American culture and sports go hand in hand. Through sports, we come together in our communities to show support for a common goal. Super Bowls and World Cups spark parties and lasting memories. But none of that would be possible without sports media. Without sports media, fans would have to attend every game to know what happened. Sports photography in particular has the power to capture a moment of glory, tell a story, and document history being made.Â
It can give fans a look into life outside of game time and makes a larger-than-life, all-star seem human.
My favorite part though, is the happiness that sparks within people. Telling stories has always been my passion, and being able to capture a moment of triumph for the joy of others Â
Growing up, the extent of my sports knowledge revolved around dance and dance reality shows. My family didn’t watch Sunday Night Football, I didn’t know what March Madness was, and I never watched the Super Bowl until 2016 when the Denver Broncos won.Â
If you told young Avery that she would be pursuing a career in sports she’d probably laugh in your face. I wasn’t even interested in sports when I started at Colorado State University. It wasn’t until I photographed my first CSU Men’s Basketball game in 2021 that I fell in love with the chaos at sporting events.Â
After that, I shot every Men’s Basketball game I could until I was eventually selected to travel with the team to Las Vegas, Nevada for the Mountain West Men’s Basketball Tournament. I think that was the moment I realized I could have a career in sports if I wanted to. Throughout the past three and a half years at CSU, I have continued to shoot basketball while adding volleyball, soccer, football, tennis, and hockey to my resume.Â
In October of 2023, I started working as a social media intern for the Colorado Eagles, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. By that point, I was completely hooked. It was my first taste of working with a professional team and I loved it. There’s something about the chaos of running around trying to capture content, the joy of experiencing a win, and the array of people I meet that makes me feel alive. I hope to experience that for the rest of my career.
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Devante Stephens hypes up his teammates as they prepare for warm ups Nov. 30, 2024.
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Colorado State University point guard Isaiah Stevens (4) sits on the bench with Joel Scott (1), Josiah Strong (3) and Nique Clifford (10) before the game Nov. 10, 2023. Stevens broke a CSU record for the fourth time for game assists as well as broke the Mountain West Conference record for career assists.
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The Colorado Eagles bench Nov. 6, 2024.
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Jalen Crocker-Johnson (8) watches the ball after shooting it Dec. 28, 2024. Crocker-Johnson was Colorado State’s second highest scorer behind Nique Clifford with 13 points.
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Kevin Mandolese (31), goalie for the Colorado Eagles, prepares to catch a shot Nov. 30, 2024.
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Nique Clifford (10) prepares to be announced a Colorado State starter Nov. 12, 2024. Clifford scored 12 of CSU 74 point win.
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Isaiah Stevens (4) walks onto the Colorado State University basketball court before the game Nov. 10, 2023. Stevens ended the game with 14 assists, breaking the school in game assist record for the fourth time and the Mountain West Conference career assist record.
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Keaton Middleton (67) races away from the opposing team with the puck Oct. 12, 2024.
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Jere Innala (22) takes a shot Oct. 11, 2024.
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Keaton Middleton (67) enters the ice during the Colorado Eagles home opener celebration Oct. 11, 2024.
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McKenna Hofschild shoots a three point shot Feb. 7, 2024.
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Nique Clifford (10) high fives his teammates as he is announced as a Colorado State starter Jan. 30, 2024. In CSU’s 79-71 win against San Diego State, Clifford was a top scorer with 20 points but faced foul trouble, racking up four fouls throughout the game.
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Nikita Prishchepov (85) hits the puck hard as he takes a shot on goal Jan. 16.
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Jacob MacDonald (4) celebrates scoring a goal Jan. 16.
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Jason Polin (41) and Chase Bradley (38) laugh together during morning skate Jan. 18.
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Tye Felhaber (48) celebrates scoring a goal Jan. 18.
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Jason Polin (41), Jake Wise (3), and Chase Bradley (38) hang their heads during the National Anthem Jan. 18.
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Coachella Valley Firebirds forward Lleyton Roed (29) smiles during warm ups Jan. 18.
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Aleš Stezka (30), Coachella Valley Firebirds goalie, stays focused while his teammates shoot pucks his way Jan. 18.
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Trent Miner (50), goalie for the Colorado Eagles, watches his teammates warm up before a game Jan. 15.
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Jack Ahcan (18) races after the puck Jan. 11.
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Dribbling the ball, Colorado State University guard Nique Clifford (10) pushes past Javonte Johnson (13), another CSU guard Oct. 14, 2023.
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