The sports media world continues to evolve as fans embrace streaming, short-form video, influencer commentary, and user-generated content. Traditional broadcasts face disruption as audiences turn to personalized, mobile-first formats and on-demand experiences. This panel examines how these shifts reshape sports consumption, influence content creation, and expand the range of storytellers, with athletes, influencers, and fans emerging as key media producers. Moderator: Nick Artman, Slippery Rock University Panelists: Shannon Scovel, University of Tennessee Kyle J. Miller, Northwest Missouri State University Matthew Harmon, Monmouth University
Associate Professor, Northwest Missouri State University
I'm an associate professor at the Northwest Missouri State University School of Communication and Mass Media. I teach media writing, broadcasting/digital, sports media and media literacy courses. I also oversee our Mass Media program's Senior Seminar course and Professional Advisory... Read More →
Allan Wylie shares his unique journey into sports broadcasting and his passion for storytelling and sports debate.In this session, he will discuss overcoming roadblocks and low expectations . Through storytelling, explaining how he brings games to life with vivid detail , energy and emotion. Allan will discuss his love for sports debate and analysis breaking down moments that drive conversation among fans. Attendees will gain insight into building a voice in sports media. He will stress the importance of preparation and how his challenges become strengths. No Sight but all Vision.
Partnerships between academic sports communication programs and college athletic departments are reshaping the landscape of student engagement, professional training, and live sports broadcasting. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for building sustainable collaborations that prepare students for careers in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem while enriching the campus sports experience.
Moderator: Andrew Miller, Sacred Heart University Panelists: John M. Morris, University of Southern Indiana Aaron Such, Sacred Heart University Erik Charles Werner, Tennessee State University
While every production program faces difficulties, DII and DIII programs often face unique resource challenges. This panel explores ways that smaller academic programs have successfully partnered with their university athletics department and overcome common hurdles. We will present specific experiential learning opportunities tied to student media and course curriculum, take a closer look at our partnership models, and discuss unique ways of addressing common human, budget, and equipment resource issues.
Moderator: John Mcuire, Oklahoma State University Panelists: Chris Shofner, Bethel University Jasen Sokol, John Carroll University David Allen Nelson, University of Central Oklahoma
Professor, KZUC-FM Faculty Advisor, University of Central Oklahoma
David Nelson worked 10 years in the broadcast industry in Oklahoma and Texas as an on-air personality, currently a Professor and KCUZ-FM Faculty Advisor.
Danny Thomas from Connect2 will lead this tour focusing on Audio Production equipment, Camera (Worlds First 360-degree drone),accessories, and AI Motion Control technology with an emphasis on affordability. See the tour listing and why Danny loves them for educators below:
RØDE Microphones - "RØDE mics are known for delivering clean, neutral, “usable” audio across many situations. Many models (like the NT1) are considered studio-grade for vocals and instruments. Wireless and on-camera mics provide clear, reliable voice capture for video and interviews. Professionals like this because the sound: Needs less fixing in editing & Works across different voices/environments"
SMALLRIG - "Professionals use SmallRig gear to rig a mobile phone because it turns a simple smartphone into a modular, cinema-style production tool—without the cost or bulk of a full camera setup."
Advanced Image Robotics - "The AIR platform is a three piece solution that makes video capture better, simpler, and radically less expensive. It includes: AirOne a smart robot that simulates human camera movement AIRApp super intuitive camera assistant a native IOS app that enables touchscreen control of Air One directly AIR Cloud It simplifies and automates multicam technical complexity so you can concentrate on “telling the story”. AIRcloud is an orchestration layer for your cameras that simplifies your most complicated productions."
Shenzhen Neewer Technology Co., Ltd - "They offer “good-enough professional gear at very low cost,” which fits education budgets perfectly."
Insta360 - "The world's first 360 drone¹ Most drones: Point one camera in one direction
The A1: Captures everything around it at once (full 360°) Uses dual lenses (top + bottom) to see the entire sphere
👉 Meaning: You don’t aim the camera while flying You choose your angles later in editing
That alone is a huge shift in how aerial filming works."
