Meet the Register: Hawkeye sports reporter Mark Emmert

Mark Emmert has been with the Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen since April 2016. He covers University of Iowa Sports. You can reach Mark at memmert@gannett.com or on Twitter at @MarkEmmert or at 319-339-7367.

How did you get your start in journalism?

My favorite teacher was also the adviser to the high school newspaper (the Blaine Blueprint!) and, believing me to be an adequately motivated student, encouraged me to take the position of editorial page editor. I did so for two years, and have been hooked ever since, through four years of college and now nine different newspapers.

Where do you live?

I just moved into a condo on the west side of Iowa City and was immediately reminded of how aggressively kind Midwesterners are when a neighbor noticed that I’d driven off with my laptop bag atop my car and followed me, honking, until I pulled over to retrieve it. Thanks, ma’am!

My most memorable moment as a journalist is …

Editing and designing the front page of the Duluth (Minn.) News Tribune on 9/11. Being in a newsroom when world-changing events occur is an indescribable mix of anguish and adrenaline.

What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you on the job?

I had an angry caller threaten to cancel his “prescription.” I urged him to check with his doctor first. This was in Indiana; they talk a little funny over there.

What’s your favorite spot in Iowa?

Carl’s Place in the Sherman Hill neighborhood of Des Moines. I need to find the Iowa City equivalent of that venerable dive bar/neighborhood gathering place. I also loved seeing movies at the grand old Varsity Theater near the Drake campus. So glad they've been able to keep that open.