Journalism students stand in front of the "2022 men's final four New Orleans" sign on the court.

Sports Media & Society Concentration


Sports from Every Angle

Students choose the KU J-School because of the many connections we have within the local, collegiate and professional sports markets. In this concentration, undergraduates will be able to tailor their education, knowledge and experience to prepare them for wherever they want to work in the sports industry after graduation.

An Array of Sports Opportunities

In addition to courses, our students have many other opportunities to get hands-on experience at professional sports organizations, KU Athletics, ESPN, Time Warner Cable, local media outlets and campus media organizations. Whether you are interested in reporting, production, play by play, multimedia, marketing, public relations or administration, our curriculum will immerse you in the exciting and expanding world of sports media.

Student filming KU football game from end zone
Whether your dream is to be in front of or behind the camera, our sports media courses will help you get there.

On Your KU Transcript

  • Graduates who complete the requirements of Sports Media Concentration will have it noted on their official KU transcript, further enhancing resume and job prospects.

Sports Media Programs

Check out the Media Crossroads YouTube channel to view our student-produced sports shows. 


JMC Required Courses

  • JMC 101: Media and Society
  • JMC 104: Words at Work: Writing Essentials
  • JMC 300: Visual Storytelling
  • JMC 302: Information Exploration
  • JMC 304: Media Writing for Audiences
  • JMC 309: Data Storytelling
  • JMC 408: Media Law and Ethics
  • JMC Tech Tools (choose two)
  • JMC Diversity Course
  • JMC Electives (8 hours)

Sport Media & Society Courses

Students must meet all stated pre-requisites for each course. Please consult an academic advisor for assistance with course sequencing and determining how pre-requisites impact course availability.

Required course:

  • JMC 330: Sports Media in the 21st Century (3 hours)

Choose one of the following:

  • JMC 320: Introduction to Digital Marketing Communications, Advertising and Public Relations (3 hours)
  • JMC 345: Audience Experience (3 hours)
  • JMC 415: Multimedia Reporting (3 hours)

Choose one of the following:

  • JMC 430: Communicating Sports Information (3 hours)
  • JMC 551: Advanced Multimedia Reporting (3 hours)
  • JMC 552: Broadcast Reporting (3 hours)
  • JMC 553: Advanced Editing and Production (3 hours)

Choose one of the following:

  • JMC 575: Sports Message Strategies (3 hours)
  • JMC 626: Multimedia Sports Journalism-Advanced Media (3 hours)
  • JMC 620: TV News-Advanced Media (3 hours)
  • JMC 621: Data Reporting and Visualization-Advanced Media (3 hours)
  • JMC 625: Digital Media Tools-Advanced Media (3 hours)
  • JMC 630: Depth Reporting-Advanced Media/Capstone (3 hours)
  • JMC 635: Statehouse Reporting-Advanced Media/Capstone (3 hours)
  • JMC 636: Documentary-Advanced Media/Capstone (3 hours)
  • JMC 650: Magazine Journalism-Advanced Media (3 hours)
  • JMC 660: Professional Capstone-Advanced Media/Capstone (3 hours)
  • JMC 690: Media Innovation-Advanced Media/Capstone (3 hours)
  • JMC 691: Community Journalism-Advanced Media/Capstone (3 hours)
  • JMC 699: Reporting and Editing for Multimedia-Advanced Media (3 hours)

Choose one of the following:

  • JMC 675: Cultivating Sports Audiences Capstone
  • JMC 692: Sports on the Beat Capstone

Broadcasting

#15
Listed as one of the top 20 sports broadcasting schools, according to Sportscasters Talent Agency of America.

Student-produced Sports Shows

Students work on our studio in Stauffer-Flint Hall to produce several weekly sports shows. Check out their work on the Media Crossroads YouTube Channel.

Jayhawks in Sports Media

Kevin Harlan

Kevin Harlan

Play-by-play announcer,
CBS Sports and NBA
Laura Okmin

Laura Okmin

NFL sideline reporter
Fox Sports
Brian Hanni

Brian Hanni

Voice of the Jayhawks,
University of Kansas
Matt Gardner

Matt Gardner

Vice President, Digital Media & Emerging Technology,
St. Louis Blues

More Jayhawks in Sports Media

  • Jennifer Berquist, associate athletics director – development, Kansas Athletics
  • Julie Browman, television reporter and host, Altitude Sports and Entertainment
  • Nate Bukaty, lead commentator, Sporting Kansas City
  • Jenni Carlson, sports columnist, The Daily Oklahoman
  • Jennifer Cobb, stock car racing driver and owner, JJC Racing
  • Scott Chasen, assistant sports editor, The Kansas City Star
  • Nick Couzin, sports anchor and reporter, WHBF, Rock Island, Illinois
  • Rustin Dodd, writer at The Athletic
  • Travis Goff, director of athletics, University of Kansas
  • Jen Halvorson, on-air host, Minnesota Gopher Sports
  • Mike Harrity, Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation, Dartmouth
  • Kimberly Hobbs, vice president of corporate partnerships and premium sales, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Amie Just, sports columnist, Lincoln Journal Star
  • Taylor Kauffman, sports anchor/reporter, CBS 42
  • Amanda Kaschube, director of content for sports/audience strategy, Chicago Tribune
  • Coral Lu, reporter, host, anchor, ESPN
  • Sam Mellinger, vice president of communications, Kansas City Royals
  • Jesse Newell, Chiefs beat writer, The Kansas City Star
  • Mike Rigg, director of content and marketing, SuperBook Sports
  • Bill Riley, ESPN 700 program director and Voice of the University of Utah
  • Mick Shaffer, sports director, 41 Action News
  • Abby Walsh, graphics broadcast associate, MLB Network
Basketball with Jayhawk imprint

Plan a Campus Visit

Questions? We'd love to tell you more about Sports Media at KU and show you around campus, Stauffer-Flint Hall and check out our amazing studio!

Email the J-School