The 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� Dance Team Send-Off鈥� video, directed and edited by Peter Sillitto 鈥�26 and produced in collaboration with the 黑料不打烊 Dance Team, received a Sports Video Group (SVG) College Sports Media Award for Outstanding In-Venue Video 鈥� Collegiate Student Championship. The award was presented May 27 in Atlanta during the 18th annual SVG College Sports Media Awards ceremony.

The honor came just weeks after the 黑料不打烊 Dance Team captured two national titles at the 2026 National Dance Association College National Championships, winning the Division I pom and Division I hip hop competitions. The back-to-back victories marked a historic achievement for the program, including 黑料不打烊鈥檚 first national championship in the pom category.

Produced for the team鈥檚 trip to nationals, the video took a more narrative approach than previous send-off productions.

鈥淧roducing a send-off video is something we do every year, with the final piece being shown in the Schar Center and shared across social media,鈥� said Sillitto, a cinema and television arts major. 鈥淭his year, we wanted to take a more story-driven approach by focusing on the team鈥檚 journey to nationals. Our goal was to showcase not only their performances, but also the hard work, dedication and experiences that led them there.鈥�

In addition to Sillitto, the student production team included Kristen Pearson 鈥�27 and Meghan McGarrigle 鈥�28 as producers; and Zack Golub 鈥�26 and Colin Dorroh 鈥�27 as creative producers and camera operators.

across multiple locations, capturing both cinematic visuals and authentic moments from practices, workouts and team activities.

鈥淥ne of the biggest challenges was making sure we told the team鈥檚 real story, which meant being present and ready to film during genuine moments,鈥� Sillitto said. 鈥淐apturing those authentic interactions and experiences was an important part of the creative process and helped make the final video feel more personal and meaningful.鈥�

For Sillitto, the award reflects months of collaboration and effort from both the dancers and the production crew.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the project because every year our goal is to create the best video possible, and we have a lot of creative freedom to experiment with new ideas and push ourselves creatively,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he final video represents months of hard work from both the dance team and the production crew, so we鈥檙e excited and grateful that the project has been recognized.鈥�

Sillitto graduated from 黑料不打烊 in May and recently accepted a position with Booz Allen Hamilton as a videographer and social media content creator.

Sillitto and Dorroh attended the 2026 SVG College Summit in Atlanta alongside Anthony Bamford 鈥�25, coordinating producer for 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision; Patrick Cunningham, director of live broadcast production for 黑料不打烊 Athletics; and students/recent graduates Philip Doherty 鈥�26, Anthony Eppolito 鈥�27 and Joey Marinello 鈥�28.

This year marked another strong showing for 黑料不打烊 at the national competition 鈥� the university won its first-ever award in 2025. In addition to the winning 黑料不打烊 Dance Team send-off video, four other 黑料不打烊 productions were recognized as finalists in the Collegiate Student Championship division: 鈥淔ootball: 黑料不打烊 vs. North Carolina A&T,鈥� 鈥淪trength Beyond the Game 鈥� Brodie Carroll,鈥� 鈥淲in The Moment 鈥� Asher Cunningham鈥� and 鈥淲hat It Takes 鈥� 黑料不打烊 Men鈥檚 Basketball Halftime Hype.鈥�

On Dec. 6, 2025, day started not in 黑料不打烊, but Charlotte.

By 8 a.m., the 黑料不打烊 senior was already at the Spectrum Center, one of the Queen City鈥檚 marquee entertainment venues, helping with operations for a neutral-site college basketball matchup between Dayton and Virginia. Hours later, she was darting through the tunnels of Bank of America Stadium as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship Game staff, helping coordinate pregame activities, managing an on-field photo experience for youth teams, and assisting with postgame celebrations after Duke鈥檚 dramatic victory over Virginia.

In between, there were meetings, setup responsibilities, logistics and constant communication. The football championship game eventually stretched beyond regulation, adding even more chaos to an already packed day.

For Selikoff, though, the day never felt overwhelming.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 really feel like work because I love what I鈥檓 doing,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding because you ultimately get to see the experience that it brings at the end of the day.鈥�

That whirlwind Saturday last fall captured much of Selikoff鈥檚 黑料不打烊 experience 鈥� ambitious, hands-on and deeply connected to the sport industry she hopes to build a career in after graduation.

A double major in cinema and television arts and sport management, Selikoff arrived at 黑料不打烊 from northern New Jersey already knowing she wanted a university where relationships with professors and classmates grew naturally. After visiting campus during her senior year of high school, the decision came quickly.

鈥淭he second we drove through campus, I told my parents, 鈥業鈥檓 done,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淚 knew this was where I wanted to be.鈥�

Once at 黑料不打烊, she wasted little time getting involved.

Selikoff joined 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision during her first semester and directed her first broadcast before fall break. She also became involved with the Sport Management Society, an organization that shaped much of her college experience, and Women Influencers in Sports. After serving in various leadership roles, she now leads the society as president, helping connect students with industry professionals through networking events, facility tours and guest speakers.

鈥淲hat stands out most about Abby is her ability to pair intellectual curiosity with real-world execution,鈥� said Shaina Dabbs, associate professor and chair in the Department of Sport Management. 鈥淪he is someone who doesn鈥檛 just show up, she fully invests in every opportunity in front of her. Simply put, she says 鈥榶es.鈥� Whether in the classroom, in research, or in the industry, Abby consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a genuine desire to learn.鈥�

Selikoff鈥檚 willingness to embrace opportunity eventually led her to participate in The Sport Experience in Charlotte during fall 2024, where she balanced 18 credit hours with internships at both NASCAR and the ACC.

At NASCAR, she worked with digital products, supporting the organization鈥檚 website, app, fantasy platform and fan rewards program. Simultaneously, she served as a Football Game Day Operations Center intern with the ACC, monitoring games and helping ensure smooth coordination between on-site officials and conference staff in Charlotte.

By the end of the semester, Selikoff had completed more than 500 internship hours.

The experience 鈥撀燼nd her work ethic 鈥撀爋pened the door to additional opportunities with the ACC. Over the next two years, Selikoff worked more than 25 football games while also supporting conference championships and events in basketball, gymnastics, baseball and tennis.

One of her favorite experiences came when the ACC sent her on-site to shadow replay officials during football games at North Carolina and N.C. State, attending pre- and post-game meetings in the process.

鈥淏eing part of those big-game environments was incredible,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚 got to see firsthand the communication between the game officials and Charlotte, and then bring what I learned back into the office.鈥�

Dabbs said Selikoff fully embraced 黑料不打烊鈥檚 experiential learning model.

鈥淎bby is a great example of a student who maximized the 黑料不打烊 experience by intentionally connecting academics with industry opportunities,鈥� Dabbs said. 鈥淲hat is particularly impressive is how she did not treat these as isolated experiences 鈥撀爏he built a cohesive skillset across operations, media and fan engagement.鈥�

Alongside her internships and leadership roles, Selikoff also immersed herself in undergraduate research under the mentorship of Young Do Kim, associate professor of sport management, and Tony Weaver, associate dean in the School of Communications.

Since fall 2023, she has investigated how professional sports organizations market sustainability initiatives and how those efforts shape consumer perceptions, gaining valuable insights into sustainability, marketing and environmental communications. The research led her to complete IRB approval and CITI certification, present at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, and share her findings at the Sport Marketing Association Conference in Arizona. Additionally, she is currently working on a manuscript based on her results.

鈥淚 never thought I would be doing undergraduate research,鈥� Selikoff admitted. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e loved it throughout the entire process.鈥�

Beyond academics and internships, Selikoff credits 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty mentors with helping her grow personally and professionally.

She points to Kim, Dabbs, Weaver and Staci Saltz, chair of the Department of Cinema and Television Arts, as key influences throughout her four years on campus.

鈥淭he Sport Management Department is incredibly close-knit,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚t feels kind of like a family. I can go to professors for anything 鈥撀爓hether it鈥檚 personal or academic 鈥撀燼nd they鈥檝e all had a strong impact on me.鈥�

Fittingly, Selikoff鈥檚 黑料不打烊 experience actually became a family affair when her younger sister, Emily, enrolled at the university two years ago. The two regularly meet for meals, cross paths in the School of Communications, and share many of the same academic interests.

鈥淚t鈥檚 honestly been really great having her here,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like having an extra piece of home.鈥�

After graduation, Selikoff hopes to return to Charlotte and continue building a career in sports media, communications or event operations. Whatever path she ultimately takes, she leaves 黑料不打烊 with the kind of hands-on experience many young professionals spend years trying to find.

arrived at 黑料不打烊 without knowing a single role inside a broadcast control room 鈥� not the technical director, not the replay operator, not even how the production itself came together. Four years later, the cinema and television arts major now operates at the highest level, having stepped into an NHL television broadcast.

鈥淪ince my first year, I鈥檝e tried to immerse myself in 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision as much as possible, attempting to absorb and learn if 1, this is what I wanted to do, and 2, if I found it fun,鈥� Doherty said. 鈥淯ltimately, I fell in love with broadcasting sports.鈥�

That immersion opened the door to a rare opportunity: Doherty served as technical director for a March 12 St. Louis Blues NHL broadcast, managing the live production from a FanDuel remote truck outside Lenovo Center as the show was delivered back to St. Louis. Assistant Professor Max Negin, who worked the same game as a replay operator and editor, said the opportunity reflects just how unique Doherty鈥檚 rise has been.

鈥淚t鈥檚 truly rare for someone this early in their career to work a professional hockey game for a regional network,鈥� Negin said.

Even more remarkable, Negin noted, was how Doherty prepared for the role 鈥� teaching himself to operate one of the industry鈥檚 most complex switchers while learning to manage the pace and precision required at the professional level.

鈥淟earning a very complicated switcher, basically on his own, is something I’ve never heard of anyone doing in my 30-plus years of television,鈥� Negin said. 鈥淏ut beyond the equipment, Philip also was able to build a show and work in a high-pressure environment without making any major mistakes 鈥� again, something that seasoned and very experienced TDs don’t do.鈥�

Doherty鈥檚 path to that moment was built through hands-on experience and initiative. After gaining early experience with 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision and working as a technical director for 黑料不打烊 football broadcasts, he began building connections that opened doors to freelance opportunities on college football broadcasts across ESPN platforms.

鈥淭he biggest thing I learned at 黑料不打烊 isn’t my technical skill, but rather the people skills,鈥� Doherty said. 鈥淏uilding connections and relationships by far has been the most important component. If I hadn’t attempted to talk to people in the real world, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything I have gotten to do.鈥�

Doherty credited a group of 黑料不打烊 mentors and collaborators 鈥� including Quintin Brenner, John Spitznagel, Annika Cronin, Patrick Cunningham and Negin 鈥� for helping him develop his skills and navigate the industry.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 have gotten to where I am today without the people at 黑料不打烊 helping me out along the way.鈥�
鈥� Philip Doherty 鈥�26

Those connections became critical in preparing for his first NHL assignment. After being hired, Doherty reached out to the broadcast鈥檚 director in advance, studying materials and workflows so he could step into the truck prepared.

Instead of focusing on visual flair, he concentrated on the fundamentals 鈥� building the elements needed to get the show on air 鈥� from sponsored segments to in-game transitions.

By the end of the broadcast, the feedback was immediate. Negin said professionals on site 鈥� from crew members to network leadership 鈥� were impressed not only with Doherty鈥檚 performance, but with how seamlessly he operated.

鈥淓veryone involved said he did a great job and wants him back the next time St. Louis comes to town,鈥� the professor said.

For Negin, Doherty鈥檚 trajectory is almost unheard of. 鈥淭o me, this is like an 黑料不打烊 baseball player jumping from Division I baseball games, and within a year, starting in the major leagues and making an all-star team,鈥� he said.

Now, with his first NHL broadcast complete, Doherty sees it as confirmation he鈥檚 on the right path.

鈥淭his NHL show only confirmed that this industry is for me, and I am stoked to continue onward,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 cannot wait to see what comes down the road.鈥�

Live sports may be the last true mass audience in media 鈥� and the future of how fans watch them is rapidly changing. That was the focus of the 2026 Sport Management Symposium, where award-winning sports writer and broadcaster Seth Davis headlined a conversation about the evolving business of live sports.

Held Feb. 25, in Turner Theatre, the annual symposium explored how live sports continue to adjust across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms 鈥� and what those changes mean for leagues, networks and fans. Davis joined the symposium virtually after a blizzard in the Northeast disrupted his broadcast schedule.

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In a wide-ranging conversation with Assistant Professor Bill Squadron, Davis offered students an unfiltered look at how disruption 鈥� from digital media to NIL to legalized sports betting 鈥� is transforming the industry.

Davis reflected on two major inflection points that transformed sports media during his career: the rise of the internet and the advent of the iPhone and social media. He described how legacy media companies were slow to adapt to digital distribution models, fundamentally altering the economics of journalism. Yet despite rapid technological change 鈥� and the emergence of artificial intelligence 鈥� Davis emphasized that the fundamentals of storytelling endure.

鈥淭here is still an appetite, particularly in the world of sports, for compelling programming and good storytelling,鈥� he said.

He also addressed the growing challenge of misinformation and AI-generated content, noting that journalism has never been more important as audiences navigate an increasingly fragmented information ecosystem.

Turning to college athletics, Davis described the NIL and transfer portal era as a 鈥渕ass disruption,鈥� shaped by long-standing legal vulnerabilities in the NCAA model. He discussed how expanded athlete compensation and annual free agency have made programs more transactional, complicating roster stability and culture-building while also increasing athletes鈥� earning power and freedom.

Davis also addressed the normalization of legalized sports betting and its impact on media coverage. Once referenced subtly during broadcasts, betting lines and odds are now openly discussed, creating new revenue streams while raising new ethical and regulatory questions for leagues and media companies alike.

Throughout the conversation, Davis returned to a central theme for students preparing to enter the industry: adaptability matters, but strong reporting is essential. In a media landscape crowded with podcasts and commentary, he urged aspiring professionals to focus on credibility and expertise.

鈥淏ecome a good reporter, become an expert, develop your sources, develop your traction in the space, and you got a chance to stand out and move forward,鈥� Davis said.

The symposium continued with two expert panels that examined the industry from league, network and technology perspectives.

The first panel, 鈥淟eague TV Rights Strategy in a Shifting Media Landscape,鈥� featured Tyler McBride of the Atlantic Coast Conference, sports media consultant John Kosner and Sports Business Journal reporter Austin Karp. The discussion centered on the delicate balance leagues must strike between revenue and reach as traditional cable subscriptions decline and streaming platforms multiply.

The panelists emphasized that media rights negotiations are no longer solely about dollars. Exposure, demographic reach and production quality now play critical roles in determining the right partner.

Framing live sports as the industry鈥檚 last true mass audience driver, Kosner made the stakes clear: 鈥淵ou can’t be in the advertising business going forward, if you’re not big in sports,鈥� he said.

The group also examined the growing influence of technology companies in the sports rights marketplace. While legacy networks once relied heavily on subscriber bundles, streaming platforms operate under different economic models, with advertising and global scale driving long-term strategy. Panelists noted that must-have properties 鈥� such as the NFL, NBA and major college football 鈥� continue to command escalating fees, while mid-tier and regional properties face growing pressure in an increasingly selective marketplace.

The second panel, 鈥淭ech Companies, Streaming and Sports Content,鈥� shifted the focus to distribution, content creation and the changing nature of sports media careers. Media executive and journalist Michele Steele, former Amazon Prime Video sports strategy executive Michael Morris and 黑料不打烊 alumnus Alex Day 鈥�16 shared perspectives from traditional broadcast, streaming and digital-first content environments.

Panelists explored how streaming platforms and social media have lowered barriers to entry while simultaneously increasing competition. Steele described the ongoing shift away from linear television, noting that sports remain one of the few forms of content that consistently drive live audiences. Morris provided insight into how tech companies evaluate sports rights as part of broader entertainment and advertising strategies.

Day,聽a rising voice in New York sports media, offered a firsthand account of building a career at the intersection of social media, brand partnerships and live sports coverage, explaining that content creators are increasingly operating as independent media brands.

鈥淭here鈥檚 not a great barrier to entry right now, so you have to come up with some creative ideas to do it a little bit differently, get people engaged,鈥� Day said, encouraging students to differentiate themselves in a crowded digital landscape.

A former 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision (ESV) student crew member, Bamford was recently named the initiative鈥檚 coordinating producer, overseeing live broadcasts of 黑料不打烊 Athletics events while working closely with students as they develop technical, creative and leadership skills.

鈥淚 was interested in the coordinating producer role because I saw firsthand what the role entailed while I was an undergrad and the seasonal diversity across the men’s and women’s sports,鈥� Bamford said. 鈥淓SV provided me with a wonderful opportunity to learn all aspects of sports broadcasting. I experienced everything from camera operation, to replay, to producing and directing a live broadcast 鈥撀燼nd I hope to offer the same for current and future students.鈥�

Following his graduation in May, Bamford gained professional experience as the director of multimedia for the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), responsible for the coordination and improved production of the league鈥檚 streaming efforts. The position placed him in charge of remote broadcasts, collaborating with schools and announcers nationwide.

鈥淢y role at the CWPA taught me how to work in extremely fast-paced environments while managing multiple projects,鈥� he said.

Bamford鈥檚 professional background 鈥� and the mentorship mindset he brings to the role 鈥� stood out to Bryan Baker, the School of Communications鈥� director of technology, operations and multimedia projects.

鈥淎nthony was a terrific student at 黑料不打烊 who consistently took full advantage of the opportunities offered by the School of Communications,鈥� Baker said. 鈥淗is background in sport management, media analytics, journalism, and as an ESV student producer uniquely positions him to be an outstanding mentor to students in his new role.鈥�

A native of Royersford, Pa., Bamford brings experience from professional and collegiate sports operations. During his semester in The Sport Experience in Charlotte, he served as an Atlantic Coast Conference Football and Game Day Operations Center intern, including managing a 30-member volunteer staff at the 2023 ACC Football Championship Game. He has also worked as a game operations intern for the Durham Bulls of the International League and as a producer/broadcaster for Pottstown Community Television.

In addition to his production experience, Bamford completed undergraduate research through the university鈥檚 Sports Media Lab, conducting a qualitative analysis of sports gambling, pirating and social media consumption. The results of that research were published in the Sports Business Journal.

Looking ahead, Bamford plans to build on ESV鈥檚 tradition of high-quality broadcasts while emphasizing student development. And Bamford and ESV are starting from a good position 鈥� the organization captured its first-ever College Sports Media Award last spring.

鈥淚 would love to continue and expand ESV’s legacy of producing professional-level broadcasts for college athletics,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s a student, I was a member of a crew that won an award at SVG. As the coordinating producer, I want to make that the expectation for our future broadcasts.鈥�

About 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision

黑料不打烊 Sports Vision provides students with hands-on experience in broadcasting, content creation, sports marketing and in-venue productions for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 NCAA Division I athletic department. Launched in 2017, ESV works closely with 黑料不打烊 Athletics to deliver live coverage of university sporting events with professional production standards. As coordinating producer, Bamford oversees a team of nearly 60 student employees and manages the execution of broadcasts across camera work, audio, graphics, live commentary and sideline reporting.

Award-winning sports writer and broadcaster Seth Davis will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Sport Management Symposium, bringing his nationally recognized voice and deep experience in sports media to campus for a featured conversation on the future of live sports coverage.

The symposium will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 4:15 to 6:30 p.m. in Turner Theatre and will examine how live sports continue to evolve across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms 鈥� and what those changes mean for leagues, networks and fans. 黑料不打烊 community members, including students, faculty and staff, are all encouraged to attend. Off-campus community members are also welcome, but they are asked to reserve a (free) ticket beforehand.

A longtime fixture on CBS Sports鈥� studio coverage of college basketball and the NCAA Tournament, Davis is one of the most visible and influential figures in sports media today. He is also the founder of Hoops HQ, a digital media company focused on college basketball, and currently serves as managing editor for college basketball at The Athletic. Across television, print and digital platforms, Davis has spent decades shaping national conversations about sports and media.

The keynote will be presented as a live conversation with Bill Squadron, assistant professor of sport management.

鈥淪eth Davis has had a front-row seat to nearly every major shift in sports media over the last two decades,鈥� Squadron said. 鈥淔rom linear television to streaming to direct-to-consumer models, he understands both the business and the storytelling side of the industry. Having him on campus gives our students a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who is helping define where live sports media is headed.鈥�

Two expert panels will follow the keynote discussion.

The first panel, 鈥淟eague TV Rights Strategy in a Shifting Media Landscape,鈥� will explore how leagues and rightsholders are navigating increasingly complex media arrangements. Panelists include Tyler McBride of the Atlantic Coast Conference, sports media consultant John Kosner, and Sports Business Journal reporter Austin Karp, whose collective experience spans pro and college media strategies, the digital transformation and coverage of major rights deals across television and streaming platforms.

The second panel, 鈥淭ech Companies, Streaming and Sports Content,鈥� will focus on the growing role of social media and technology companies in shaping sports distribution and fan engagement. Participants include former Amazon Prime Video sports strategy executive Michael Morris, media executive and journalist Michele Steele, and Alex Day 鈥�16, an 黑料不打烊 alumnus who has emerged as a prominent voice in New York sports media. Day, who built a large following through digital-first content and now works with outlets including the YES Network, represents a new generation of sports broadcasters building careers across social, streaming and traditional platforms.

Hosted by 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Department of Sport Management, the annual symposium connects students with industry leaders to examine real-world trends shaping sports, media and fan engagement. Past keynote speakers have included ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, former NASCAR President Steve Phelps, and former NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith.

Students gained a clearer view of the sport industry last week as the School of Communications hosted its annual Women in Sports (WINS) Forum. The Nov. 14 event, shaped by the belief that industry professionals 鈥渂ring authenticity, lived experience and context,鈥� offered what Associate Professor of Sport Management Shaina Dabbs calls conversations that 鈥渄emystify the sport landscape.鈥�

Built around the theme 鈥淪port. Strategy. Success. Shaping the Industry through Business, Brand and Community,鈥� the forum brought together sport professionals, alumnae and students for discussions about the trends and challenges influencing the field today. The 2025 gathering continued the school鈥檚 tradition of connecting students with leaders who shape sport culture, business and community.

Interested in photos from the WINS Forum? .

The program in Turner Theatre opened with 鈥淢onetizing Momentum: The New Era of Women鈥檚 Sports,鈥� a panel examining how women鈥檚 sports are redefining the business of athletics and driving new growth in media, sponsorship and fan engagement. The conversation featured Leela Srinivasan (Parity), Sara Toussaint (NC Courage & TMJ), Jen猫 Baclawski (USA Football), and moderator Jenn Azara (Sports Business Journal).

Building on that discussion, WINS undergraduate students delivered a fast-paced research spotlight, titled 鈥淐licks to Crowds: How Social Media Fuels the Rise of Women鈥檚 Sports.鈥� Under Azara鈥檚 guidance, students have explored how social media helps build audiences and awareness for emerging women鈥檚 leagues and teams.

The day鈥檚 final panel, 鈥淒riving Impact: Activation, Storytelling, and Strategy in Sport Marketing,鈥� shifted the focus to how organizations use partnerships, narrative and creative activation to reach fans and shape brand identity. Alma Angeles-Parvaz (NASCAR); Miranda Thorpe (ESPN); and Amanda Weaver (Winston-Salem Dash) joined moderator Kyle Lubrano of Ankored.

Earlier in the afternoon, participants gathered for 鈥淭he Charlotte Effect: How Brands, Talent, and Community Drive the Sport Business Ecosystem,鈥� a Lunch with Leaders session that explored the region鈥檚 expanding influence on sport business and set the tone for the conversations that followed.

鈥淭he sport industry is broad, dynamic, and continually evolving, yet many students struggle to see how their skills and interests align with the opportunities available,鈥� Dabbs said. 鈥淗earing real stories, insights and challenges from industry professionals helps them recognize that success is rarely linear and that the sport ecosystem thrives on a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.鈥�

WINS students played a central role in planning and hosting the event. Dabbs noted that they helped shape the forum鈥檚 vision, coordinated logistics, and welcomed guests, making the day feel organized, personal and student-driven. She also highlighted the partnership with the Sport Management Society, which supports communication and student engagement efforts.

For Dabbs, the event鈥檚 impact comes from the collective energy in the room 鈥撀爏tudents asking thoughtful questions, alumni returning to support the next generation, and industry guests sharing candid experiences.

鈥淲hat I enjoy most is the energy 鈥撀爐he intersection of curiosity, confidence, and connection,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he forum is a space where students see their future reflected back at them.鈥�

loves going to the ballpark. And Minor League Baseball has taken notice.

The Biloxi Shuckers broadcaster and media relations manager has been , an honor recognizing the top Minor League Baseball employee under 25. The award was announced Oct. 6 at the MiLB Awards Show during the league鈥檚 annual Business Summit in Indianapolis.

For Blake, who earned several national accolades as an 黑料不打烊 undergraduate, the award caps a rapid rise through the professional baseball ranks. Since joining the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers three seasons ago, he鈥檚 become one of the sport鈥檚 most promising young voices 鈥撀爇nown for his passion, professionalism and storytelling on the mic and behind the scenes.

鈥淚t was really special to be acknowledged by my peers,鈥� said Blake, following the award ceremony. 鈥淚 was a finalist last year and didn鈥檛 win, so to get this recognition this time means a lot. All of us in Minor League Baseball put in an unbelievable number of hours during the season, so it鈥檚 rewarding to see hard work recognized.鈥�

After graduating early following 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Winter Term 鈥撀爅ust in time for the start of the 2023 season 鈥撀燘lake joined the Shuckers as a broadcasting and media relations assistant and quickly made an impression. When an unexpected opportunity elevated him to lead broadcaster, he didn鈥檛 hesitate. His steady voice, sharp preparation and ability to connect with fans helped make him an integral part of the organization.

In addition to calling games, Blake oversees press releases, game notes, postgame recaps and the team鈥檚 annual media guide. He coordinates player interviews and community appearances, produces graphics and features for social media, and manages the club鈥檚 website. Under his direction, the Shuckers have seen measurable growth online, including聽a 70% increase in engagement with player-content posts. The team also ranks among the Southern League鈥檚 top performers in impressions and video views on X 鈥� formerly Twitter 鈥� despite being its smallest market.

Blake鈥檚 鈥淪huckers On Deck鈥� pregame show has been applauded for blending insider storytelling with fan giveaways and sponsor highlights, offering a behind-the-scenes look at players鈥� personalities and routines. He also engineers all radio broadcasts, builds commercial inventories and creative audio elements, and secures partnerships that fully fund the team鈥檚 broadcast operations. His efforts recently produced a five-year broadcast extension through 2030.

鈥淛avik鈥檚 value to the Shuckers organization cannot be overstated,鈥� said Hunter Reed, general manager of the Biloxi Shuckers. 鈥淲e have a strong history of great people in this role, but he has elevated every aspect of operations in broadcasting, social media and media relations. He鈥檚 truly a special talent and individual.鈥�

Off the field, Blake is dedicated to fostering the next generation of storytellers. He mentors student broadcasters and launched the Junior Journalism and Junior Broadcaster programs, which give Gulf Coast students hands-on experience with interviews, photography and live production. He also partners with Gulfport High School鈥檚 sports broadcasting class, guiding students as they build their own broadcasts.

鈥淭his award is the culmination of so many different experiences and opportunities that I鈥檓 so thankful for,鈥� said Blake in his award release. 鈥淭here are so many things that go into doing the job outside of just showing up and calling a game, and there are a lot of people to thank who have had a part in getting me to this point.鈥�

The stories poured out quickly 鈥� of 80 cold calls a day in the Bronx, of late nights tearing down hospitality tents in Minnesota, of navigating the chaos of a rain-delayed baseball broadcast in Atlanta. For the students headlining the 2025 Sport Management Internship Forum, the details weren鈥檛 always glamorous, but they were real. And that was the point.

Hosted on Sept. 29 in Turner Theatre and the Snow Family Grand Atrium, the annual forum brought together students to share their summer internship experiences with organizations across the sport industry. The highlight of the annual event was a student panel moderated by Sport Management Society president Abby Selikoff 鈥�26, featuring seniors Sasha Barnett ’26 (New York Islanders), Jack D鈥橢milia ’26 (New York Yankees), Sever Gregory ’26 (Duke Athletics), Scott Katz ’26 (NBC Universal/Comcast), Shelby Keel ’26 (ProLinks Sports 鈥� 3M Open) and Sam Chairman ’26 (SeventySix Capital).

鈥淭onight is our chance to showcase what they have accomplished 鈥� real projects, real responsibilities and real growth,鈥� said Shaina Dabbs, chair of the Department of Sport Management. 鈥淚t is also an opportunity for future interns to learn about potential opportunities, ask questions, and build connections that can lead to their next role.鈥�

For more photos of the internship forum, .

Panelists discussed the unexpected challenges, such as physical demands and extensive time on the phone, and the skills developed, like communication, decision-making and networking. The forum emphasized the importance of professionalism and maintaining connections for future career growth.

A few common pieces of advice rose to the surface:

• Maintain relationships with fellow interns, as they may become future colleagues.
• Stay in touch with internship contacts and leverage connections for future opportunities.
• Apply for jobs and internships proactively, and don’t be afraid to reach out to make connections.

Students reflected on how their internships revealed the realities of the industry. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 really process the fact that almost every sport job application requires you to lift 50 pounds,鈥� said Keel, who interned with the 3M Open, a professional golf tournament in Minnesota on the PGA Tour. 鈥淚 quickly realized that setting up and tearing down event spaces is just as important to tournament operations as the work behind a desk.鈥�

For some, the grind of the work wasn鈥檛 always physical. 鈥淚 was making 80 to 100 cold calls a day,鈥� said D鈥橢milia, who interned with the Yankees. 鈥淚t was a really tough job, but I gained confidence, improved my communication, and realized how important sales and fan engagement are to a team鈥檚 success.鈥�

Katz, who interned with NBC Universal and the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast team, emphasized the importance of networking in everyday settings. He noted that some of his most valuable connections came from casual conversations in the press box cafeteria, where he made a point to sit with directors, producers and longtime Phillies staff to learn from their experiences. Katz also stressed that small gestures, like greeting colleagues by name, go a long way in leaving a positive impression and building lasting professional relationships.

The five panelists all emphasized that the relationships built during internships are just as valuable as the skills gained.

鈥淭hese internships exist for a reason,鈥� said Barnett, who worked in digital marketing with the New York Islanders. 鈥淭hey want to mentor us and help us learn. Saying 鈥榶es鈥� to opportunities and building connections with colleagues and supervisors is just as important as completing the work itself.鈥�

The forum concluded with informational tables and networking in the Snow Family Grand Atrium, giving underclassmen a chance to connect with returning student interns and discuss their summer experiences.

2025 Student Internships

Ahmarion McLeod 鈥撀牶诹喜淮蜢� Athletics
Alex Goldglit 鈥撀燰aynerSports
Alli Gerson 鈥撀燣ancaster Storm
Anthony Martin 鈥撀牶诹喜淮蜢� Athletics – Football
Avi Hurwitz 鈥撀燰alley Golf Course
Ben Bronstein 鈥撀燱inston-Salem Dash
Bernardo Vargas-Lopez 鈥撀燙OTA (Circuit of the Americas)

Cameron Dunn 鈥撀燘ristol Blues
Carlos Levy Lanado 鈥撀燢appers 507 Sportsbook
Caroline Kemp 鈥撀燗ll Star Sports Academy
Carson Pron 鈥撀牶诹喜淮蜢� Athletics
Cecil Munshin 鈥撀燞ealthFitness
Colin Foil 鈥撀燨vertime Athletics
Daniel Jaegar 鈥撀燬tars Agency
Eddie Klima 鈥撀燩hiladelphia Eagles
Emerson Baker 鈥撀燘urlington Sock Puppets
Evan Bennet 鈥撀燚uke Athletics
Ian Wolk 鈥撀燱ashington Nationals
Isabella Marconi 鈥撀燯SA Football
Ishmel Atkins 鈥撀牶诹喜淮蜢� Athletics – Tickets
Jacob Blank 鈥撀燛LOA
Jacob Zik 鈥撀燤ets Camps
Jack D鈥橢milia 鈥撀燦ew York Yankees
Jonah Grossman 鈥撀燘IP Wealth
Justin Helberg 鈥撀燬occer Shots
Lev Olsberg 鈥撀燝reensboro Grasshoppers
Lily Nordheimer 鈥撀燱asserman
Lucy McAfee 鈥撀燗tlantic Coastal Conference
Luke Silpe 鈥撀燡oe Favorito Communications
Maddy Baird 鈥撀燱inston-Salem Dash
Maraja Pass 鈥撀牶诹喜淮蜢� Athletics
Mark Kelleher 鈥撀燝ranite TeleCommunications
Matthew Meck 鈥撀燩erfect Game
Natalia Macphail 鈥撀燘entley College
Noah Grossman 鈥撀燱estchester Soccer Club
Oliver Wolk 鈥撀燱ashington Nationals
Patrick Costin 鈥撀燘rockton Rox
Robby Fleisher 鈥撀燜ront Runner Sports
Ryan Dorfman 鈥撀燞arris County 鈥� Houston Sports Authority
Ryan Pleasants聽 鈥撀牶诹喜淮蜢� Athletics – Development
Sam Chairman聽 鈥撀燬eventySix Capital
Sam Miller 鈥� Bourne Braves
Sam Miller 鈥撀燦C Fusion
Sasha Barnett 鈥撀燦ew York Islanders
Scott Katz 鈥� NBC Universal (Comcast)
Senqua Alsobrooks 鈥撀牶诹喜淮蜢� Athletics
Sever Gregory 鈥撀燚uke Athletics
Shelby Keel 鈥撀燩ro Links Sports 鈥� 3M Open
Will Nance 鈥撀燙arolina Core FC
Will Spoto 鈥撀� Avenue Capital Group
Will Wranek 鈥撀燩hoenix Club
Wyatt Zsiga 鈥撀燩ortland Sea Dogs
Zoe Chepenik 鈥撀燗merican Cornhole League

For Katz, this summer has been a masterclass in sports broadcasting. Each day at Citizens Bank Park 鈥撀爋r Wells Fargo Center when the Phillies are on the road 鈥撀爃e shadows a different role within the Phillies broadcast team, observing how some of the best professionals in the industry operate under the pressure of live television.

鈥淚 still can鈥檛 believe I鈥檓 here,鈥� Katz said. 鈥淓very day, I pinch myself knowing how lucky I am to call this place home for the summer.鈥�

While Katz鈥檚 main responsibility is to learn, he鈥檚 also completing a research project as part of his internship requirement at 黑料不打烊, examining how sports betting is shaping real-time storytelling.

The rising senior has regularly picked the brains of the Phillies broadcasting crew about what the future of storytelling might look like. Additionally, he conducted an in-depth interview with a Cincinnati Reds producer who broadcasts for FanDuel Sports Network. During the conversation, they discussed sports betting and sports storytelling, what it means to be on a FanDuel-branded network, and even Elly De La Cruz鈥檚 abilities as a defender. Katz hopes to gather more industry perspectives before compiling his final presentation.

Networking has been another summer highlight. Katz said Citizens Bank Park鈥檚 press box cafeteria 鈥撀爁amous among reporters for its food 鈥撀爃as become a great place to trade stories and build relationships with respected voices in the industry. He鈥檚 already shared conversations with MLB writer Howard Megdal, members of the San Diego Padres broadcast team, and the Chicago Cubs play-by-play announcer. He even makes a point to chat with the performer behind the Phillie Phanatic mascot before games 鈥� just one more way to connect with everyone involved in the production.

Katz said he always carries business cards, determined that anyone he meets leaves with one.

The internship aligns perfectly with Katz鈥檚 career ambitions. His ultimate dream? Directing the Super Bowl 鈥� the broadcast of all sports broadcasts. 鈥淥nly about 10 or 12 people have ever done that,鈥� Katz said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 learning so much about storytelling and handling chaos in the moment that I really believe nothing can stop me.鈥�

Looking back on his own internship search, Katz offers simple advice: 鈥淎pply to everything you can, greet people by name, and smile.鈥�

Katz landed his Phillies internship through SmartRecruiters.com, beating out hundreds of other applicants, and he explained that perseverance makes all the difference. 鈥淥ne person taking a chance on you can change everything,鈥� he said.