Kapco Park Recognizing a strong employment outlook for sports-related media professionals, Concordia University Wisconsin has become the first Milwaukee-area school to offer a minor in Sports Media.
The 19-credit program combines the strengths and resources of the university’s Communication Department, Batterman School of Business, and Athletics Department, and prepares students for an ever-changing sports journalism field. “With several professional teams and media outlets in Milwaukee, this could attract students who want to intern locally or remain in Wisconsin following graduation,” noted Dr. Sarah Holtan, associate professor of communication.
Concordia’s Mass Communication program has historically offered individual attention and identifies internships at commercial communication firms. Students develop writing and editing skills valued by business, non-profit and health care industries, according to Holtan, who was recently named the new communication department chair. The Internet’s explosive growth is creating opportunities for skilled and appropriately-trained graduates, added Holtan.
Several upperclassmen have already declared sports media as their minor this semester. “This minor will teach me exactly what I want to learn, and with its required internship, it will force me to apply practical skills that can’t always be taught in the classroom,” said Connor Hogg, a junior from London Ontario, Canada. A member of the men’s hockey team, Hogg is interested in a radio career.; Israel Mitchell, a junior from Brown Deer, Wisconsin, indicated his passion for sports attracted him to the minor. “I enjoy studying the statistics of various players and see how they are improving or declining throughout the season.”
For more details on the Sports Media minor or other communication programs, visit our communication webpage.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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