Whether you want to have a career in the press box as a writer, be on the sidelines as a photojournalist or feel the excitement covering post-game press conferences as sports information experts, Greenlee’s sports media and communication major opens doors to careers in the growing sports media industry. The Bachelor of Arts degree in sports media and communication prepares you with skills to create compelling content using industry-standard and emerging digital tools.

You’ll kick-off your career immediately with hands-on experience through practicum experiences and graduate with a 300-hour professional internship on your resume. Our faculty are award-winning sports journalists and professionals with real-life experience in sports media.

With access to opportunities through Iowa State athletics, the Big 12 Conference and the Big 12 Network, you can pursue unique hands-on learning right on campus. Our students work with local crews, collaborate with Big 12 Network producers and learn through on-site production facilities in Hilton Coliseum. Popular football pregame shows such as ESPN’s College GameDay and FoxSports Big Noon Kickoff have also aired broadcasts at Jack Trice Stadium.

Our engaged and active alumni network can also help connect you to opportunities in the industry. Greenlee students have interned and/or gone on to careers with major professional sports teams in the NFL, MLB and NBA, NASCAR, college athletic conferences, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, the Iowa High School Athletics Association and various news organizations

Tony Moton

Learning by doing is what makes the sports media major a truly experiential opportunity for students. Whether it’s the broadcast booths, the sidelines or the studios, they get hands-on training from the industry’s best and brightest.

Tony Moton, assistant teaching professor

Experiences

Here, you’ll find your people right away through our Greenlee learning communities. You’ll also have access to plenty of student media clubs and organizations, such as the Sports Media Club, Sports Media Leadership Committee, Sports Analytics Club and more.

Iowa State has over 800 student clubs and organizations, including many sports and recreation clubs that range from ultimate frisbee to pickleball to club basketball. If you love playing sports as well as covering them, there’s plenty of ways to find your fit here!

Career opportunities

As a major in sports media and communication, you unlock exciting careers in a dynamic field in the fast-paced world of sports. You will use all of the skills you have learned in storytelling, media production and strategic communication to engage fans and shape narratives around athletic events and organizations. With hands-on training in broadcasting, writing, social media and public relations, you’ll be well-prepared to excel in an industry where creativity and passion for sports collide. Here are just some examples of the careers you can pursue with a degree in sports media and communication:

  • Sports journalist
  • Sports broadcaster
  • Media relations coordinator
  • Sports marketing specialist
  • Event coordinator
  • Social media manager
  • Sports content producer
  • Athletic communications director

Get to know the LAS Career Services team to help you explore the many career opportunities a degree in advertising can open for you