A group of sixteen students enrolled in the Sports Media Certificate program at Grady College are actively participating in a groundbreaking partnership with the USA TODAY Sports Network. This collaboration allows them to cover NCAA Tournament games, ranging from the initial rounds to the women's Final Four in Tampa. The alliance provides an opportunity for these aspiring journalists to work as accredited reporters at major sporting events, crafting written pieces and multimedia content for one of the country’s leading media organizations.
This initiative began on a trial basis in January when three students collaborated with USA TODAY to enhance coverage of the College Football Playoff national championship game in Atlanta. According to Gunter Schroeder, a fourth-year journalism student who covered both the CFP national championship and the recent NCAA men’s basketball regional in Atlanta, such experiences are rare and valuable additions to any resume. He notes that having published stories in USA TODAY can be a real eye-opener for potential employers.
Vicki Michaelis, the John Huland Carmical Chair in Sports Journalism & Society, emphasizes that partnerships like this one apply classroom learning in ways that cannot be replicated in a traditional setting. The Carmical Sports Media Institute funds the students' travel expenses, thanks to support from the Carmical Foundation and Steve and Diane Horton. Professors accompany the students to provide guidance, communicate story ideas to USA TODAY editors, and assist with editing their work.
Rachel G. Bowers, a 2011 Grady College graduate and deputy director of sports for USA TODAY Network, worked alongside Michaelis and Carlo Finlay, assistant director of the Carmical Sports Media Institute, to establish this partnership. Bowers highlights the importance of providing hands-on experience for the next generation of sports journalists. She mentions that covering events like March Madness in person is a growth experience and offers insight into how professional journalists operate.
The USA TODAY network, which includes over 200 properties, aims to expand its coverage of key sports for its audience, familiarize itself with the talent pool of students before graduation, and increase its digital presence. Testing students under the pressure of major event coverage is crucial. Additionally, USA TODAY seeks to train young reporters to delve deeper than just reporting scores, aligning with the core objectives of the Sports Media Certificate curriculum.
By the time the Final Four concludes, the students will have authored more than seventy published stories about the NCAA Tournament, covering diverse topics. These opportunities allow students to collaborate with seasoned editors and reporters, gaining invaluable experience. Sarah Sims, a fourth-year journalism student who covered first-round women’s basketball in Columbia, South Carolina, expresses her excitement about applying classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios.
For the CFP national championship, Gunter Schroeder was tasked with identifying unique angles about Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. He conducted research and drafted part of his story before the game, adding firsthand reporting afterward. Schroeder notes that working on tight deadlines was the most rewarding aspect of the experience, emphasizing the need to analyze constantly during the game and follow players closely post-match.
Looking ahead, this partnership could expand to include other college sports events such as baseball or softball postseason games. It may also integrate into future semesters' Sports Media Certificate classes. Michaelis underscores the value of expanding the philosophy of going where the learning happens, watching students apply classroom lessons on a grander scale. She describes this process as "ripping off the Band-Aid," where students gain confidence by stepping out of their comfort zones and achieving milestones like asking questions at national championship media days.
Through this innovative partnership, students not only gain practical skills but also develop a sense of accomplishment and confidence. As they celebrate the end of their March Madness assignments, they reflect on the connections made and the opportunities provided by the sports media program, setting them on a path toward successful careers in sports journalism.