Jackson Ramer
Sports Reporter, Yuma Sun
Jackson Ramer is a one-man show. As the only sports reporter for the Yuma Sun, he covers eight high schools and Arizona Western College athletics, from golf to football to volleyball and then some. He also designs pages for the Yuma Sun, handles social media for the sports department and shoots photos too.
It’s a never-ending list of responsibilities, and yet Ramer notes he loves his job.
“My life has revolved around athletics since I picked up a golf club at the age of two and now being able to tell the stories of so many hardworking athletes and coaches is very rewarding. So many students at the high school level will not pursue athletics following their time here in Yuma, but that doesn’t take away from their abilities to work hard and build a foundation for success later in life. Having the opportunity to tell their stories, cover games and create personal relationships with so many in the community is what I love about this job. In a small town like Yuma, Friday Night Lights and other sports keep the community involved in the development of the youth, and being a part of that has been amazing during my two years here,” Ramer said.
Ramer’s path to journalism was unique. He had multiple journalism-related internships through college, yet he graduated from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Florida.
He noted he was denied entry into the journalism program – twice. However, he didn’t allow that to be a roadblock – instead he chose to dig in and work harder, creating his own path into his desired career.
It’s a lesson he holds close, and shared as advice to other young professionals. “No matter what, keep working. Instant satisfaction is what my generation seeks, and in this profession, you’re not necessarily going to receive that. Explore different avenues and methods to create content that separates you from others who are aiming to climb the ladder. Your first few years out of college allow you to grow and develop in many areas. Make yourself versatile,” Ramer noted.