CHANCES ARE, if you’ve played a school sport in the last 10 years or had a child who did, you know Zach Birdsong’s name.
Those of us who know him are familiar with the sights of him walking quickly down the sidelines wearing his beloved orange Sam Houston University baseball hat with a camera and notepad in hand. Attending almost every school sporting event, he would be spotted feverishly writing stats while taking live-action shots, many of which landed him several awards from the Tennessee Press Association.
Known as the local sports reporter for almost a decade, Birdsong made it a mission to highlight every local sport. He learned each sport had a story, and during his time at The Tullahoma News, he worked diligently to tell each to the best of his ability.
Now he is telling the story of Tullahoma City Schools (TCS). As a communications specialist for the district, Birdsong is keen to showcase all the fantastic things happening within our local schools.
A KID FROM HOUSTON
At just 24 years old, the Texas native decided to take a chance and put his hat in the ring for a position as a sports editor in Tullahoma, Tennessee. As luck would have it, Birdsong would be chosen for the job and make a 14-hour move to his new job and home in Tullahoma.
“I was very nervous,” he admitted. “Anybody would be nervous after moving somewhere where you don’t know anybody and to a state 14 hours away from home. I asked myself, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ But I was here and decided to do my best.”
One of the first things on Birdsong’s list was to get on a personal level with local coaches. That relationship building was paramount to a successful start in a new position in a new town.
“One of the things I did while working at the student newspaper, The Houstonian, at Sam Houston State University was to reach out to coaches to try to introduce myself,” he said. “Still, to this day, I think the best way to get great stories is by getting to know people personally. I’ve had coaches over the years where we would just be talking, and they’d mentioned something about their kids or other athletes doing something, and an opportunity for a story would come from that conversation. Those relationships helped me garner the trust that I had with coaches.”
Building those relationships helped Birdsong become more acclimated and successful as a sports editor and discover that Tullaoma was becoming home for him.
“I can’t even express what this community has meant to me,” he said. “One of the things that I’ve appreciated since moving here is that the community has embraced me. It really has been a great experience.”
TELLING THE TCS STORY
Birdsong told the story of local sports teams, coaches, and athletes as a sports reporter. Now he has delved deeper into the Tullahoma community by promoting one of the city’s greatest assets — its children. Birdsong currently serves as the communications specialist for Tullahoma City Schools, a position he said he enjoys.
“Even at the newspaper, I was getting to interact and highlight students,” he explained. “Now, in this position, it’s still along the same lines, where I get to tell those student stories and highlight what is happening inside this district. There’s so much happening in TCS that not many people are aware of that deserves to be highlighted. These last two years have been a lot of fun.”
After a decade of living in Tullahoma, Birdsong said he is proud to call the city home and plans to continue positively telling Tullahoma’s story.
“I just want to tell the stories and positively impact the school district,” he said. “That’s my only goal in this position. I want to ensure that I’m telling Tullahoma City Schools’ story in the best way possible.”
THE OTHER SIDE OF BIRDSONG
Birdsong’s talents extend beyond Tullahoma. Since arriving in the city, he has honed his craft as a photographer.
“When I took the job with the paper, I was handed the camera and told good luck,” he explained. “Sports photography is not easy, so I wanted to improve, and I thought going to concerts would be a great way to practice. I am also a huge music fan, and Tennessee is such a great state for music, with Nashville’s music scene and Bonnaroo happening in the summer. Somehow, years later, I’m getting to photograph all these mega artists.”
Birdsong photographed artists including The Who, Cardi B, Paul McCartney, Gladys Knight, and Carrie Underwood.
“It’s just crazy that I had that door open for me just because I wanted to get better,” added Birdsong.
Photography all around has become something that has become a passion for Birdsong. Through taking pictures, whether at a concert or a football game, he hopes to tell a story that will resonate with whoever views them.
In the future, Birdsong plans to continue to tell the story of those around him, whether through words or photography. To view his photography, visit his website at zbirdsongphoto.com. GN
