekend. But we're motivated because we know how good we can be and we want it. It's our last year, it's our last match every last time we step on the court now into the last match. And that's not to put pressure on us. It's more to almost free us up because it's like we don't, you know, what do we have to lose? It’s our last shot. So just in terms of preparation, we've worked really hard this whole year, and for NCAAs, obviously the stage is bigger, but it's still just a tennis match. So just sticking to what you know, and having confidence within that is really what carries the team.”
4. Who do you have coming to support you at NCAAs and what does their presence do for you and your match?
“Well, my parents and probably a lot of the seniors' parents and Blake's parents, too, get along with each other well. They will all probably roll up to NCAAs. There's a lot of close friends Blake and I have through tennis and through Atlanta, close ties and I imagine quite a few of them will come out and there's some of our favorite fans because they get loud and maybe a little on the fence of things they say to people but it makes us smile, makes us laugh. When you're on court, things maybe aren't going your best, you get to look out and see people who really care and support you. It takes your mind off of things a little bit and it helps cheer you up a little bit. And just doing it for other people always, I think brings out the best in someone. It's easier to do for other people than sometimes it is for yourself.”
5. How are you and your four other fifth year teammates all soaking in the last little bit of your college experience?
“Well, honestly just enjoying it, as much as we can. Shortly after this, I have job interviews and working and the real world, so this is an absolute privilege to still be playing here. So just enjoying it is the best thing, make sure you every time you see one of your teammates going up to him saying ‘hi’, give him a hug because the days are numbered, in fact. Just enjoying it, I don't have a better answer than that.”
6. What are your plans for next year?
“My tennis career will probably not be continuing. I would like to really work in Atlanta. Looking to do some real estate in Atlanta, and I'm very excited about that new venture. I hope it goes well. From then on, still staying connected with the University, of course, and I'll definitely come back for matches. I gotta come back and get my ring, so.”
7. As bittersweet as it is that this season is coming to a close, going back to your freshman year days, who would you say at that time was your biggest role model on the team and what did they teach you at the time?
“Well, I would say at that time, it was me and Blake and we were the only freshmen and we took a lot of heat and some tough love from the older guys, but I wouldn't really say, and I would say this through all the years, for our team, we don't really have a single captain. I think there's a collective of just the older guys, and the older guys, although not perfect, they did instill in us the ways to just absolutely battle and compete and fight like a bulldog. And I think that carries out to our successes here because we've had some dire situations, but we keep finding a way out of it. So I think it's through those characteristics that really propelled us.”
8. Who would you say the leaders are on the team, right now?
“I would say it's a combination. We have a lot of fifth year seniors on the team. So I would say the collective of us, the core four guys. Teo definitely brings a lot of wisdom and leadership. But obviously he's only been here for a year, so I think the core of it would be the starting group of me, Blake, Phil and Trent, but we don't take pride in being a captain. It's kind of just, we're a very open group. And I would have no problem with a younger guy saying if I was slacking off or doing something wrong.”
9. Prior to a match, is there a theme song that y'all listen to?
“I don't usually pick the music but Blake definitely loves some Chief Keef. Blake loves Chief Keef before to get him pumped up. Oh! Actually, there is a song. I have to think of the name of it. It's by Young Thug, though… Digits! Digits by Young Thug, that is our song.”
10. What would be your favorite memory?
“I would say our match against Kentucky this year was definitely one of, if not the best memory I've ever had on these courts. Crazy doubles point. It just was the match of the weekend. Us versus Kentucky, both top five programs. Duking it out, and it came down to Blake and I for the doubles point. And I played probably the best tennis I've ever played for Georgia, and ended up carrying out for a win. We had, I think it was, 2800 people here. So it came down to me and I hit like the winning shot and we just went freakin nuts and that was definitely special. And then singles. The guys came out with tons of momentum and we just knocked him up and that was definitely solidifying, not quite clinching, but basically clinching the SEC for us and that was just really awesome.”
The Tigers Cannot Be Tamed: Clemson Destroys No.12 Georgia on Tuesday Night in Foley Field
By Katie Boff
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ATHENS — The Tigers devoured the Bulldogs in a bloodbath of a game. Billy Amick led Clemson in its defeat against Georgia 8-1 with his four RBIs, two doubles, and one homer.
Georgia leads in their all-time series meetings 124-109-2. In their past two meetings, Clemson won both. Tonight is Clemson’s third consecutive win against Georgia, which has not happened since their four-game consecutive win streak against the Dawgs in 2016-17.
“[Clemson] threw the ball well tonight,” Georgia graduate student Will David admits. “I thought we matched up well against them, we just have to execute a little bit better.” Next Tuesday, April 18th, Clemson and Georgia face off, again. With that, the Bulldogs have their sights set on making improvements to end Clemson’s win streak against them.
Georgia changed pitchers six times throughout the game starting with Luke Wagner to Zach DeVito to Dalton Rhadans to Will Pearson to Nolan Crisp to Collin Caldwell. Despite the efforts of Georgia’s left-fielder Connor Tate with a double that brought Ben Anderson home for an early lead in the third, Clemson quickly established their lead in the top of the fourth.
Despite the six changes, the Bulldogs felt strong about individual pitching performances in tonight’s game.
“I think Luke Wagner was really good,” Georgia head coach Scott Stricklin shares on the starting pitcher’s performance tonight. “He got the start tonight and gave us those first three scoreless innings and gave us a chance.”
“We need Luke,” Stricklin declares.
Georgia’s starting pitcher Luke Wagner was ultimately unable to stop the momentum of the Tigers, with a homerun from Billy Amick, bringing Riley Bertram and Blake Wright home.
In a heated fifth for Clemson, Will Taylor doubled, sending Benjamin Blackwell home. Georgia’s pitcher Dalton Rhadans gave up a walk to Blake Wright with bases loaded, which brought Cooper Ingle home. Riley Bertram sac flew, letting Will Taylor score. To close out the top of the fifth, Billy Amick doubled, sending Caden Grice home. 7-1 Tigers.
Clemson’s starting pitcher Rocco Reid reached a season high in tonight’s game with 3 strikeouts, while Charlie Condon failed to continue his six-game hit streak.
With their first ACC series win of the season against Florida State and tonight’s win against No.12 Georgia, the Tigers are on the prowl for their upcoming ACC series against Notre Dame.
“We’re gonna see some really good arms at the University of Florida this weekend,” Stricklin says. The Bulldogs are gearing up for their upcoming SEC series against No.3 Florida.
The Classic Center Arena Impacts Local Athens Hotels
Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz speaks to Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication students on Dec. 1, 2023 in the Fine Arts Building Balcony Theater (Room 400) about the development of The Classic Center Arena. The arena is a $34 million project on the 2020 SPLOST Project List. (Photo/Katie Boff)
By Katie Boff
Athens’ newest venue, The Classic Center Arena, will be more than an arena and the concourse that surrounds it. It will be the new home for economic impact on Athens businesses, hotels and residents, Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz said in a news conference with Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication students Friday.
The annual economic impact from the new arena will be $33 million, with 90,000 new hotel room nights and 600 new jobs created by the venue, according to Girtz. A new parking deck with retail and a rooftop patio is being built with about 1,200 spots, as well.
But the question is… can downtown Athens sustain the predicted increase in visitors?
“Are there traffic management needs? Of course. But we've done an examination of that technical analysis and fully imagine that we can accommodate that,” Girtz said. “If we can accommodate 94,000 people at Sanford Stadium, we can definitely accommodate it.”
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government estimates a total population of 128,711 in Athens as of May, and Girtz said the new venue will draw visitors from beyond Athens and its surrounding cities.
“What we find when we’ve got big concerts in town, is that people come from Atlanta, they come from Greenville, they come from Charlotte, they come from Hartwell and Elberton,” Girtz said. “They come from all over the region, and this is going to continue to be true.”
Downtown Athens hotels have begun talking about how they will handle the new arena; however, hotels, such as the Hilton Garden Inn Athens Downtown, cannot currently make specific preparations, according to Hilton Garden Inn Athens Downtown’s guest services supervisor Jazzmyn Cox.
Some local hotels are worried about the predicted high reach in occupancy, despite the potential for increased revenue.
“It's gonna be a disaster,” Cox said. “Once we fill up, the closest place that we can send people to is probably going to be Commerce.”
The arena will have a capacity for 8,500 people, according to The Classic Center’s website.
The Hilton Garden Inn Athens Downtown has 185 rooms and is located across the street from The Classic Center on the corner of East Washington Street and North Thomas Street.
“We’ll make more money than ever, which is a great, great deal. This hotel in particular would do very well because we're right across the street,” Cox said. “I'm assuming and I'm hoping that they're going to build more hotels around the area.”
Local Enterprise Story Pitch
In this reporting assignment, I conducted several interviews, utilizing five for the pitch, to discover a local enterprise/trend story within the business and consumer news sector of Athens, Georgia. The reporting itself exposed me to person-on-the-street interviewing practices, inclusive interviewing knowledge and storyline pivoting. Something I would have done differently, reporting wise, going forward is to accumulate more numerical statistics to use in the pitch. Numbers are tangible evidence of the storyline, which would have made my beat group’s pitch much stronger.