’ c a t t r a c k s Students earn while they learn Dozens of Linfield College students to as a kid. It’s fun to experiment with are gaining tangible experience in the phrases and find new ways to describe world of sports media – while boosting things.” Linfield’s sports message. Young spends two hours before Each semester, some 15 work study each game researching stats and fun students assist Kelly Bird, director of facts in preparation for pre- and post- sports information, broadcasting games, game shows. “It takes a lot of work if taking photos, writing stories and you want to sound good on the air,” said creating video. They run scoreboards, Young. “I watch it on TV with a different compile statistics, broadcast games, perspective now.” provide office support, prepare rosters Kelsey McGarry ’16, a political and game programs and much more. science major, keeps score at volleyball, This real-world experience, along basketball and softball games, and also with a new sport management minor writes feature stories and post-event and a unique January Term class focused recaps. “The interviewing I’m doing helps on the sport industry, is preparing me with my people skills,” said McGarry, students for careers in sports media and a devoted baseball fan with aspirations of administration. a career in local politics. “Plus, I get paid According to Bird, the students who to go to sporting events.” work with him enable Linfield to meet Eric Evenson ’11 spent four years the real-time expectations of the public working in Linfield’s sports information in this internet-driven age. department and is now pursuing “We’ve come to rely on our students a master’s in sport management at in so many different roles,” said Bird, the University of San Francisco and Jerry Young ’14 polishes his play-by-play broad- who noted students have made it possible as an intern with the San Francisco casting skills during a Linfield basketball game in to add video webcasting and same-day Giants. He has also interned with the January. He and other Linfield students are gaining reports of every athletic event. Oakland Raiders, Cal Berkeley Athletic experience in the world of sports media through work “Using students, the outreach of athletic Department and the United States study positions, a new sport management minor and, communications has expanded.” Golf Association. most recently, a January Term course, Career Explo- Jerry Young ’14, a mass “For those of us working in sports, we ration: Through the Lens of Sport Management. communication major with an eye must get used to working nontraditional on a sports broadcasting career, is hours and juggling responsibilities,” he “Having that liberal arts perspective in his third year working with said. “Working with Kelly prepared me is important,” Farag said. “We’ve had a lot sports information. He for high-stress environments and taught of students with an interest in athletics, serves as the primary play- me to hold myself to a high standard even but who wanted to pursue areas of sport by-play broadcaster, when things get busy.” management. This will be helpful as they calling games for This fall, Linfield instituted a prepare for careers in the sport field.” volleyball, basketball new sport management minor that In addition to the minor, a January and football video incorporates classes in business, Term class provided an in-depth look webcasts. philosophy, economics and other at aspects of the sport industry. During “None of it departments to provide a liberal arts view. Career Exploration: Through the Lens is really work for me,” Courses encourage critical analysis of Sport Management, students met said Young, who grew of the culture and social significance with representatives from adidas, Nike, up captivated by play-by- of sport, the need for ethical and moral Columbia Sportswear, Portland Timbers, play announcers on TV and decision-making and the role of sport Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Mariners, radio. “It’s all a blast. I get as business, according to Denise Farag Seattle Seahawks and other sport-related to do what I loved ’88, program coordinator and assistant entities. listening professor of business. – Laura Davis Winter 2013 l i n f i e l d m a g a z i n e - 2 3
Linfield Winter 2013
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