Des Moines Register reporter Tommy Birch writes amazing stories that go beyond the box score

Posted by author January 22, 2025 Sports

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Job: Enterprise and features writer for the sports section.

Years at the Register:  16 years (plus four years as a freelancer for The Register).

I grew up in: Beaverdale.

I live in: Des Moines. We’re on the edge of Beaverdale. Maybe we’re actually in Beaverdale. I say we’re from Beaverdale, though.

I graduated from: Dowling Catholic (when it was just Dowling), DMACC (where I was the leading receiver for my championship flag football team) and Iowa State (where I led my intramural basketball team in technical fouls).

Family:  My wife, Allyson, and I have two boys: Bodie, 6, and Bennett, who turns 1 later this month (everyone wish him a Happy Birthday!)

Email:  tbirch@dmreg.com.

Why journalism? I worked at my high school paper and thought about getting into journalism when I went to college. When I transferred to DMACC from Ellsworth Community College on the first day of school, one of the few classes available was a journalism course. I guess it was fate.

I like my beat because: I get to tell some amazing stories. Sports go so far beyond the box scores and the final scores. It’s so much fun telling the story within the story, with sports often becoming just the background to it. I get to meet some of the most inspiring people in the state that just happen to play sports.

Some of the major stories I’ve covered recently: I’m in the midst of the Iowa State women’s basketball season. I also work on a Register team compiling stories of inspiring people around the state. Oh, and it’s always baseball season in my world.

Some stories I’m working on next: I’m everywhere. You can usually catch me at Hilton Coliseum or the Knapp Center this time of year. But I’ve got some cool stories coming up on the Cyclones and a neat profile for our inspiring stories series.

When I’m not working, I like to: Hang out with my family. You can usually find us at a local park, the Des Moines Children’s Museum at Valley West Mall or Merle Hay Lanes, where Bodie is becoming an avid bowler.

My favorite Iowa haunt: We are regulars at Waveland Cafe (maybe this will help my next bill). The staff has always been so kind to me, my wife and the boys. Plus, nothing beats the breakfast special there.

Fun fact about me: Former Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant once poured water on me as part of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Thankfully I brought a change of clothes to the park that day.