Looking back on my time in COMM 462: Sport Communication, I’ve learned a lot more than I expected about how communication really drives the sports world. As someone aiming for a career in baseball operations, it’s clear that understanding sports media and communication is essential to my future success. And with my internship at Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge coming up, this class has really opened my eyes to how I can apply these skills in the real world.

One of the first assignments that really stuck with me was the Sport Journal Submission. Creating a personal blog helped me see how important it is to have an online presence in this field. Building a professional identity online is something I hadn’t thought too much about before, but now I realize how crucial it is, especially in sports. This experience will definitely help me as I continue to develop my own brand—something I’ll need in the sports world, whether I’m talking about a game or engaging with fans.

Another standout assignment was the Athlete Activism piece. That really made me think about how athletes can use their platform for something bigger than the game. This is something I can relate to, especially when I think about being a minority. Understanding how activism can be communicated in the sports world is something I’ll carry with me, as the culture around sports continues to evolve.

The Game Report assignment was also eye-opening. I got to practice how to effectively convey game details and what matters most when reporting. That assignment felt like a great way to get my feet wet in what it would be like working with the media in sports operations—whether it’s writing press releases or responding to inquiries. And with my internship, where I’ll likely be helping to organize events and promotions, this skill will come in handy.

The Social Media Persona assignment really hit home for me. It showed me how to craft a persona that aligns with what you’re about, which is huge in today’s world. When you’re working in baseball operations or any area of sports, people are always looking at your online presence. Whether I’m working with fans or sponsors, I need to know how to manage that carefully. And with the internship, I’ll likely be handling social media, so this experience gave me a head start on how to create content that resonates and builds engagement.

At the end of the day, everything I’ve learned in this class—from writing reports to managing social media to building a professional identity—feels like the perfect setup for my next steps in baseball operations. These are the kinds of skills I can use in real-life situations at Ripken Experience, and they’ll help me grow in my career. I’m really excited to keep building on what I’ve learned and putting it to good use in the sports world.