She is an anomaly in her high-profile, fast-lane business.
For more than 30 years, Tampa’s Gayle Sierens has been on air with WFLA-TV, Channel 8 – the last 23 as a news co-anchor. Such longevity is uncommon.
The Tampa Catholic grad, now 53, is the friendly, “aw shucks” girl next door who made it big in her hometown. Such scenarios are rare, especially when your home city is the hub of one of the biggest media markets in the country.
And it helps explain why Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio designated a “Gayle Sierens Day” last year.
“The people of this community have watched her grow up on TV – get married, have three children,” explains Iorio. “She is part of our community’s personality, a part of what makes us feel collectively like a family.”
Only this family favorite is on local TV twice nightly, five nights a week. She’s the one who’s covered presidents, a pope, a Super Bowl and a Stanley Cup. The one who has become an avatar of empathy to viewers who know the news is rarely nice.
“There are prettier and probably smarter,” says Sierens. “But at the end of the day, it’s really about trust and a comfort level. I look for ways to say ‘Here’s how it might affect you.’ There are stories where you can give voice to the voiceless.”
And yet her off-air presence in the community arguably has even more impact. And it’s a lot more than those ubiquitous Sierens sightings at Publix that turn heads and turn into ad hoc aisle “reunions” with folks she’s never met.
Anyone who’s ever been touched by the Judeo-Christian Health Clinic, the Salvation Army, the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Greater Tampa, the Child Abuse Council, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Joshua House, the Holocaust Museum or the Girl Scouts West Central Florida, knows that Sierens is more than a “TV personality.” She’s emceed countless luncheons and fund-raising galas and sits on a myriad of boards. She’s also been on the receiving end of both the JCHC’s and the Holocaust Museum’s “Humanitarian of the Year” awards.
“Gayle is such a special gift to our community,” underscores Sylvia Campbell, M.D., the president of JCHC. “She gives so much of herself, both heart and soul, to anyone in need.”
Sierens and her husband of 21 years, Mike Martin, routinely open their Tampa home for meetings of Young Life, a Christian ministry for kids. Their three teenagers, Cameron, Luke and Maddie, are participants.
Gayle, Mike and family also take Christian activism on the road. Last summer they spent 10 days in Arusha, Tanzania, helping to build a youth center — and cross-cultural bridges — as part of their Young Life commitment. And Mike, the owner of “Mike’s Pies,” is a key culinary cog in “A Helping Hand,” a monthly dinner for vets (who have suffered head trauma) and their families at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital.
They are now hard-pressed to find the time to use their get-away home in the North Georgia gated community of Big Canoe. The beach doesn’t beckon for the fair-skinned Sierens.
“She doesn’t just lend her name,” says long-time friend and former WFLA colleague Suzanne Bates. “She’s been in charge of capital campaigns. She’s way beyond what most busy people with careers could do. She has the energy of 10 people.”
Sometimes that energy is expended on Bayshore Boulevard, where Sierens can be found several mornings a week briskly walking with a bunch of girlfriends. At least weekly the athletic, 5’9″ Sierens will be at Palma Ceia Country Club playing golf.
Then there are the “therapy/workout” sessions around her spacious, Cape Cod-style house in South Tampa. Mike mows the lawn; she’s the constant gardener. And Sierens highly recommends using a post-hole digger for a “great, upper-body workout.”
Her front yard would do an English country garden justice. Meticulous and colorful, it typically features her two flowering favorites: pansies and geraniums.
“Sure, it’s therapy,” acknowledges Sierens. “It makes me happy. I like to see what I can create. And, yes, I like being sweaty and dirty.”
To neighbors in her Bayshore Beautiful neighborhood, the Sierens’ spadework is a cosmetic bonus. Gayle and Mike’s place is better known as the go-to house for couples’ dinner parties and all manner of social gatherings — especially when there is a game involved. Sports is huge in the Martin household.
Mike is a former linebacker at the University of Kentucky and was drafted by the Chicago Bears. In a previous incarnation Gayle, a Florida State University grad, had been a sports reporter and anchor. Swimming was her best sport in high school.
Their kids are all student-athletes. Cam now plays football for Michigan State University and Luke played for Plant High School last season. Maddie is an All-State and All-American volleyball player at Plant.
“Their house is like a community house,” says neighbor Lisa Jacobson. “They host all kinds of things. And they don’t cater. They both cook.
“What’s important to know about Gayle,” adds Jacobson, “is that she’s authentic. She’s a great girlfriend to have – and she’s absolutely passionate about her family.”
A passion that’s fortified with a strong sense of discipline.
“You do the best you can,” says Sierens. “Our lives are going every which way. We try to sit down and have a family dinner (7:30) at least twice a week. Sometimes I have to remind them (kids) that’s it’s their role to ask; they don’t tell. I’m not their best friend, but we probably have our ‘best friend’ moments.
“I love what I do,” underscores Sierens. “It’s just not the number one thing in my life. That would be kind of empty. But don’t get me wrong. To make your living in your home town is a blessing.”
Gayle Sierens joined NBC affiliate WFLA in 1977 as a sports reporter and weekend anchor. In 1985 she was promoted to news co-anchor with Bob Hite. She has won Florida Emmy Awards in both sports and news. In 1987 she became the first woman to do play-by-play for a National Football League game.
*”‘The baseball team lost today’ was as bad as it got in sports. News was serious. I had to work harder to know the material better.”
*”Sometimes the news is overwhelming. It’s hard to shake. You’re not human if you just walk out after work. I turn the radio off in the car and reflect. Or pray.”
* “Barely a day goes by when there isn’t a story about something or someone I know. You have to work at neutrality.”
*”On the weekends, I’m off the clock.” – Gayle Sierens*”Mike and I split the cooking. He’s the real cook. He does spices. I cook the basics. The crock pot is my friend.” – Gayle Sierens
*”I stress to my kids that you can either be a giver or a taker in life. And you want to be a giver.” – Gayle Sierens
*”‘Mr.Sierens?’ I get that all the time. It doesn’t bother me. I knew that going in. And I get to be her escort to all kinds of things.” – Mike Martin
*”We still love each other madly. Family always comes first. We never waver.” – Mike Martin
*”We were on our honeymoon and somebody recognized her at the Arc de Triomphe.” – Mike Martin
*”She never meets strangers, and people are always recognizing her. We were in the Bahamas and somebody knew her.” – Maddie Martin
*”It’s kind of cool when everybody knows your mom. But sometimes it can take like an hour after church because she has to say hello to everybody. She won’t stop talking.” – Luke Martin