The 108 Interview Series – Alyssa Bergamini

Here at the 108, it is our job….our duty to bring to you the great personalities of White Sox Twitter, either via tweet / photo / video or blog post. In continuing with the tradition of bringing you “the goods” we asked the lovely (and insanely talented) Alyssa Bergamini if she’d do an interview with us. Without hesitation, she said she would and was real excited. Then we got excited as she is one of the faces of the strong women presence in Chicago sports. We love her work, we love her attitude and we love the way she interacts with the fans. We are honored that she would use her precious free time on us.

So enjoy! Thank you very much Alyssa for the interview, we know our fans will love it! Alyssa is a fan thru and thru.

Favorite Game That I Was At- Every Opening Day is like Christmas to me. Dare I say, better than Christmas! The sights, the sounds, the smells – it never gets old. Regardless of the weather, its a clean slate for the season and the true fans always show up donned in their black and white, or throwback navy and red. However, Michael Kopech‘s big league debut (even though it only lasted two innings thanks to Chicago weather) was electric. “Kopech Day” was a glimpse into the future of the White Sox. It was a game I will never forget working.

Favorite Theme Night– White Sox as an organization does a phenomenal job when it comes to theme nights. We always take it above and beyond! Personally, I love Star Wars Night (even though I’ve never seen the movies), Italian Heritage Night (peep the last name), Elvis Night, Cinco de Mayo, and Country Music Night. Also, Fan Appreciation Night as the last game of the season is always a favorite of mine. How could I forget dog day, woof!

What really grinds your gears? When fans deck themselves out in team apparel at a game that their team IS NOT EVEN PLAYING IN. For example, when someone wears an Anthony Rizzo jersey to a White Sox vs Cleveland Indians game. Vice Versa, if a White Sox fan were to wear a Yoan Moncada jersey to a Cubs vs Cardinals game. It doesn’t make sense, so please don’t do it people! You look uneducated.

Your sister seems like a true #108ing Fan. Give us the deets. Anything we should know about her? Funny childhood story? Pictures?
Alaina, my younger sister, is the coolest chick in the game! She’s my ultimate wing woman and listens to me day in and day out chirp about sports, etc.. We’ve made it a tradition that each season we try to attend at least one away White Sox game and make a trip out of it. Bucket list would be to attend all the stadiums, but so far we have only made a dent! She also works at White Sox and our car rides on the Dan Ryan usually consist of her giving me a full-on concert. You can usually find her on my Instagram stories belting out a tune (IG plug, @alyssabergamini.) Never a dull moment with Alaina! We both attended the University of Iowa, and for those who have been to a Hawkeye tailgate, it is #108ing to the EXTREME! Therefore, we are no rookies to the #108-ing lifestyle. I would share more stories, but then y’all would find out how much cooler she is than me.

Best Sox Park hack? Dollar hot dog Wednesdays, the Ballpark Check in App to receive free swag, and getting to the ballpark prior to the game so you can be picked for a promotion! Also, during the cold April games, buy a ticket for the 500 level then move your way down to the 100 level while there is available seating. Outside of the ballpark, the best hack is that ChiSox Bar and Grill has half-priced appetizers after every home game. You can’t beat that. Plus, it is Gibson’s food!

How Early Do You Get To Games? 2 hours before first pitch, there until the final out. Unless I head over to Turtles or Cork and Kerry early 😉

What Do You Bring To Games? Besides my energy, a purse full of girly things so I don’t scare off fans while I’m up on the center-field videoboard.

How Many Games Do You Go To Each Year? So far I’ve only missed a few games due to wedding festivities. It still amazes me how friends and family don’t check the MLB schedule prior to planning the most special day of THEIR life! (Absolutely kidding, well wishes to the happy couples in my life.) Last year I clocked in around 70 games, and went to a few on the road. If I’m not at the game, I’ll usually watch the broadcast or follow along on Twitter.

Do you remember your first Sox game? Honestly, I don’t, but I so wish I did. I do know that my parents started bringing me to Comiskey Park at a very young age, and I grew up infatuated by the environment as a whole. Maybe it was the introduction to dippin’ dots, or the fact that the fireworks went off in Chicago not only on the Fourth of July, regardless, I was immediately hooked and never looked back. In fact, for my 13th birthday party I brought a school bus, yes a big yellow school bus full of my closest friends and family to the White Sox game on April 30th against the Detroit Tigers. We pre-gamed (non-108ing, of course) at the Patio and sat in the outfield. I remember being on the jumbotron and being so damn excited. White Sox won 1-0. Best birthday present there is, amiright?!

Favorite All-Time Player That Doesn’t Have a Statue On the Concourse A.J. Pierzynski

If you could have dinner with five White Sox Players, past and present, who would they be? Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ozzie Guillen, A.J. Pierzynski, The Big Hurt, TA7.

What is your favorite baseball word? “In a pickle” or “in a jam.” It is relatable to everyday life!

What is your least favorite baseball word? LOB (only if it’s referring to my team offensively)

What sound or noise at the ballpark do you love? When they play “Victorious”… because that means we won!

What sound or noise at the ballpark do you hate? When they play “Sweet Home Chicago”… because that means we lost.

What is your favorite Hawkism? Easy. You can put it on the boardddddddd, YES!

Feelings on the wave? Okay, I like it. I think it is hilarious. It’s simultaneously the one time everyone pays close attention.

Give us a #HotTake about the rebuild. #HotTake I can’t wait for everyone to jump on our bandwagon once we make a playoff run. I will welcome them with open arms, but always remind them who was here first! Also, Michael Kopech, come back! We need ya in our rotation.

Do you have any favorite parts of working your job in sports? No two days are the same, ever! I studied sports journalism at the University of Iowa, and it was there where it really all clicked for me. My passion for writing and sports could become a career? Say no more! Overall, the people I meet, the fans I engage with on a daily basis, and the ability to work in the number three TV market makes my “job” in sports feel more like a constant thrill. Just like baseball, the broadcast industry is full of ups and downs, and I’m only getting started. “Ricky’s Boys Don’t Quit”, and neither do I!

Did Gene Honda hook ya up with the Big Ten Tourney job? That guy rocks huh? Dope voice.
Gene rocks! No he did not land me that gig. I was approached from a Big Ten Conference talent agent to host the Big Ten Tourney (Go Hawkeyes!) But it is always a pleasure to work alongside the man with the golden-pipes!

The 108ers have daughters ranging in age from 1 year to 9 years old, what advice would you give them about advancement in a male-dominated profession? At the majority of my jobs from college until now, I have always been outnumbered by males. Whether in the newsroom at NBC Sports Chicago, or as a personal trainer at the gym, I’m usually the odd man, or should I say, odd woman out. First off, I learned that it’s okay to ask questions and never be afraid to speak up. When someone tells you “no”, prove them wrong and work twice as hard. If you want to be respected in the sports industry, or for any industry for that matter, do your research and always be prepared. Prove them wrong! Sounds simple, but be nice to everyone and smile! A smile can go a long way. Last but certainly not least, chase dreams, not boys. They ain’t worth it (sorry gentlemen!)

What gets you excited about the White Sox?
Regardless of the game or team we are playing against, our South Side Hitmen play with grit and passion. I watch, cover, and attend a lot of sporting events, and I may be biased, but no other team wears their heart on their sleeve as much as the team off 35th and Shields. I am excited about the present team, the prospects, and for the upcoming future of this prestigious organization.

What would be a good theme song for your life?
Recently, a guy friend of mine who works outside of the sporting world, but is a huge sports fanatic is infatuated with my colorful career. He said that my theme song would be “Smile” (Living My Best Life) feat. Snoop Dog. I thoroughly do try to live every day to it’s fullest, but it’s always nice to be appreciated from an outside perspective.

What Other Chicago Teams Do You Enjoy – Bulls and Bears. I also work with the Chicago Wolves as their In-Arena Host. Go Wolves!

Favorite All-Time Sox Broadcaster– Hawk Harrelson. He is a legend, after all!

Who is your celebrity crush? Channing Tatum or Bradley Cooper. I won’t be picky.
What is your favorite baseball movie? Trouble with the Curve. Moneyball. 42. Field of Dreams.

Is baseball your favorite sport? If not what is? Baseball is thru and thru my favorite sport. When people tell me that they think baseball is boring, it usually just means that they are boring.

What’s the one thing about you few people know? I was runner-up in the Italian American pageant in 2010. Few people know because well, I was runner-up. If you ain’t first you’re last.

What do you like doing in your spare time? Working out and training people at the gym, #108ing with my friends in the city, maneuvering my way to the first row in concerts, or my personal favorite adrenaline rush… sneaking into concerts, attending other sporting events whether in Chicago or elsewhere, traveling internationally with my sister, road trips to Iowa City for a Hawkeye football tailgate, Turtles or Cork and Kerry after a White Sox game, win or lose.

What ballpark would you like to visit?
Dodger Stadium. Who is coming with me?

You have a ton of Instagram followers, we are trying to build up our following. Besides becoming hot chicks, how do we do that? Any tips? Also should we call it Instagram, IG, Insta, The Gram? Haha! Whatever makes you happy, I prefer just the good ole’ “Instagram.” Maybe throw out the first pitch and have it go terribly wrong so it can go viral. And no, that was not me who threw out the unfortunate first pitch recently!

What are you most proud of?
The fact that I’ve been presented the opportunity to work for the organization that I grew up admiring. I am the best version of myself when I am at the ballpark, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Life comes full circle, and hard work does pay off. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it! Now, let’s get a World Series Championship so I can scream it at the top of my lungs to 40,000 fans at Guaranteed Rate Field!