This fall, students in a new media, journalism and film class will have the chance to learn from one of the nation’s largest sports media conglomerates.
Students to produce broadcasts, commercials
ESPN will air sports broadcasts produced by sports journalism (JRN 300) students on its online streaming service, ESPN3.
Led by MJF Instructor Leonard Horton, 10 to 15 students will produce national coverage for multiple collegiate sports in collaboration with local company Hite Media Services.
Horton, who started teaching at Missouri State in 2013, said his students will be working with graphics and running cameras during live events, where there is little room for error.
“I had to make sure I picked students that were savvy, that knew a little bit about sports and a little bit about how live production works because you don’t get a chance to do it over,” he said.
In addition to live event broadcasts, Horton said the students will produce commercials to run during airtime: “ESPN is giving us free rein to really be creative … within certain guidelines.”
ESPN, MVC partnership brings educational experience
The opportunity comes as a result of the Missouri Valley Conference’s partnership with ESPN to broadcast sporting events from MVC—the athletic conference in which the Bears and nine other schools compete.
The co-branded program, “The Valley on ESPN3,” is part of as part of a 10-year extension of the MVC’s media rights agreement with ESPN. It will provide valuable educational opportunities for students who attend schools in the MVC system, said MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin.
“A key aspect of this new campus-based production model will be the involvement of students in academic programs — broadcast media and journalism majors — providing hands-on experience that will translate to opportunities for our graduates to gain entry into television media,” Elgin said.
Technical, professional aspects help students build resumes
Horton said his students will build graphics, use quality equipment, learn how to tell stories within each sport and more. Professionals in the field will guide them, including Horton — formerly a broadcast journalist — ESPN’s staff and local company Hite Media Services whose team already produces games and commencement ceremonies at MSU.
Students from MVC schools who participate in the ESPN3 programming will also have their resumes moved to the top of the list should they apply for jobs at ESPN after graduation, Horton said.
“This is a 300-level class, but it’s more than worth the money they’re paying for tuition,” he said. “Getting to work with professionals. Getting to work on a live sporting event that’s seen all over the world. It’s a practical experience that you can’t put a price tag on.”
Volleyball first up on list of broadcasted home games
According to Missouri State’s press release viewers can expect to find all home volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball games this fall on the ESPN3 platform.
In subsequent years of the agreement, Missouri State and others will roll out on-campus production of all home men’s soccer, women’s soccer, baseball and softball games as part of the league package, in addition to special programming, features and Olympic sport coverage.
ESPN3 is available for free on U.S. college campuses and military bases.