Jack Hillgrove got his start in journalism at Baldwin High School. A driven student, he demonstrated his enthusiasm and ambition when he approached the Athletic Director and asked if he could cover Highlander sports. Hillgrove reflects, “I figured out what I wanted to do with my life while I was still in high school, and I pursued it early on. I went to the athletic office during the first week of my junior year, and the director at the time was nothing but willing and helpful for my passion. I was able to announce sporting events and write stories for the school paper which only elevated my passion and better prepared me for college and professional work in the field. So if you know what you want to pursue after graduation, ask someone to shadow them or for practical experience. Because chances are, you’ll be able to get it. All you have to do is ask.”
After graduating Baldwin High School in 2017, Hillgrove obtained his bachelor’s degree in Communication with an emphasis in Sports Broadcasting/Sports Information from Waynesburg University. Hillgrove now works as the Belmont County, Ohio, Reporter for WTOV-TV in Steubenville, Ohio. He notes that this role allows him to keep a pulse on many aspects of community life. “I primarily report out of Belmont County, which means I have the entire county to myself for coverage,” says Hillgrove. “On a day to day basis, I am out interviewing sources, writing, and editing stories to air for our evening newscasts. I also get to cover high school sports a few nights a week, which means I go to the games, shoot highlights with my camera, and return to the station to edit and voice track the highlights to air during our sportscasts.”
Hillgrove finds that his work gives him an incredible vantage point on the world. “The thing I enjoy most about my job now is meeting people and telling their stories. While a good portion of what I do deals with breaking news, which can be very serious, I also get to meet great people in the field that are doing great things with their life, and I get to tell that story for everyone to see and hear. Not only is it enhancing my skills as a TV reporter, but it's giving me a unique perspective on how other people live and spend their time,” says Hillgrove. Working as a broadcaster, Hillgrove follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, legendary Pittsburgh sports broadcaster Bill Hillgrove.
Jack Hillgrove holds fond memories of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, from his fourth-grade teacher Ms. Larson to his favorite high school teacher, Chris Reilsono. Hillgrove points to Mr. Reilsono’s winning combination of academic excellence and empathy. Hillgrove recalls, “Not only did he make the learning material easy to comprehend…but he was, and currently is, the type of person you can go to anything for, and chances are he’ll help you any way he can. Not only do you need teachers that know how to teach, I think it’s equally crucial for the student to be able to sense care and compassion from their educators as well. Chris Reilsono fits that description, and then some.”
Mr. Reilsono saw Hillgrove’s communication skills even in high school. Reilsono shares, “It has been truly amazing to see Jack's progression from being in my tenth-grade World History class to now as a professional broadcaster. His poise, personality, and overall enthusiasm was not only apparent through many of our class projects, but has also served as a preview of the newscaster that we see today. I couldn't be prouder of him and look forward to seeing all he will go on to accomplish in this field!”
