The Sports Communication (SPCM) program is a broad and comprehensive study of many aspects related to the sports broadcasting and media industry. This program aims to teach students in four different areas of sports communication:
Sports Production and Broadcasting
This encompasses live production including but not limited to learning about broadcast technologies and equipment, operating video and audio equipment during live events, pre- and post-production schedules, daily sports broadcast operations, post-production editing, and more. With the move to Division 1 athletics, the goal of the Tarleton Sports Network is to produce broadcasts for all home sport events, including streaming on ESPN+ networks. Students in this field could work in the sports broadcasting industry with major networks such as FS1, ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox, and many other streaming services.
Creative Services
Creative Services involves student-learning centered around generating creative content for all Tarleton Athletics. Skills will be developed in areas such as photography, videography, video and photo editing, media writing, graphic design, social media content management, and more. Students in this field could work for:
- sports leagues
- sports teams in both major and minor leagues
- universities
Sports Information
Students who want an emphasis in Sports Information will be introduced to the documentation of athletic programs including Tarleton Athletics. Students learn record-keeping, statistics tracking, game day operations, game note generation, sports program and media guide creation, press conferences, AP writing style, game recap and copywriting, as well as other skills related to keeping and disseminating sports information. Students in this field could work in:
- school districts
- universities
- sports leagues
- sports teams
- other multi-level sporting organizations.
Sports Marketing
Sports Marketing places a focus on the aspects of marketing and promoting sports, teams, and athletes at all levels of competition. Areas of study would include marketing strategies, promotions techniques, sales strategies, managing external operations and publics, creating promotional and advertising campaigns, as well as assisting in other areas such as sports production and creative services. Students in this area could work for:
- sports leagues
- sports teams
- universities
- creative or marketing agencies
Through our partnership with the Tarleton Athletics Department we offer students the opportunity to get a hands-on education with real-world learning experiences that will help to build their portfolio and resume with actual work credit through the Tarleton Sports Network Internship Program. Learn more information about the Tarleton Sports Network Internship Program.
Students interested in the Sports Communication program should contact the Sports Communication program leader, Kirk Wise, at kawise@tarleton.edu.
Students interested in the Tarleton Sports Network Internship Program can apply on the Tarleton Sports Network website or go the Tarleton Athletics homepage to learn more about Tarleton Athletics!
Programs and Opportunities
Production Room
Broadcast production room with TriCaster at Memorial Stadium.
Memorial Stadium
Photo of Tarleton State University’s Memorial Stadium taken by Sports Communication major Toby Rhodes.
Testimonials
Ryan Cox
I graduated with my degree in communications (broadcast/journalism) in December 2014. I received my master’s degree in athletic administration from Tarleton in Summer 2018. I know work as a Communications Coordinator for Lewisville ISD in Lewisville, TX. Professionally, I’ve worked for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for seven years covering the high school sports, MLB.com for two years covering the Texas Rangers. I worked at Tarleton for over five years most recently as the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations at Tarleton.
Nate Bural
I Graduated December 2010. Beginning my 10th season working in Tarleton Athletics. Over my career, I have been recognized by CoSIDA over 30 times for national publication awards and was the 2013 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest ‘Story with Video’ of the Year award winner. After starting as the assistant sports information director, he has since been promoted three times within the department which includes being the first sports information director in school history to earn an Assistant Athletic Director title. He resides in Stephenville with his wife, Jessica, who is also a graduate of Tarleton. The couple has a son, Benjamin, and is expecting a daughter, Brooklynn, in January 2021.