POCATELLO, Idaho - Sam Corbett, hailing from Grace, Idaho, came to Idaho State in 2009 with a career already in mind.
"I never really wanted to do anything else. I always wanted to be involved in sports—I didn't want to work a normal job. Like, most kids want to be a firefighter or a cop, but I was never that way. I was either going to be a pro athlete or a broadcaster," said Corbett. "It looks like my athletic career is coming to an end, so broadcaster seems like the way to go."
Corbett declared a major in mass communication with an emphasis in television as a freshman and expressed interest in internships to his advisor, Tom Hallaq. At the beginning of his sophomore year, Corbett applied at KPVI Channel 6 - an internship usually reserved for juniors and seniors.
"I knew it was usually for juniors and seniors, but it something that I wanted to do," said Corbett. "I sent off a resume which wasn't really much at the time. It just said that I would really like to be considered for something like this."
Corbett was invited to the studio for an interview and introduced to his mentor, Matt Gittins. Corbett was originally hired to film high school football games for them, but after Gittin's learned of Corbett's career aspirations, his duties began to evolve.
"The more I talked to Matt and the more he found out what I wanted to do – that I wanted to be an anchor – he just brought me along slowly," said Corbett. "I started filming games then they taught me to edit my own stuff and then, eventually, I was just basically a sports reporter. I wasn't getting paid but it was still one of the coolest things ever."
Corbett is a four-year member of the Idaho State track and field team where he competed in throwing events. He competed in two Big Sky Championships, including the 2013 outdoor championships last week.
He graduated this semester with a degree in mass communication and continues his Idaho State career next fall by pursuing a masters in athletic administration.
Corbett's dream job is to be an anchor for ESPN or a play-by-play announcer.
"It's been a dream of mine to work for ESPN since I was a kid. It is for any kid that wants to do this. It's everybody's dream job," said Corbett. "It's the generic dream job for anyone who gets into this business, but I would have to say that anchoring sports center would be the biggest career move that could ever happen to me."
Corbett says the day he signed with Idaho State track and field along with the day he moved to Pocatello were his favorite memories of being a Bengal athlete.
"That is the ultimate dream. You want to feel wanted coming out of high school," said Corbett. "When you finally get those letters and sign those letters of intent, it's the best feeling."
High school football games are what Corbett will remember most about his time at KPVI.
"Everytime they sent me out to a game on Friday was awesome," said Corbett. "I love that atmosphere. I love to film the games and edit the games how I want and getting to put my own personality on them. Its been great and Matt's been great for letting me do this thing for three years. Not being able to intern with them next year is going to be hard."
We Are Your Bengals
