At one point, Michael Odom was studying biology in college. However, he found his calling in journalism and has now been recognized as a 2025-26 Tennessee Distinguished Service Award winner for his contributions to sports reporting in West Tennessee.
Odom, who serves as the sports editor of the Milan Mirror-Exchange, credits his motivation to the relationships he has built with athletes and coaches over the years. “That’s what keeps me going, the relationships with players and coaches in West Tennessee,” said Odom. “I get to see and tell the stories of some of the best the state has to offer, night in and night out.”
A native of Jackson, Tennessee, Odom graduated from North Side High School before briefly working as a basketball graduate-assistant at his alma mater. He then began a journalism career that has spanned more than two decades.
His early work at the Jackson Sun involved behind-the-scenes tasks such as answering phones and recording box scores to ensure young athletes were recognized on the newspaper’s Scoreboard page. After Matthew Borenstein left, Odom became responsible for coordinating high school sports coverage.
Throughout his career, Odom has reported on major events like Spring Flings and notable moments at Middle Tennessee State University’s ‘Glass House.’ He is known for highlighting both achievements and challenges faced by student-athletes.
“I’ve always been a passionate person and one of my passions is high school sports, and getting to tell the stories of these athletes,” said Odom. He recounted how his series “Faith in Practice” spotlighted West Tennessee athletes’ faith journeys alongside their athletic pursuits. According to Odom: “I remember back when I was with the Jackson Sun, a kid at Haywood (High School) lost his arm and pitched his senior year with only one arm.
“I started a ‘Faith in Practice’ series, telling stories of West Tennessee athletes and their faith. One girl came back and told me that a small college in Florida saw the story about her faith and offered her a scholarship to come play softball because of her faith story that I wrote about.”
Now based at the Milan Mirror-Exchange after being recruited by owner Victor Parkins earlier this decade, Odom covers stories across approximately ten communities including Brownsville, Fayette, and Lexington.
“I’ve just always loved sports,” said Odom. “and always had a passion for them.”
The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) acknowledged Michael Odom’s dedication: “TSSAA proudly salutes Michael Odom for his years of work and dedication covering high school sports in Tennessee.”
