Sports journalists will have a new way to perfect their skills with Boston University professors during a four-week Sports Institute program scheduled to make its debut this summer, according to founder Frank Shorr.
Five months of preparation have launched the Sports Institute, which will start this May and is open to students from any college, according to Shorr. He said about 40 students are expected to attend the institute.
Shorr said the institute’s goal is to “offer all [sports journalism] classes in one intense setting.” Currently, BU offers a sports marketing class in the School of Management and a sports journalism class in the College of Communication.
The program will cost $3,500, and BU students will be able to apply for COM credit upon completion, Shorr said. Students will take four different classes, each meeting twice a week during the program, according to Shorr.
The institute will combine hands on experience with academics, Shorr said.
Sports journalist and BU professor Jack Falla is slated to teach the Sports Journalism class. Falla, the author of “Home Ice” and “Quest for the Cup,” will instruct his class on sports writing for print media.
Students will produce a weekly sports television show called “Sports Summer” during the Sports Broadcast Journalism class taught by Shorr. Students will learn the production of a sports broadcast show, he said.
“They will get a good sense of what it takes to put a TV show on,” Shorr said. “It certainly helps if you know how everyone does their job.”
Sports Marketing will be taught by BU assistant professor Dr. Chris Cakebread and will provide students with an in-depth look at the business of sports, Shorr said.
The fourth portion, a seminar course, will be the highlight of the program, according to Shorr. Shorr said he will interview well-known regional and national sports journalists during the first half of each session and allow students to ask questions during the other half.
COM freshman Alex Germain said he can see the program’s benefits.
“It enables future sports journalists and broadcasters to get a head start in their field,” Germain said. “It will give them an edge.”
COM sophomore Kristin Campbell said she agreed.
“I think this program is really helpful, because I know a lot of people interested in sports journalism, and this will definitely help them get more involved in it,” Campbell said.
Other students, such as COM sophomore Erica Mustonen, said the institute was too expensive.
“I think it’s good they’ve expanded the program, but I myself wouldn’t do it because it is extra money,” Mustonen said. “If it expands on the sports journalism curriculum, it should be part of your tuition.”
The application deadline for the program is Apr. 26.
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