BamaMag.Com Lands Five-Star Reporter

One could hardly make better preparation to be a sports reporter than has Miami native John Garcia, Jr., who now brings his skills to BamaMag.com as recruiting expert.

John Garcia, Jr., described his move from Syracuse, where he has covered the Orange, as “a no-brainer.” He called Alabama the “college football mecca.”

This will be new territory for Garcia. The Miramar, Fla., native was a top student and football player at Everglades High School. Although undersized for Division I football at 5-9, 180, he continued his football career at Division III Averett University in Danville, Va. He was a four-year starter for the Cougars and was Averett Rookie of the Year in 2005 and captain and player of the year in 2008.

Garcia also was Academic All-Conference and a four-time Dean’s List performer.

He was a sports reporter (and winner of the award as Outstanding Journalist in 2008-09) for his college newspaper and for Internet sites and a football broadcaster. Moreover, he became a fanatic in football film study, which is invaluable in his career.

Garcia had the opportunity to enter the coaching profession, but had his eye on sports reporting.

Garcia added to his resume when he was accepted to the prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University. He earned his master’s degree in broadcast journalism in one year.

He started his professional reporting career as Fantasy Sportswriter for CBSSports.com. John was responsible for covering NFL football as well as professional basketball and baseball over the year he worked at CBS, until an even better opportunity with FOX Sports and Scout.com arose at Syracuse.

It was at Syracuse that he began to cover recruiting.

Now he brings that background to BamaMag.com, where he replaces Andrew Bone. Bone covered Alabama recruiting for 10 years for BamaMag.com and ‘BAMA Magazine, and has now gone to the Tuscaloosa News.

Twitter: JohnGarcia_Jr