As final exams conclude, and college seniors across the country prepare to take their first steps into the real world, FOX Sports University wraps up its ninth year, covering more campuses and impacting more students than ever before. FOX Sports University is the largest, most comprehensive program of its kind, with the intent on bridging the gap between academia and the sports industry. Together with nearly 40 acclaimed University partners, the FOX Sports University program provides unique and enriching educational opportunities to students from coast-to-coast while uncovering fresh insights for our business. To date, over 5,000 students have participated in FOX Sports University.
As we graduate another class of eager young talent, FOX Sports University reflects on the past school year, and would like to thank FOX employees for their commitment to bringing their unique insights and experience into classrooms across the country. Here is a look back on some of the highlights of the last year:
FOX Sports University superstars take Super Bowl LI
For the first time ever, FOX Sports University students were challenged with a digital project surrounding the crown jewel of the sports broadcast industry: the Super Bowl.
Journalism students at the University of Missouri and advertising students at the University of North Carolina were challenged by FOX Sports to develop creative ways for the network to engage fans through social and digital platforms surrounding Super Bowl LI on FOX. The winning student teams from each school were invited for an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the FOX Sports team in Houston during Super Bowl LI Media Week. Students networked with FOX executives toured NRG Stadium and Radio Row, watched live tapings of FS1 studio shows, and even saw some of their ideas come to life. Our winning teams left Houston impressed, inspired and with an experience they will never forget.
FOX Sports University joins forces with Major League Baseball to “Go Green”
Committed to sustainability, FOX Sports and MLB teamed up to inspire change in a new generation of young adults at DePaul University.
Public relations students at DePaul University were challenged by 21CF Social Impact, FOX Sports and MLB to develop creative marketing and PR messaging that FOX and MLB can utilize to raise awareness for joint sustainability efforts throughout the baseball season. While many MLB team partners have worked with the FOX Sports University program, this is the first time the league office has been involved in the classroom. The students truly stepped up to the plate with strong final presentations that utilized FOX and MLB assets during jewel events – Opening Day, All-Star Week and the Post-Season!
FOX Sports University alum: A record number are among us
This summer, 12 FOX Sports University alumni will join nine different FOX Sports departments as summer interns.
With its unique access to top-level student talent across the country, FOX Sports University continues to serve as a recruitment pipeline for many FOX business units. FOX Sports University’s network has led to the hiring of nearly 100 FOX Sports University students since the program’s inception in 2007. This summer, FOX Sports University students from University of North Carolina, Marquette, New York University, Syracuse, Michigan, Southern Methodist University, Villanova and Seton Hall accepted internship positions across the company. From PROcast to FOX Sports Ad Sales, Home Team Sports, FS1, PR and Marketing, the FOX Sports University Program continues to be an asset for our company.
Lights, camera, FOX Sports University
FOX Sports on-air talent have the opportunity to give back by investing time and energy in the next generation of sports media.
This school year, many FOX Sports University partnerships were amplified by the integration of various FOX Sports personalities.
- In the classroom
While in Bloomington, FOX Sports’ lead college football analyst Joel Klatt hosted “1 Minute Drills with Joel Klatt,” during which he provided coaching and advice to Indiana University on-camera hopefuls. FS1 on-air talent Nick Wright and Alan Cavanna both returned to their alma mater to speak to Syracuse students about their career paths during the inaugural year of the FOX Sports University partnership with the Orangemen.
- In the studio
During fall 2016, Cal State Northridge students were challenged with an FS1-themed project. FS1 studio staff and on-air talent, including Nick Wright and Joy Taylor, welcomed the class to the Lot for a behind-the-scenes tour and a live-taping of “The Herd.”
- On the field
NFL on FOX on-air talent and broadcast teams across the country hosted FOX Sports University students on-site to provide exclusive experiences, and a behind-the-scenes look into “NFL GameDay” in the booth, in the trucks and on the sidelines. At the Big Ten Championship Game, Joel Klatt and FOX Sports’ lead college football play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson welcomed students to the broadcast booth for a glimpse into their gameday preparation.
A look ahead: FOX Sports University owns the fall semester
FOX Sports University adds Purdue and Illinois to its growing list of University Partners.
As FOX Sports prepares to “Own the Fall” during its inaugural season airing the best Big Ten football matchups, FOX Sports University celebrates partnerships with every university in the Big Ten conference beginning in the 2017-18 school year. FOX Sports University looks forward to strengthening its relationships with each Big Ten University this coming fall and is proud to be a part of this exciting time in company history.
A version of this post first appeared on FOX Sports PressPass.
