Join us for a Fall Open House and see Marist for yourself. Explore our stunning riverfront campus, learn more about academics and admissions, and get a firsthand look at life as a Red Fox. Along the way, you'll hear from students, faculty, and staff about the opportunities, connections, and experiences that make Marist special. Register Below:
Join us for a Fall Open House and see Marist for yourself. Explore our stunning riverfront campus, learn more about academics and admissions, and get a firsthand look at life as a Red Fox. Along the way, you'll hear from students, faculty, and staff about the opportunities, connections, and experiences that make Marist special. Register Below:
Join us for a Fall Open House and see Marist for yourself. Explore our stunning riverfront campus, learn more about academics and admissions, and get a firsthand look at life as a Red Fox. Along the way, you'll hear from students, faculty, and staff about the opportunities, connections, and experiences that make Marist special. Register Below:
Join us for a Fall Open House and see Marist for yourself. Explore our stunning riverfront campus, learn more about academics and admissions, and get a firsthand look at life as a Red Fox. Along the way, you'll hear from students, faculty, and staff about the opportunities, connections, and experiences that make Marist special. Register Below:
Sports Communication Concentration
A Hands-On Sports Communication Concentration, with Real-World ESPN+ Broadcasting
APPLY NOWThe Sports Communication program at Marist University prepares students for careers in sports media through hands-on production, reporting, and industry engagement. Students gain experience creating content in live sports environments, including coverage of NCAA Division I athletics and participation in broadcast, reporting, and digital production. Through the Center for Sports Communication, students engage with industry professionals, conduct research, and participate in specialized learning opportunities. This experience prepares graduates for roles in sports media, broadcasting, and content creation.
Marist's School of Communication and the Arts is ranked among the top 25% of colleges for communications in the United States (Niche).
Immersive industry engagement through the Center for Sports Communication, a recognized leader in the field, offering applied learning, research opportunities, and access to top industry professionals.
Hands-on sports media production experience, including coverage of NCAA Division I athletics on ESPN+ from Marist’s ESPN teaching control room, and participation in student media platforms such as Center Field, The Circle, and The Red Fox Report, and engagement with industry opportunities such as Super Bowl Media Week.
Opportunities to build professional portfolios through live event production, reporting, and engagement with industry leaders through speaker series and experiential projects.
Learn the Intricacies of Sports Communication
Studying in the Sports Communication concentration at Marist, you will gain both a vast understanding of the communication industry as a whole and develop in-depth knowledge of the sports communication field. Your communication coursework is supplemented with unique and exciting sports communication classes such as:
Inspired to cover sports and step beyond the broadcast booth, William is a Communication major with a concentration in Sports Communication and a minor in Digital Video Production. His passion for sports began in his childhood with trips to Madison Square Garden, where the announcers shaped his experience. This passion has since evolved into professional-level experiences as an on-air host, producer, and editor for various sports-related content for Marist.
Marist’s Center for Sports Communication is a global leader in the study of and practice in sports communication, helping to prepare an enlightened and engaged group of future leaders in one of society’s most far-reaching disciplines. The Center has achieved national and international recognition for the unique educational experiences it provides to undergraduates. You'll have the opportunity to work on industry-standard sports shows, participate in sports research, and learn from titans in the Sports Communication industry.
Industry Leaders
The Center for Sports Communication frequently invites industry leaders to campus for teaching, lectures, and Q&A sessions, providing Sports Communication students with opportunities to learn and engage. Most recently, three-time Emmy winner and the voice of the NBA on ESPN, Mike Breen, shared insights from his career in sports media during a discussion with the students.
Exclusive Excursions
Marist's Center for Sports Communication offers students unique opportunities to embark on once-in-a-lifetime trips. Recently, a group of Sports Communication students attended Media Week for Super Bowl LX, where they connected with professionals, conducted interviews, and produced live, multi-platform coverage of the biggest event in sports.
The Center for Sports Communication provides cutting-edge opportunities for students to learn first-hand from industry experts. Meet with top-tier journalists and reporters, conduct sports research with the Marist Poll, attend exclusive events, produce content for the Red Fox Report, and discuss important industry topics like race and gender in sports.
Develop Your Sports Communication Portfolio
Sports Communication students at Marist are uniquely positioned with access to a wide range of hands-on opportunities as part of your academic experience. Not only does the Sports Communication concentration require an internship to ensure your success post-graduation, but we work closely with you to determine the best on- or off-campus experience for your interests. You’ll have access to:
Through hands-on learning and real-world experiences, you'll develop the skills and confidence to tell compelling stories, inform audiences, and make an impact in the field of Sports Communication. Student Learning Outcomes >
On top of a thorough theoretical foundation in communications, all of our faculty come to us with years of industry experience. This allows our Communication students to learn first-hand about their future careers and gain important connections to major institutions in their fields. View all Communication faculty >
Andrew Elrick
Dr. Elrick is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication as well as Director of the Center for Sports Communication, one of Marist’s Centers for Research and Engagement. He began his career in higher education in 2019 after a 20+ year career in sports media which included stints as a Producer, Managing Editor, Senior Editor and Coordinating Producer at ESPN, College Sports Television, FIBA and CBS Sports.
Chris Riviezzo
Chris Riviezzo, a long-time ESPN producer, is a Professional Lecturer of Communication/Sports Broadcasting. Riviezzo, who is a Marist alumnus and Dutchess County native, has been a highly regarded studio producer at ESPN for more than two decades, working on productions of some of the biggest events in sports.
Zachary W. Arth
Dr. Arth comes to Marist by way of The University of Alabama, where he completed his Ph.D. in 2019. His research centers around sports media, particularly focusing on issues pertaining to ethnicity, nationality, and sex/gender, primarily through the lens of global competitions such as the Olympic Games. Additionally, he is interested in how viewers process the information disseminated by announcers and graphics while watching a typical sporting contest.
Marist's sports communication concentration teaches students how to report on, analyze, produce, and communicate about sports across various platforms. Sports Communication students study topics such as sports reporting, broadcasting, and public relations, along with an introduction to journalism and issues in sports media. Students develop skills in writing, multimedia production, research, public presentation, and media strategy. View Full Curriculum >
Marist students gain sports broadcasting experience through various hands-on opportunities and internships. Marist Sports Communication students can produce NCAA Division I games in the ESPN Control Room for ESPN3 and ESPN+, create sports podcasts, contribute to the student-run sports publication Center Field, and complete required internships that provide professional industry experience.
Colleges with strong sports communication programs often provide direct access to industry professionals, broadcasting opportunities, and relationships with major sports media organizations. Marist University offers extensive hands-on production experience for students through its ESPN Control Room, opportunities to visit ESPN studios, and access to sports media professionals through the Center for Sports Communication, including programs featuring ESPN industry leaders and journalists.
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