Much of my work at Elon revolves around studying, teaching about, and preparing students to work in the sports media industry. Below are two examples of Elon’s student-centered, experiential approach. The first is a short-term study abroad opportunity while the second is a cohort-based undergraduate research experience.

GBL2050: Through the Lens of ESPN (short-term study abroad)

This course utilizes the history of ESPN as well as site visits to sports and media organizations abroad—such as stadiums, television networks, league offices, and sport-specific museums—to examine the larger political, economic, and cultural influence of sports media around the world. Students will study the complex global intersection of sports, media, and society through an investigation of topics such as the link between sport fandom and identity, the role of different media in forming and maintaining that link, and the myriad ways in which the multi-billion dollar sports media industry has evolved within different national and regional contexts. The course begins on campus, where students complete an intensive week-long research project, before traveling off-campus (potential destinations include Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Uruguay) for approximately two weeks.

Links to recaps of recent courses:

2019 (Argentina), 2020 (Argentina), 2022 (Spain), 2023 (Argentina/Uruguay) and 2024 (Brazil).

ESPN: Bristol, Connecticut

Camp Nou: Barcelona, Spain

Bleacher Report: New York, New York

ESPN: New York, New York

La Bombonera: Buenos Aires, Argentina

FOX Sports: New York, New York

Mestalla Stadium: Valencia, Spain

Estadio Campeón Del Siglo: Montevideo, Uruguay

Estadio Centenario: Montevideo, Uruguay

Argentina National Team Training Facility: Buenos Aires, Argentina

THE SPORTS MEDIA LAB

The Sports Media Lab at Elon University provides students with a true experiential education, utilizing a cohort-based undergraduate research model to combine critical thinking with professional development.