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Sports Media

Students learn how to report and write about sports and the people involved in them. Besides covering NCAA Division I games and talking to athletes, students go beyond the scoreboard to explore the factors that shape the 21st-century sports world.

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Sports Media

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Degree Level
Bachelor of Arts
Delivery
In Person
Time to Degree
8 Semesters
Credit Hours
120 Total, 48 in Major
Careers
Reporters,, Journalists, Postsecondary
Sports Media students at EIU

Why Study Sports Media at EIU?

  • Become part of one of the only accredited sports media majors in Illinois.
  • Develop strong writing, reporting, communication, and analytical skills through game stories, social media posts, columns and feature articles. These skills make our graduates competitive in multiple fields.
  • Use your coverage experiences to develop a strong story portfolio that will enhance job prospects.
  • Cover NCAA Division I sporting events and athletes. Benefit from a unique relationship between the sports media program and EIU athletics that allows students easy access to players and coaches.
  • Easily double-major throughout the School of Communication, Journalism & Theatre
"I didn't expect to get real experience this early, but by my sophomore year I was already working on projects that felt like actual marketing work. It made me feel confident that I'm ready for what comes next."
Alex Wilcoxon
Marketing | Junior
Alex Wilcoxon, Marketing at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • On-the-ground reporting at EIU games allows students to interview athletes and coaches alongside professional peers.
  • Put your training into practice by covering EIU athletic teams for the award-winning Daily Eastern News. At the DEN, you can cover games, attend practices, write features and have your work recognized through national competitions.
  • Report on local, regional, and national sports at News Watch, our live, student-run newscast. Students will gain experience at putting together story packages and be on camera giving their reports.
  • Work behinds the scenes with the ESPN+ production truck when it visits campus to cover EIU sporting events.
  • Photograph live sports with one-on-one mentoring alongside our photojournalism professor.
Explore Courses
Hands-On Experience, Sports Media students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The Sports Media major prepares students for their dream job, whether it’s to report from the sideline, anchor a sports broadcast, manage media relations for an athletic organization, or tell the stories that define athletes and teams. Through hands-on coursework, live event coverage, and direct access to NCAA Division I athletics, you'll build a professional portfolio of bylines, reels, and production experiences while still in school.

View in Catalog
$54,038
Median Salary 4 Years After Graduation

Career Outcomes

  • News Analysts, Reporters, &…
  • Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Career Insights

Job Outlook Average Outlook
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)
Personality Fit Artistic

Connect With Us

Tim Drachlis
Journalism Instructor
tcdrachlis@eiu.edu
Buzzard Hall 2521
217-581-6003
Tim Drachlis Message Tim

Message Tim

or email tcdrachlis@eiu.edu directly
Dr. Matthew Gill
Department Chair
mjgill@eiu.edu
Buzzard Hall 2521
217-581-6003
Dr. Matthew Gill Message Dr. Gill

Message Dr. Gill

or email mjgill@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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