Verne Lundquist Sports Media Institute in Action
With support from The Headliners Foundation, second UT sports journalism camp hits another home run with Texas high school students
This summer, the Foundation’s Verne Lundquist Sports Media Institute sponsored the second annual sports journalism boot camp for high school students. June 16-18, 27 high school journalism students from across Texas attended the camp, which was hosted by the University of Texas Moody School of Communication Center for Sports Communication & Media. Students enjoyed a true college experience for the weekend, staying in on-campus dorms and meeting in UT classrooms.
The curriculum, which focused on sports journalism and broadcasting, included hands-on experience conducting a mock press conference with real UT coaches and athletes. After interviews with players and athletic staff, each camper gave a live, on-camera stand-up report. Students were coached on script writing and used the experience as an opportunity to hone their reporting skills. The projects were screened and critiqued on the last day of camp, and each participant was given a video of the stand-up report to take home.
Campers were treated to a tour of Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium and the University’s athletic facilities, along with presentations on sports anchoring, reporting from the field, producing iPhone stories, sports podcasting, and how to thrive in the digital age.
Faculty included CBS Austin Sports Director Bob Ballou, CBS Austin Sports Anchor Jeff Barker, Mike Castellucci, professor of practice and artist in residence at Michigan State University, Myah Taylor of the Dallas Morning News, Katey Outka of The Drag Audio Production House, and other industry professionals.
The Keynote Speaker this year was FOX Sports writer Laken Litman, a 2011 graduate of UT’s journalism program and author of Strong Like a Woman: 100 Game-Changing Female Athletes. Campers each received a copy of Litman’s book, which she autographed at a special book-signing.
Mark Morrison, Chair of the Foundation’s Verne Lundquist Sports Media Institute, worked closely with the team at UT to make the camp a reality. “This camp is the culmination of years of collaboration with Verne Lundquist, UT, and the University Interscholastic League,” said Morrison.
The Foundation sponsored the camp with a $20,000 grant, covering the cost of student participation in the program. The contribution was funded by the Foundation’s annual Evening with Verne Lundquist event, which raises money to support programs of the Verne Lundquist Sports Media Institute. Guest speakers at the annual event have included Club member and veteran sports broadcaster Verne Lundquist, CBS Sports’ James Brown, legendary Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Roger Staubach, and golfer-turned-broadcaster Gary McCord.
Many thanks to Kevin Robbins, David Ryfe, and the faculty and staff at the UT Center for Sports Media & Communication for hosting the camp and providing an outstanding experience for the next generation of Texas sports journalists.
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