Follow WBURKaren Given
Karen has worked in radio since she was 16 years old, getting her start at a small commercial music station in Joshua Tree, California. Her favorite part of the job was reading the news updates at the top of every hour.
She came to WBUR in 1991 as a student at Boston University. In her years at B.U., Karen earned degrees in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism and expanded her radio skills with a work study job in WBUR’s audio engineering department. Eventually she was hired on as the Technical Director for Only A Game and Car Talk.
Karen made the transition from technical to editorial by way of Reno, Nevada, where she spent a year as the only feature news reporter for Reno’s public radio station, KUNR. With her newly acquired reporting skills, Karen returned to WBUR as a producer and reporter for Only A Game.
During her tenure with Only A Game, Karen has covered the Salt Lake City Olympics and the first regular season NFL game in London, but her most ambitious story to date was a profile of a town in the Rift Valley where most of Kenya’s elite long distance runners live and train. That story, “Kenya’s Fastest Town,” won the 2007 national Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Reporting.
How Boston Public School Sports Have Improved In 4 Years
May 13, 2013
After a scathing report on the state of sports in Boston Public Schools, two community leaders stepped up to pitch in. In Part 1 of a weeklong series, we track the school system’s progress and ask: Is the outside help enough?
One Fund Boston: Lessons From Public Radio
April 25, 2013
In less than two weeks, nearly $24 million has been raised for the One Fund, a charity founded by the City of Boston to help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. But, Only A Game’s Karen Given wonders how much could have been raised, if the charity had followed the example set by public radio.
Sox’ Fenway Sellout Streak Ends
April 10, 2013
BOSTON — With an official attendance figure of 30,862, the Red Sox sellout streak at Fenway Park ended Wednesday night a few thousand short of the ballpark’s 37,500 capacity.
World Synchro Championships Boast 16 Matching Marilyn Monroes
April 06, 2013
The 2013 World Synchronized Skating Championships are being held this weekend in Boston. Only A Game’s Karen Given couldn’t resist the urge to drop in on the rapidly growing sport for a short visit.
High School Boys Gymnastics Fighting For Survival
February 09, 2013
After this season, boys gymnastics will no longer be sanctioned in Massachusetts, leaving just three states that offer the sport at a true varsity level. Proponents of the sport are unhappy with decision. Only A Game’s Karen Given has the story.
Local Dogs Looking For Homes To Star In Puppy Bowl IX
February 03, 2013
BOSTON — The Patriots did not make it to the Super Bowl, but there are some local athletes participating in Sunday’s other big game. Three of the stars of the Puppy Bowl hail from Rhode Island-based Furever Dachshund Rescue.
Puppy Bowl IX: The Cuteness Championship
February 02, 2013
One of the story lines in this weekend’s Super Bowl involves San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was lovingly raised by adoptive parents. It turns out some of the stars of Sunday’s other big game have similar backstories. Only A Game’s Karen Given has our “tail.”
Patriots Lose To Ravens, Out Of Super Bowl Contention
January 21, 2013BOSTON — “We obviously didn’t play very well,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said.
Armstrong’s Confession And The Future Of American Cycling
January 19, 2013
Lance Armstrong has confessed to Oprah, and those who promote American cycling are left to clean up the mess. Only A Game’s Karen Given has our story.
Could Tom Brady Be The Greatest Quarterback Ever?
January 03, 2013
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Some say Tom Brady’s performance this season makes him the choice for league MVP. Is he also the choice for the best QB in NFL history?