BEA2026

Sports media goes well beyond the game itself.  Join us to explore creative endeavors, storytelling, and industry shifts shaping this dynamic space.

Connect with colleagues, exchange new ideas, and help shape exciting initiatives for the coming year. These meetings are a welcoming space to build community, spark collaboration, and make your voice part of the conversation. Whether you’re a returning member or attending for the first time, this is a valuable opportunity to network with peers, share insights, and play an active role in your division’s future. We’d love to see you there.

Chair: Kyle J. Miller, Northwest Missouri State University
Vice Chair: Eric Esterline, University of Florida
Paper Chair: Nick Artman, Slippery Rock University

One of the four main focus areas of the University of Alabama's Beyond Sports Initiative focuses on the role sports gambling/gaming plays in modern society. This panel will focus on past findings and future investigations in the area, ranging from connections between betting and media dependency, the ubiquitous nature of sports media advertising/sponsorship, and the development of a sports betting addiction scale.
Moderator: Michael Bruce, University of Alabama
Panelists: Andrew C. Billings, University of Alabama
Brody Ruihley, Miami University (Oxford)
Travis R. Bell, University of South Florida

RADAR Scholar Office Hours is our one-of-a-kind, feedback and community building program designed to connect you with senior researchers within the BEA community. BEA wants to help you maximize your conference experience by helping you with your research career or engaging your intellectual curiosity. We’ve tailored our RADAR Scholar Office Hours program to support researchers in terms of attendees interested in getting feedback on their research projects, as well as other senior scholar BEA members interested in engaging in dialogue about the practice of research.

These are ONE-ON-ONE office hours.  One person can sign up per time slot.

GLENN CUMMINS's research focus is on: Sports Media; Media Psychology; Parasocial Interaction; Biometrics

Approaches: Quantitative

Methods: Experiment
Quantitative
Survey
Eye-tracking
Cognitive/media neuroscience

Stats: Yes

BEA members can sign up for on-on-one meetings with RADAR Scholars to:

• Get feedback on a study idea
• Design a study using a method
• Engage in discussions of research
• Learn about research best practices
• Understand epistemological approaches to knowledge-making
• Discuss RPT
• Learn about making theoretical arguments
• Write persuasively about contributions for academic publications
• Structure journal article papers
• Respond to reviewers
• Discuss the next stages of your conference presentation/paper
• Discuss grant funding
• Present research at conferences
• Get data analytic advice

This panel examines the ongoing conversation between teaching broad, transferable academic skills and preparing students for specific sports media careers. Educators will explore how universities can best equip students with writing, research, and critical thinking skills while also addressing the demand for technical training and job-ready experience. Panelists will also highlight how these skills apply beyond sports media, providing graduates with pathways into communications and related industries.

Moderator: Chris Bacon, Middle Tennessee State University
Speakers: Eric Esterline, University of Florida

RADAR Scholar Office Hours is our one-of-a-kind, feedback and community building program designed to connect you with senior researchers within the BEA community. BEA wants to help you maximize your conference experience by helping you with your research career or engaging your intellectual curiosity. We’ve tailored our RADAR Scholar Office Hours program to support researchers in terms of attendees interested in getting feedback on their research projects, as well as other senior scholar BEA members interested in engaging in dialogue about the practice of research.

These are ONE-ON-ONE office hours.  One person can sign up per time slot.

GLENN CUMMINS's research focus is on: Sports Media; Media Psychology; Parasocial Interaction; Biometrics

Approaches: Quantitative

Methods: Experiment
Quantitative
Survey
Eye-tracking
Cognitive/media neuroscience

Stats: Yes

BEA members can sign up for on-on-one meetings with RADAR Scholars to:

• Get feedback on a study idea
• Design a study using a method
• Engage in discussions of research
• Learn about research best practices
• Understand epistemological approaches to knowledge-making
• Discuss RPT
• Learn about making theoretical arguments
• Write persuasively about contributions for academic publications
• Structure journal article papers
• Respond to reviewers
• Discuss the next stages of your conference presentation/paper
• Discuss grant funding
• Present research at conferences
• Get data analytic advice

RADAR Scholar Office Hours is our one-of-a-kind, feedback and community building program designed to connect you with senior researchers within the BEA community. BEA wants to help you maximize your conference experience by helping you with your research career or engaging your intellectual curiosity. We’ve tailored our RADAR Scholar Office Hours program to support researchers in terms of attendees interested in getting feedback on their research projects, as well as other senior scholar BEA members interested in engaging in dialogue about the practice of research.

These are ONE-ON-ONE office hours.  One person can sign up per time slot.

ROGER COOPER's research focus is on: Audience Analysis, Sports, Olympics, Professional Development for Creative Professions

Approaches: Quantitative

Methods: Quantitative
Survey
Interview
Focus Group

Stats: Yes

BEA members can sign up for on-on-one meetings with RADAR Scholars to:

• Get feedback on a study idea
• Design a study using a method
• Engage in discussions of research
• Learn about research best practices
• Understand epistemological approaches to knowledge-making
• Discuss RPT
• Learn about making theoretical arguments
• Write persuasively about contributions for academic publications
• Structure journal article papers
• Respond to reviewers
• Discuss the next stages of your conference presentation/paper
• Discuss grant funding
• Present research at conferences
• Get data analytic advice

RADAR Scholar Office Hours is our one-of-a-kind, feedback and community building program designed to connect you with senior researchers within the BEA community. BEA wants to help you maximize your conference experience by helping you with your research career or engaging your intellectual curiosity. We’ve tailored our RADAR Scholar Office Hours program to support researchers in terms of attendees interested in getting feedback on their research projects, as well as other senior scholar BEA members interested in engaging in dialogue about the practice of research.

These are ONE-ON-ONE office hours.  One person can sign up per time slot.

ROGER COOPER's research focus is on: Audience Analysis, Sports, Olympics, Professional Development for Creative Professions

Approaches: Quantitative

Methods: Quantitative
Survey
Interview
Focus Group

Stats: Yes

BEA members can sign up for on-on-one meetings with RADAR Scholars to:

• Get feedback on a study idea
• Design a study using a method
• Engage in discussions of research
• Learn about research best practices
• Understand epistemological approaches to knowledge-making
• Discuss RPT
• Learn about making theoretical arguments
• Write persuasively about contributions for academic publications
• Structure journal article papers
• Respond to reviewers
• Discuss the next stages of your conference presentation/paper
• Discuss grant funding
• Present research at conferences
• Get data analytic advice

Moderator: Nick Artman, Slippery Rock University
Open 1st Place Paper: Travis R. Bell, University of South Florida; Brian Petrotta, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; The gender dichotomy of wagering expertise: A content analysis of Daily Wager/ESPN BET Live shows during March Madness

Open 2nd Place Paper: Nathan Alexander Towery, The University of Mississippi; Bumsoo Park, University of Nevada Las Vegas; Nicholas Richard Buzzelli, High Point University; Samuel David Hakim, Clemson University; Sugarcoating the reaction: Fan response to the postponement of the 2025 Allstate Sugar Bowl

Open 3rd Place Paper: Kevin Hull, University of South Carolina; Minhee Choi, Texas Tech University; Now Hiring (sort of): Examining U.S. Local Television Sports Broadcaster Job Listings

Open 4th Place Paper: Greg Hoplamazian, Loyola University Maryland; Max Verheyen, Loyola University Maryland; Social Media Promotion for Non-Revenue Sports: Best Practices for College Athletics Programs on Instagram

SPORTS BROADCASTING SHOWCASE

This session will feature panelists from several universities that teach sports broadcasting. Some universities have full-fledged sports majors, while other colleges include sports activities as part of a general broadcast major. The panelists will highlight their programs, including how students, staff, and faculty are involved in the process. Student production excerpts will be shared with the audience. The programming may come from sports segments in radio or television newscasts, weekly shows, or specials. The program carriers vary from campus closed-circuit systems to community cable channels and public broadcasting stations. Issues to be discussed will include the balancing act of producing quality programming and providing students with a positive learning experience at the same time, the sometimes-challenging relationship between academics and the Athletic Department, and the ongoing budget battle.
Moderator: Kenneth A. Fischer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Panelists: Brett Kurland, Arizona State University
Miles Romney, Brigham Young University
Alan Eno, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

You can't learn how to be a journalist or a media professional from a textbook or by simply sitting in a class. You learn by getting your hands dirty, doing the hard work and gaining field experience. This panel will be a look at tried and tested experiential workshops — some multi-day workshops — put on by different
universities around the world. These workshops and our panelists run the spectrum: A sports workshop incorporating multiple classes,
an immersive photo and multimedia storytelling workshop, global documentary workshops on social change and environmental issues. We want to include what works and what doesn't work, some step-by-step guides for creating a successful, hands-on workshop. Many of these workshops also provide portfolio pieces for students and/or have a community service component to them as well.

Moderator: Jen Smith, University of Kentucky
Panelists: Jen Smith, University of Kentucky
David Stephenson, School of Journalism and Media, University of Kentucky,
Robin Canfield, Actuality Abroad
Robb B. Montgomery, Visual Editors, NFP
Tynymgul Eshieva Eshieva, American University in Central Asia

With technology being at the forefront of how we teach, create, and tell stories, this panel will showcase a variety of schools' approaches to their recent control room updates. Whether you're in the early stages of gathering ideas, or making decisions on what equipment to buy, this panel may help you on the journey of planning your new facility upgrade for any budget. Control rooms for live sports, news and podcasting will be discussed.
Moderator: Joe Brackman, University of Cincinnati
Panelists: Aaron Atkins, Weber State University
Michael Moon, Otterbein University

Join us for this series of sessions showcasing the work of our Festival of Media Arts Student Sports winners.
Festival of Media Arts

Promotional Video/Tease/PSA Category
Best of Festival: Nate Locker & Amadou Diallo, Ball State University; Ball State Sports Link: My Black Is

1st Place: Symone Harms, Aiden Penner, Jesus Arriaza-Lopez & Paige Drew; Bethel University; Bethel University Track and Field Intro 2025-2026

Audio Story/Feature/News Category
1st Place: Seth Berquist, Indiana State University; WZIS Sports Update

Audio/Video Event: Play by play talent
1st Place: Jack Stager, Michigan State University; Jack Stager for Impact Radio

Video Live Game Production Category
1st Place: Jack Stager, Madison McCarter, Joseph DesVergnes-Christy & Jacob Maurer, Michigan State University; Michigan State Volleyball vs Nebraska

This panel explores how educators can train students to develop their on-air presence in sports media. From play-by-play and color commentary to sideline and feature reporting, panelists will share strategies for helping students balance confidence, style, professionalism and storytelling. The discussion will highlight classroom exercises and assignments that simulate live game calls, mock radio shows, and on-camera reporting while comparing them to industry expectations. Attendees will gain practical ideas for helping students discover and strengthen their unique sports voice across platforms.
Moderator: Anjelica Trinone, West Virginia University
Adam C. Earnheardt, Youngstown State University
Chuck Scatterday, West Virginia University
Steve Stilwell, Liberty University

At NAB, I’ll be showing how live sports and broadcast production actually works today- using a fully cloud-based/fly-pack REMI production control room.
Instead of everything happening in one truck or studio, I’ll walk through how video comes in from a live event, gets switched between cameras, turned into highlights, managed with AI tools, and then streamed out to viewers- all in real time.
You’ll see how teams can produce major events from anywhere in the world, using software instead of massive hardware setups. It’s faster, more flexible, and way more scalable than traditional broadcasting.
The big takeaway: the future of this industry is remote, software-driven, and collaborative! And this is exactly how top-tier events like Formula 1 and the Olympics are being produced today.

Please join us as we recognize all of the Faculty Festival winners from Film & Video, IMET and Sports competitions.  

After the awards are handed out, we will hear from our Best of Competition winners.
Confirmed Presenters

Interactive Multimedia
Emerging Media & Technology Category
Capturing New Perspective in Modern Media: Using Drone Videography to Showcase the Sam Houston State University Community; Antonio Bocanegra II, Sam Houston State University

Interactive Reality Category
Eyes of Freedom Immersive; Pat Clark, University of Colorado Boulder

Sports Competition
Long Form Sports Video Category
Authentic ACC: Syracuse Spring Football; Jordan Kligerman, Austin Beehner, Mike Lang & Richard Wiesmann, Syracuse University

Audio Competition
Long-Form Production Category
The Traveling Radio Show Goes to the CSU!; Jeff Jacoby, San Francisco State

Scriptwriting Competition
Narrative Feature Category
Hole-in-the-Wall; Matthew Evans, University of Georgia

As more institutions establish sports media degree programs, courses either emphasizing or featuring instruction about sports play-by-play are growing as well. This panel features educators with sports broadcast experience to suggest ideas for classroom instruction that can enhance practical experience behind the microphone.

Moderator: John McGuire, Oklahoma State University
Panelists: Dylan McLemore, Oklahoma State University
Kyle J. Miller, Northwest Missouri State University
Kenneth A. Fischer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

During the ceremony, recipients will be recognized with a specialized screening of their winning project and a cash award of $1,000 from the Diana King Memorial Endowment.

The 2026 Best of Festival winners were selected from a pool of over 2,250 entries, representing over 300 colleges and universities in the following competitions: audio, documentary, film & video, interactive multimedia, news, scriptwriting, sports and two-year colleges.

2026 Best of Festival Winners

Audio Competition - Faculty
The Traveling Radio Show Goes to the CSU!; Jeff Jacoby, San Francisco State University (Long-Form Production Category)

Audio Competition - Student 
Deliver U.S.; Krystal Guerra, Texas Christian University (Narrative Audio Category)

Documentary Competition - Faculty 
Chicken Ghetto; Sangsun Choi & Paul Lee, Kennesaw State University (Short-Form Category)

Documentary Competition - Student 
Hunter; Jack Hanning, Carter Moore, Nick Reed & Rylie West, University of Tennessee (Documentary Feature Category)

Film & Video Competition - Faculty
Kid Super Pilot; Christian Washington, Huntington University Arizona (Narrative Video Category)

Film & Video Competition - Student
Southern Apocrypha; Eli Murray, Ethan Hickey, Jordan Moore & Amy Csaki, Middle Tennessee State University (Narrative – Mini Narrative Category)
Komets Blackout Night Promo; Bryce Garrett, Huntington University (Promotional Category)

Interactive Multimedia Competition - Faculty
Eyes of Freedom Immersive; Pat Clark, University of Colorado Boulder (Interactive Reality Category)

Interactive Multimedia Competition – Student
As Tough As Ice; Murphy McFarlane, Syracuse University (Multimedia Storytelling Category)

News Competition - Faculty
From Denver to Mecca: A CNN producer’s personal pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest site; Kareem El Damanhoury, Muhammad Darwish, Angelica Pursley & Matog Saleh, University of Denver (Television Feature News Reporting Category)

News Competition - Student
40 Feet In the Air; Boone Kilpatrick, Syracuse University (Radio Reporting Category)

The New Florida Follies; Alex Land, University of Florida (Television Reporting Category)

Centre County Report: April 4, 2025; Allie Wenskoski, Sarah Schultz, Francie Ebert, Hannah Neurohr, Owen Gelber &
Denys Khrulov, Penn State University (Television Newscast Category)

Scriptwriting Competition - Faculty
All These Lonesome Graveyards; Nathan Patton, Missouri State University (Original Television Series Pilot Category)  
Scriptwriting Competition - Student Bandit; Cooper Johnson, Missouri State University (Original Television Series Pilot Category)

Sports Competition - Faculty
Authentic ACC: Syracuse Spring Football; Jordan Kligerman, Austin Beehner, Mike Lang & Richard Wiesmann, Syracuse University (Long Form Sports Video Category)

Sports Competition - Student
Ball State Sports Link: My Black Is; Nate Locker & Amadou Diallo, Ball State University (Promotional Video/Tease/PSA Category)

Student Two-Year Colleges Competition
25 Years of Harper Radio; Zoe Meshenberg, Harper College (Non-Narrative Audio Category)

Graduate Student Competition
Piloting the Past into the Future; Rio Harper, Dian Ling, Nicole Cummings & Nathan Olszewski, Syracuse University (Documentary)

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

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

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."