I did not know what to expect when I signed up for Sport and Strategic Communication. But since I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication and am now trying to earn my master’s in Sports Management, I thought this class would be perfect. When I enrolled in this course, I had the sense that I would enjoy this class. However, I was not prepared for what this course had to offer. From watching lectures about important topics in the sports industry to building a connection with my sports professional penpal, to making this sports journal in general. I am leaving this class very grateful that I was able to combine sports and communication, two subjects I absolutely love.

The sport professional penpal seemed intimidating at first, especially because that meant that I would have to reach out to professionals through LinkedIn with the possibility of not hearing back from them. I eventually found a sports professional and was able to complete the three assignments without any problems. I enjoyed the content that was created because of who my penpal ended up being. But what the assignments really taught me was the importance of networking and the knowledge that can come from it. This is why these three assignments were valuable to me. In the sports industry, building a connection is important because it can open doors for me. I am a very reserved person, and this class has shown me that there is advice, ideas, and opportunities to be made in sport communication with the help of networking.

The most valuable module, in my opinion, was “Evolutions in Sports Communication” because Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights in collegiate athletics were discussed. NIL is such a hot topic right now in the sports world. Nowadays, I am loving college athletics much more than professional sports, so it was interesting learning about a topic that intrigues me. NIL has really changed the landscape of the NCAA. NIL deals have made it possible for top players to get endorsement deals from top athletic brands (Nike, Adidas, New Balance), Gatorade, Bose, local car dealerships, and other things. Furthermore, some players are even entering the NCAA transfer portal because they are getting bigger and better NIL deals from other schools. It’s mirroring an NBA or NFL free agency, in my opinion. Some people think NIL is ruining college athletics, while others believe the players deserve to get the money that matches their talent after so many years of not legally getting paid. I think I lie somewhere in the middle because players absolutely deserve to be paid what they are worth. But certain aspects, like clear tampering to recruit student athletes by promising them big NIL deals as a way to convince them to enter the transfer portal, should be unethical.

This class has done a great job of showing me that I am capable of a career in the sports industry. Getting to create sports content has increased my confidence and reassured me that a master’s in Sport Management was the correct choice for me. If I had to do it again, I would take this class in a heartbeat. Communication is happening 24/7 in the sports world. Understanding exactly how it is happening across eight modules has been valuable. Working in the sports industry is much more than just loving sports; individuals must show that they are knowledgeable and bring certain skill sets to the table. What this class does for students is help them transcend their love for sports by helping them adequately communicate that love. Anyone can have a passion for sports, but showing employers what you bring to the table is another thing. This sports journal is a step in helping myself stand out from others.