High school students interested in sports media and communication participated in the inaugural Sports Media and Communication Training Camp in June at Iowa State University’s Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum.
The Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication partnered with Cyclones.tv to offer students a behind-the-scenes day in the life of various sports media professionals.
Students toured the broadcast and public announcer booths throughout Jack Trice Stadium, managed a mock production in the control rooms that run the video board and ESPN+ productions of Iowa State Athletics, and learned how to shoot video with the Iowa State Athletics creative content team that captures the biggest moments in Iowa State Athletics and shares them for the world to see.
“It was a great experience showing the students part of what we do in our Cyclones.tv control rooms. They seemed engaged throughout the entire day, and hopefully we’ve helped in their decision-making process of where to continue their education,” said Jared Calvert, Cyclones.tv assistant director, network production and engineering.
During a luncheon panel, participants heard from Cyclones.tv partners Jared Calvert, Kaitlyn Heier, Justin Wolber and Austin Minnihan; Greenlee Assistant Teaching Professor Tony Moton; graduate student Brock Beirman and “Voice of the Cyclones” John Walters.
“For being the first year of this camp, I was incredibly surprised with the turnout and eagerness from the campers,” said Heier, Cyclones.tv associate director, creative video. “They asked compelling questions. It was equally fun and rewarding to share my experiences with the next generation of sports media professionals.”
The Greenlee School announced a new undergraduate major in sports media and communication earlier this spring following approval from the Iowa Board of Regents after their April meeting. Students may start enrolling in sports media-specific classes starting this fall.
“It takes a lot of talented media professionals within Cyclones.tv to create the content showcasing Iowa State Athletics,” said Michael Dahlstrom, director of the Greenlee School. “The students that joined us for this camp have started their own professional development in sports media that we hope will continue.”
The Greenlee School and Cyclones.tv will offer future Sports Media Training Camps to provide more hands-on and behind the scenes activities for students looking to further their professional conditioning in sports media.
“As a Greenlee alum, it’s just incredible to see opportunities like this and future opportunities that will come with the sports media major,” Calvert said.
The Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication is a top communication program, which offers students a second-to-none adventure from day one. In the classroom, students learn the latest communication trends and methods using the latest technology. Students then practice what they learn through work at student media and involvement in professional organizations. Greenlee’s required professional media internship prepares students to enter the workforce and “hit the ground running.” The Greenlee School has been continuously accredited by the ACEJMC since its initial accreditation in 1948. The Greenlee School offers four majors: journalism and mass communication, advertising, public relations, and sports media and communication.
Cyclones.tv tells the story of Iowa State athletics through digital media and creative content that drives interaction on social media, video board productions and ESPN+ broadcasts for Big 12 fans everywhere.