Pate Named Regional Sports Reporter
Mitchell Pate has been named the Regional Sports Reporter for Texas Local Media. He will be writing weekly sports articles for The Freestone County Recorder-Chronicle, The Mexia News, The Groesbeck Journal, The Cameron Herald, The Thorndale Champion, The Rosebud News, and The Marlin Democrat.
Pate has 25 years of journalism experience. He worked for The Buffalo Express for 18 years. He started out as a sports reporter as an eighth grader at Buffalo Junior High. He went on to become a news reporter and photographer in addition to laying out the newspaper, creating the website, accounts payable and receivable, as well as doing the newspaper route each week.
“The newspaper business is just in my blood,” Pate said. “I absolutely love it. I love being involved in the community and covering all the events.”
Pate joined the team at The Teague Chronicle and The Fairfield Recorder in October 2019. The two newspapers merged in April 2025. He currently covers all the area events in Freestone County for the Freestone County Recorder-Chronicle. He is excited to add Regional Sports Reporter to his title.
“I am looking forward to covering all the area sports in the region,” Pate said. “However, I cannot do it all by myself. If you have anything that would make a great article or a photo from an event, please reach out to me.”
Pate graduated from Buffalo High School and currently resides in Fairfield with his wife, Katy. They celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on November 23.
Pate has his Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies K6th Grade from Texas A&M University and his Master’s in Educational Administration from Lamar University.
Pate teaches fifth-grade math at Fairfield ISD and also drives a bus. Pate also owns a small photography business, Mitch’s Photography.
“It keeps me very busy to say the least, but I wouldn’t change it for anything,” Pate said. “I absolutely love what I do, and I’m looking forward to even doing more this year.” Pate can be reached at news@fcrecorderchronicle. com, sports@themexianews. com, and sports@cameronherald. com.
“We are thrilled to have Mitchell step into the regional sports role,” said Jennifer Paul, Group Editor. “He is already exceptional at what he does, and his strong connections with youth and athletes throughout the area make him a perfect fit. His passion for sports and community will benefit every team and every reader we serve.”