40 Under Forty alumni: Kevin Shea, Class of 2001 - a hall of fame sports journalism career
Kevin Shea in 2001 and 2004
Photo | Edd Cote
The 40 Under Forty winners and alumni who Shrewsbury Public Library, where the new addition was designed by LPA | Architects, were (from left) Kevin Shea (Class of 2002), Rosibel Alicea Torres (Class of 2024), Christina Andreoli (Class of 2008), Margo Valdes (Class of 2024), Sean Brennan (Class of 2024), and Bob Waitt (Class of 2013).
- Class of 2001
- Then Sports director at Charter TV3 (Spectrum Communications), in Worcester
- Now Multimedia journalist at Spectrum News 1, in Worcester
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Success in sports is measured in the amount of trophies won and accolades compiled. If we apply those same principles to sports journalism, it’s hard to deny that Kevin Shea has had a hall of fame career.
Being a part of WBJ’s 40 Under Forty Class of 2001 would be only one of the honors he would be bestowed in a quarter-century that’s seen him cover just about every American sport imaginable. On top of being named the 2018 U.S. Lacrosse Man of the Year by USA Lacrosse, other honors he’s received include the 2019 Monahan & Wallace Eastern Athletic Communications Association Media Award for outstanding coverage of eastern intercollegiate athletics and the 2008-09 James H. Ellery Memorial Award from the American Hockey League for his radio coverage of the Worcester Sharks. One post-2001 highlight was the week he spent in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, covering Worcester’s Jesse Burkett All-Stars team trip to the 2002 Little League World Series, where the team made a run to the semi-finals. But Shea is happy to report the biggest moment of his career has been the chance to watch – and cover – his two oldest children, Brady and Ireland, as they play high school sports.
What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? It was humbling to be in the company of so many people I admire who had won the award before or were in my class, just truly great people, who help for the right reasons and are successful personally and professionally.
What does it mean to you now? It means I have been around for a long time. It means a lot now, because it means I am doing something that resonates. I have been consistent with trying to give back to the community, which has given me so much and a place I'm lucky to call home.
What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Don't change; keep being the person that got you noticed and recognized. Stay involved with the community and be part of the Central Massachusetts community, because it's so rewarding. Keep making a difference.
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