Phillips named sports editor

Johnnie Phillips has been named sports editor of the Steele County Times.
A recent graduate of St. Thomas University, Phillips assumed his new role last week. He will be responsible for sports coverage in Blooming Prairie, Medford, New Richland and Owatonna.
“Johnnie will be bringing a fresh perspective to our sports coverage,” said Publisher Rick Bussler. “We are excited to get someone like him with his youthfulness and passion for sports.”
Bussler is confident that Phillips will enhance the newspaper’s overall sports coverage and take it to a new level.
“Sports have always been my passion, and I am excited to begin my career in a region with such a rich and passionate sports history,” said Phillips.
During college, Phillips worked as sideline videographer for the University of St. Thomas football team and a copy editor for Sports Media, Inc. He also tracked statistics for MLB and MiLB scouting reports for Inside Edge, Inc.
“It has long been a dream of mine to work for the sports section of a newspaper, and I am excited to see my dream become a reality with the Steele County Times,” said Phillips.
Phillips was born and raised in San Jose, Calif. He moved to the Twin Cities area five years ago to attend the University of St. Thomas where he earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism. While at St. Thomas, Phillips also attended the University of Westminster in London, where he studied British journalism.
While at St. Thomas, Phillips played football for the Tommies his freshman year, both as a quarterback and defensive back.