Broadcast journalism students partner with ESPN
When the Carolina men’s basketball team took on UNC-Asheville at the Dean Dome on Jan. 9, the athletes weren’t the only students on the floor honing their skills.
A crew of 16 UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication students joined the ESPN production team to cover the game between the Tar Heels and the Bulldogs that aired on ESPNU.
Four of the school’s students appeared on air – one as an announcer, two as sideline reporters and one reporting about the campus. The others helped cover the game in a variety of roles including operating cameras and assisting the ESPNU producers.
UNC’s journalism students were the first to perform as part of a new partnership between ESPNU and universities across the U.S., called the ESPNU Campus Connection, to employ students in game broadcasts. The network said at least 20 other schools would participate during the program’s first year.
“ESPNU Campus Connection will provide these students multiple opportunities to showcase the skills they have developed at UNC,” said Burke Magnus, vice president and general manager of ESPNU. “We are thrilled to share our knowledge and resources to further enhance their talents.”
Carolina’s program in broadcast journalism is a national leader. Last year, the school’s student-produced newscast, “Carolina Week,” was named the nation’s best by the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Broadcasting Society and College Broadcasters Inc.
“We do our best to give our students a feel for real-world, deadline pressure,” said associate professor Charlie Tuggle, who leads the school’s broadcast program. “There’s no better way to do that than to have them work alongside seasoned professionals during an ESPNU telecast.”
The students participating and their hometowns are list below:
Producer: Sara Moore from Goldsboro, N.C.
3rd Booth Announcer: Walter Storholt from Greensboro, N.C., and Pine Knoll Shores, N.C.
Sideline Reporter: Katie Miller from Jeannette, Pa.
Sideline Reporter: Adam Rhew from Charlotte, N.C.
Slash Cam Reporter: Mark Olexik from Cary, N.C.
Clock and Score Reporter: Carly Swain from San Diego, Calif.
Stage Manager: Cat Fowler from Lenoir, N.C.
Tape Producer: Wilson Andrews from Belmont, N.C.
Official Stats: Ben Kane from Chapel Hill, N.C.
Specialty Stats: Lib Curlee from Akron, Ohio
Audio Assistant: Erin Franklin from Virginia Beach, Va.
Utilities: Chris Neal from Charlotte, N.C.; Josh Bernstein from Syossett, N.Y.; Nick Kane from Durham, N.C.; Bethany Tuggle from Durham, N.C..
Two 15-second stand-ups: Sara Huffman from Hendersonville, N.C.
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