by Laura Richardson, '08
 Mike Sando, '92, counts himself among the lucky few alumni who knew exactly what they wanted to do when they graduated. For him, the end goal was sports journalism. Sando majored in political studies and served as sports editor for The Whitworthian for two years.
Sando also gained ground in the world of sports journalism through his position with Spokane's Spokesman-Review, answering phone calls in the sports department from 8 p.m. to midnight on Fridays. That job developed out of a tip from Greg Orwig, '91, Whitworth's current director of communications and The Whitworthian's news editor at the time. "Greg suggested I get in touch with Jeff Jordan, then the sports editor at The Spokesman-Review," Sando says. "I was a little apprehensive about cold-calling him, but the tip worked out well."
Sando's entry-level newspaper job evolved into an internship at The Spokesman-Review and eventually into a full-time position as a copy editor. After seven years in Spokane, Sando took a job covering the Seattle Seahawks for The News Tribune, in Tacoma. Sando now writes about the National Football League for ESPN.com, with a focus on the NFC West division. He blogs, writes columns and features, and recently helped put together a package commemorating the 10 greatest receivers in NFL history. "The most rewarding part of my work is doing what I've always loved to do," Sando says. "It really isn't work for me."
Balancing his work and family is challenging, but fulfilling, Sando says. "I'd like to spend 18 hours a day on my job and 18 hours a day with my family." He loves spending time with his boys – Derek, 6, and Cade, 3 – and he credits his wife, Kim, with being the key to making their family work. "She is the absolute best," he says. "She is like the CEO of our family, the person who brings it all together."
Sando's years at Whitworth helped guide him to his current career in sports journalism through his interaction with professors and other students. "I valued the smaller class sizes, particularly in my major, political studies," Sando says. "The give-and-take with professors and other students kept those classes interesting."
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