Here at Sox On 35th, we boast a talented and passionate group of contributors that provides coverage all year long. To help you get familiar with our staff, we will be rolling out our “Meet the Team” article series throughout the offseason. In this edition, we get to know our Dwayne Banks Jr.
About Me
Hi! My name is Dwayne Banks Jr., and I am a photographer here at Sox On 35th. My origin story stems back to the South Side of Chicago. During my childhood, I played and watched a multitude of sports but the sport that I gravitated to was baseball. My household, especially my dad, were diehard White Sox fans. From father-son and friends days to the ballpark, I can attest that I inherited a generation of White Sox fandom.
I was an artistic kid growing up. I started tracing images from the internet. That rabbit hole led me to draw and sketch. In high school, I danced in a few winter and spring recitals. At one point, I played the saxophone. Despite all of these forms of expression, the one medium that stuck with me to this day is photography.
As a Christmas present in 2016, I was gifted a point-and-shoot camera. Ironically, I wanted to be a vlogger; however, that changed when I took my camera around Chicago and photographed high school performances, live sports events, downtown Chicago and professional sporting events. I didn’t take photography seriously until I stumbled upon a legendary White Sox photographer on Instagram. Since then, I have not looked back.
I went to Illinois State University beginning in 2018. I pursued photography (a hobby), mainly sports photography. I shot almost all sports but as you guessed, baseball was the primary one I enjoyed photographing. This passion gave me a sense of direction as a sports photographer and multimedia content creator.
I graduated from Illinois State University with a BS in History and double minors in African American Studies and Political Science in the Spring of ‘22. Afterward, I joined the talented page known as Sox On 35th. To be part of a team that strives to bring White Sox fandom to the forefront has been incredible. I am always fascinated by the analytical brains, deep dives, and visuals discussed and produced by the Sox On 35th crew. I can’t wait to capture more in-game coverage and document the potential highs of this ballclub which we call the Chicago White Sox.
If you see me, come and say hi! I am looking forward to seeing you around the ballpark!
Fast Facts
- Page Role: Photographer
- Hometown: Chicago, IL
- Current Town: Bloomington-Normal, IL (and frequent trips to Chicago)
- Education/Major: Illinois State University – History; double minor: African American Studies and Political Science
Baseball Fandom
- Favorite White Sox Player: Past – Jim Thome, Current – Eloy Jiménez
- Favorite non-White Sox Player: Past – Buster Posey, Current – Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. It’s something about their unorthodox batting stances, mannerisms, consistency, and “let your work do the talking” attitude that makes me admire these players.
- Favorite Thing About Being a White Sox Fan: The fandom, no doubt. Passionate diehard fans who love the White Sox and the game of baseball makes the experience enjoyable in person, on tv, and on social media.
- Least Favorite Baseball Team: Locally, the Chicago Cubs. Within the AL Division, the Minnesota Twins. Outside the Division, the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees.
- Favorite White Sox Uniform: City Connect Jersey
- “Mount Rushmore” of White Sox Players: Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Mark Buehrle, and Frank Thomas
- Favorite In-Person White Sox Memory: It’s a tossup between Opening Day in ‘18 (my first opening day, I got an early dismissal from one of my classes in high school), and in ‘22 (my most recent one, I missed work on purpose).
- Least Favorite In-Person White Sox Memory: June 8th, 2022. I was with my friends that graduated with me and the Sox fell to the Dodgers 1-4. The game was unwatchable after the Dodgers’ offense got rolling.
- Favorite Baseball Movie: The Sandlot
- Favorite Baseball Stat: OPS
- Favorite Ballpark Food: Bouna’s Italian Beef
- Favorite Ballpark: Busch Stadium
- Ballpark You Want to Visit: Definitely Oracle Park and Fenway Park
- All-time Favorite Broadcaster Call: The ‘09 Perfect Game
Personal Questions
- Favorite TV Show: Stranger Things
- Dream Job: Live Content Creator for MLB/Chicago White Sox
- Favorite Hobbies: Photography, hanging out with friends, cooking, reading, skateboarding, video games, going on adventures, traveling, singing
- Favorite Cartoon Character: So many but Optimus Prime
- Dream Vacation: Kyoto, Japan
- Favorite Professional Team Aside from Baseball: Chicago Bulls
- Favorite Personal Sports Moment: Derrick Rose’s game-winner buzzer against the Cavs in 2015
- Favorite Band/Artist: The Valley
- Favorite season?: Fall
- If you were to choose to play in the Olympics, what sport would you participate in?: Archery
Follow Me
- Twitter: @dshooter_
- Instagram: @d.shooter_
