Meet the N&O’s newest sports reporter. Welcome, Shelby Swanson

I like to talk. A lot.

My mom, Kris, says I’ve always had the “gift of gab.” I asked endless questions as a child. My voice filled any brief silence in our Durham household. I, the Swanson’s self-appointed stenographer, found purpose in recounting every little detail of my day — and my younger brothers’ days, on their behalf — to anyone who would listen.

Hopefully my family will forgive me for the annoyance now. Because, somehow, I’ve ended up as The News & Observer’s UNC beat writer — a job built on asking questions and telling stories. My childhood chatter translated to tools that help me uncover overlooked details, shape stories that matter and connect with people.

I’ll give you an example.

At a recent assignment, former Tar Heel and current NFL wide receiver Mack Hollins had just stepped off the press conference podium at a Vikings-Patriots joint practice when I introduced myself. There was little reason for Hollins to take the time to talk to a random 22-year-old Minnesota Star-Tribune intern, but I had an in.

“Hey! My name is Shelby, and I’m a North Carolina grad.”

His smile was instant and genuine. We walked across the TCO Stadium complex — he was barefoot, while I opted for sneakers — and chatted about the snakes he kept as pets in Chapel Hill. I later made the rounds with the New England media corps — veterans who covered Bill Belichick for years. They offered their best advice on how to question the curt coach. Ask about football, yes, but also history, lacrosse and the Navy. One reporter even called him football’s “Yoda.”

“You’ve got to remember, he knows 500 times more about football than you do,” I was told. “Treat it like a ‘teach me your ways’ kind of thing.”

That curiosity comes easily to me.

I’m a lifelong learner. And while I earned my degree from UNC, my educational experience was primarily shaped by my parents.

My mom is a kindergarten teacher; my dad, Jon, a high school teacher. While they always had summers free, our family vacations felt like lectures. These cross-country adventures were my introduction to American sports culture, as we tagged along on my father’s quest to visit every MLB stadium.

Without today’s pitch clock rules, games stretched on. My dad, a loyal Red Sox fan, filled those slow innings with stories. I learned about immigration through the story of Dominican-American slugger David Ortiz. He pointed to the 5-foot-9 Dustin Pedroia who defied expectations at second base. He wanted me to see that my on-field heroes were more than their stats, even showing me Mookie Betts’ bowling highlights to further his point.

I’ve always been drawn to stories about oddballs and underdogs. In college, The Daily Tar Heel taught me how to approach those tales with accuracy and fairness. Summer internships at The N&O and The Star Tribune honed those skills. My role then, as now, wasn’t to be a fan, but to give readers the clearest view of the people, decisions and events shaping UNC athletics.

That’s how I see this beat: a responsibility to ask questions. To seek clarity and context. To explain what I’ve learned in a way that’s accessible, entertaining and worth your time.

While the setting has shifted from NFL training camp back to Kenan Stadium and the Dean Dome, the work remains the same — listening, observing and telling stories as clearly as I can.

And, of course, talking. A lot.

This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM.