A new chapter in 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 global sport education programming officially began Sept. 7 in Pistoia, Italy.

Five Elon students arrived in the Tuscan city as the inaugural cohort participating in the university鈥檚 partnership with Lumos Pistoia Basket 2000, a professional basketball organization, and the Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF). Their arrival was marked by a from the club as the students prepare to begin a semester combining study abroad with hands-on experience in the professional sport industry.

As part of their initial visit, the students explored Pistoia鈥檚 historic center before making their way to LumoSquare, the 3,835-seat home of Pistoia Basket and a growing community hub. Accompanied by Professor Marco Bracci and Elisabetta Santanni, academic director of AEF/福利亚洲国产精品 in Florence, the group toured the facility, met members of the club staff, and received a personal welcome from Pistoia Basket President Joseph Mark David.

The visit offered the students their first look at the organization, where they will soon become part of the day-to-day operations. Beginning in mid-September, they will work alongside Pistoia Basket staff on projects involving sport management, marketing and social media.

鈥淭his experience is over a year in the making and couldn’t have come together without the amazing work of our partners at AEF, especially Elisabetta Santanni and Marco Bracci,鈥� said David Bockino, professor of sport management. 鈥淎s we launch the partnership this semester, we’re already discussing how to make it accessible to more students moving forward. The reception on campus has been great 鈥� we have students lining up to participate in the future.鈥�

A global professional experience

Announced last fall, Elon鈥檚 partnership with AEF and Pistoia Basket was developed in collaboration with the Department of Sport Management to expand experiential learning opportunities for students studying in Florence. It combines two hallmarks of an Elon education 鈥� global engagement and professional experience 鈥� placing students inside a European professional sport organization while they study abroad.

鈥淭his experience was the logical next step as Elon grows its sport-related experiences,鈥� Bockino said. 鈥淎s a university, we’re great at study abroad and at helping our students get internships. Why not put those two together? When these students eventually hit the job market, they’ll arrive with a true resume differentiator: an internship with a professional Italian basketball club that allows them to better understand sport from a global perspective.鈥�

As part of a mentored, two-credit internship with Pistoia Basket, students will spend approximately 10 hours each week gaining practical experience in event operations, fan engagement, marketing, communications and social media. Their responsibilities will be tailored to their academic backgrounds and professional interests.

For example, students interested in media analytics may evaluate the club鈥檚 social media performance, while students studying sport management or strategic communications will work to increase Pistoia Basket鈥檚 visibility among college students studying abroad in Florence. Participants will also meet regularly with accompanying professors and complete applied and reflection-based assignments.

The cohort will also contribute to a video storytelling project designed to introduce Pistoia Basket to new audiences in the United States. Funded by the Elon Innovation Council and coordinated through Elon鈥檚 Sports Media Lab and Elon Sports Vision, the project will use footage captured by the students to tell the story of Pistoia鈥檚 2026-27 season. According to Bockino, the resulting videos are expected to appear on Elon social media channels and during Elon Athletics broadcasts.

This fall鈥檚 inaugural cohort includes Robbie Pataky ’28, a strategic communications major; Amelia Weaver ’28, a sport management and media analytics double major; Riley Greenwald ’28, a sport management major; Olivia Tichnor ’28, a marketing major; and Max Edelstein ’28, a sport management major.

can vividly remember the exhilaration of running onto the field this past weekend with the University of Pittsburgh football team, gimbal in hand, as more than 40,000 fans roared around him.

What happened next is a little hazier.

鈥淚 essentially blacked out on adrenaline for the first 10 minutes of game action,鈥� Henneman laughed.

It was Henneman鈥檚 first game day working on the sidelines for Pitt football 鈥� and a surreal introduction to his new role as the program鈥檚 assistant director of creative content.

The Elon alumnus was there to capture an up-close look at Pitt鈥檚 season-opening 59-14 victory over Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 5. Once the final whistle sounded, his responsibilities only grew. Henneman took the lead editing 鈥溾�� Pitt鈥檚 long-running video series that tells the story of a victory through behind-the-scenes content.

For Henneman, the assignment represented another milestone in a professional journey that has moved quickly.

His path to Pitt began shortly after his May 2025 graduation from Elon, where he majored in journalism and built a portfolio that stretched well beyond traditional reporting.

As a student, Henneman worked with Rising Phoenix and Elon Athletics video production. He also spent nearly two years interning with The Burlington School, chronicling its high-level prep basketball program. Following graduation, he continued sharpening his skills as a videographer with the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Those experiences ultimately led him to Pittsburgh.

In January, Henneman initially joined Pitt Athletics as an assistant director of video production, creating content across the university鈥檚 athletics programs. After six months, he accepted a position supporting Pitt football. But Henneman wasn鈥檛 quite ready to give up basketball.

He negotiated a hybrid role that allows him to remain the secondary video contact for Pitt men鈥檚 basketball.

鈥淚 couldn’t get myself to leave my basketball roots behind,鈥� Henneman said.

Being a major content contributor for both programs, he said, is a 鈥渄ream come true.鈥� It has also brought considerably more responsibility.

While the football staff was away during July, Henneman filmed basketball summer workouts, helped lead the rollout of new NIL initiatives for Pitt Athletics, and traveled to New York City to cover volleyball standout Olivia Babcock at the Collegiate Women Sports Awards.

Then came football season.

When fall camp opened in August, Henneman鈥檚 days regularly stretched from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. He produced short-form content from daily practices and longer-form mic鈥檇-up features while documenting the weeks leading into the season.

“Practically living in the facility gave me an eye-opening perspective of the upper echelon of college athletics.”

鈥� Cap Henneman 鈥�25

Amid that demanding schedule came one of his biggest opportunities.

At the end of fall camp, Henneman spent a week shooting and editing the 鈥溾�� his first true 鈥減assion project鈥� since arriving at Pitt. The finished video was shown at the program鈥檚 kickoff luncheon and student bonfire pep rally, played on the stadium scoreboard before the season opener, and released on social media.

Creating a longer, storytelling-driven piece reminded Henneman of the projects he pursued at Elon.

鈥淚t was refreshing to create a storytelling-centric piece that I could be proud of,鈥� Henneman said.

That same approach carried into his first football Saturday.

After documenting Pitt鈥檚 season-opening victory, Henneman shifted almost immediately from capturing the story to assembling it. For 鈥溾�� he storyboarded the video and constructed its game-action sequences, working alongside colleagues who handled the introduction, graphics, color grading and sound effects.

There was also a tighter turnaround. The popular series, previously released on Wednesdays, was now due Monday.

鈥淒espite the lack of social life and free time that football season brings, I can confidently say I am doing something that I truly love,鈥� Henneman said. 鈥淚 feel like I have found my footing within the creative team, and look to keep improving as the season moves forward.鈥�

Calling the biggest fan of 鈥淭he Joe Murray Show,鈥� 98.5 The Sports Hub鈥檚 weeknight program, might be an understatement. The sport management major estimates she tuned in to the Boston-based program nearly 300 times last year. So, when the station offered her an internship this summer, she knew it was the perfect fit.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just a really well-rounded internship, and that鈥檚 what I think is truly going to help me,鈥� the aspiring sports broadcaster said.

While Marchand鈥檚 shift at the radio station doesn鈥檛 start until 6 p.m., she has her hands full with a wide range of duties the rest of the night. She answers incoming calls from listeners, assists with the station’s YouTube stream and creates graphics for social media. But what excites her the most is the chance to go live on the air.

鈥淭hat’s probably the biggest opportunity I’ve had,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s really nice that they trust me to go on the radio with thousands of people listening.鈥�

Early in the internship, the show’s producer wrote an entire segment for Marchand, giving her the chance to discuss the New England Patriots on the air. A few weeks later, she was helping the station’s social media team cover one of the most consequential days in Boston sports, following the Celtics’ blockbuster trade of Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Those opportunities grew from a connection Marchand had pursued long before the internship began.

Because internships at 98.5 The Sports Hub aren’t publicly posted, Marchand said networking is essential. In fact, when Marchand initially sent Joe Murray a message on LinkedIn during her freshman year, securing an internship wasn鈥檛 on her mind.

鈥淔unny enough, he left me on ‘read’ the first time I messaged him,鈥� Marchand said. 鈥淎 year later, I reached out again and said, 鈥楬ey, I waited a year. I’d still love to find time to chat. I know you’re really busy.鈥� The second time, he answered.鈥�

When he finally responded, Murray asked a question that changed everything.

鈥淒o you know Katie Bennert?鈥� he wrote back, referencing the 2024 Elon graduate who both interned and worked at the station. Marchand had never met the Elon alumna, but had heard positive things about her from friends involved with Elon Sports Vision. That shared Elon connection prompted Murray to invite Marchand to tour the studio over Winter Break. That鈥檚 when he offered her a spot to join his production team.

鈥淚 decided that this would be the best opportunity for me, working at a major market Boston sports radio station, and it’s been amazing,鈥� she said.

While her internship began this summer, Marchand is no stranger to sports broadcasting. During her first two years at Elon, she has contributed to more than 50 Elon Sports Vision broadcasts as a play-by-play announcer, sideline reporter and more. This past year, she became the youngest of three student hosts to call Elon Division I football games on the radio and co-hosted her own sports radio show with Scott Katz 鈥�26. She has also worked more than 90 shifts with Elon Athletics, gaining additional behind-the-scenes experience in game-day operations.

鈥淏eing able to have that on my resume at just 19 years old, where a lot of people may not have those opportunities 鈥� I think that that’s really what Elon has helped me with,鈥� Marchand said. 鈥淚 don’t think I would have gotten those opportunities anywhere else.鈥�

At Elon, Marchand has sharpened her on-air delivery and become comfortable working in a studio environment. Now she’s learning how to be more creative producing content centered on sports conversations rather than live competition. She’s also learning to separate her professional responsibilities from her passion as a fan.

Growing up just an hour outside Boston, Marchand has been a fan of the city’s professional sports teams since she was young. In August, she’ll attend Patriots training camp to capture photos and create content for the station.

“You do have to separate being a fan from your professional work, so I can’t fangirl over them when I’m there,” she said. “I have to be professional.”

While Marchand’s own initiative opened the door at 98.5 The Sports Hub, she credits the guidance she received at Elon with helping her walk through it. Assistant Professor of Sport Management Khirey Walker, in particular, played an important role in her internship search.

鈥淗e is just one of the most passionate, hardworking, selfless and kind people that I know at Elon,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e will literally drop anything to help any of his students.鈥�

This fall, Marchand will continue her journey through The Sport Experience in Charlotte, where she’ll live, intern and study while expanding her experience in one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports business markets.

The 鈥淓lon Dance Team Send-Off鈥� video, directed and edited by Peter Sillitto 鈥�26 and produced in collaboration with the Elon 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 Elon 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 Elon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 Elon 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 Elon Sports Vision; Patrick Cunningham, director of live broadcast production for Elon 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 Elon at the national competition 鈥� the university won its first-ever award in 2025. In addition to the winning Elon Dance Team send-off video, four other Elon productions were recognized as finalists in the Collegiate Student Championship division: 鈥淔ootball: Elon 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� Elon Men鈥檚 Basketball Halftime Hype.鈥�

On Dec. 6, 2025, day started not in Elon, but Charlotte.

By 8 a.m., the Elon 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 Elon 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 Elon 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 Elon, she wasted little time getting involved.

Selikoff joined Elon 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 Elon鈥檚 experiential learning model.

鈥淎bby is a great example of a student who maximized the Elon 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 Elon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 Elon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 Elon 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 Elon with the kind of hands-on experience many young professionals spend years trying to find.

arrived at Elon 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 Elon 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 Elon Sports Vision and working as a technical director for Elon 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 Elon 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 Elon 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 Elon 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 Elon 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 Elon 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 Elon Sports Vision (ESV) student crew member, Bamford was recently named the initiative鈥檚 coordinating producer, overseeing live broadcasts of Elon 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 Elon 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�

福利亚洲国产精品 Elon Sports Vision

Elon Sports Vision provides students with hands-on experience in broadcasting, content creation, sports marketing and in-venue productions for Elon鈥檚 NCAA Division I athletic department. Launched in 2017, ESV works closely with Elon 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. Elon 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 Elon 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 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 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�