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College of Creative Arts and Media: Reed School of Media and Communications

Sports and Adventure Media, BSJ

Are you a natural storyteller with a passion for the outdoors? Are you ready to immerse yourself in high-tech media to bring the big game to life?

Sports and adventure media professionals are in the moment — on the sidelines capturing game-day video or traveling across state lines for a travel blog — and they put the audience right there with them.

They use the latest technologies to produce stories for web and social media or make advertising pitches to worldwide brands. They are camera operators who coordinate promotions or make edits from the production room. And they experience rock climbing, mountain biking and rafting GoPro-style.

As a Sports and Adventure Media major, you’ll develop skills in storytelling, audience engagement, media ethics, audio/video production, writing and marketing, preparing you to enter an ever-changing digital media landscape and stand out as a leader in the field.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Places and Spaces Admission Requirements Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Sports and adventure fans want information fast and on-the-go, and employers are looking for professional communicators with specialized skills to handle the demand.

As a Sports and Adventure Media student, you will gain real-world, tangible experience through skills-based courses and access to modern facilities, the latest digital technology and opportunities in audio and video production.

To graduate, all College of Media majors must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. Sports and Adventure Media students complete:

  • A media-focused first year seminar course
  • General Education Foundations (GEF) courses like English, math and science
  • Additional courses outside of the major including statistics, economics and sociology
  • Core media courses including writing and ethics
  • Required courses in Sports and Adventure Media
  • Sports and Adventure Media electives of your choosing
  • Elective courses of your choosing outside of the major

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • MDIA 325:
    Podcast Reporting and Production

    Podcasting is a growing aspect of the media industry. In this course, students will learn how to report and produce a professional-level podcast through a class podcast series as well as through listening to and critiquing class assignments and professional podcasts.

  • MDIA 361:
    Media Relations In Sport

    Provides an in-depth understanding of how effective public relations plays an integral role in any sports organization via a myriad of communication efforts used in the dissemination of information to the media and the public.

  • JRL 435:
    Live Sports Video Production

    Master production and coverage of live sporting events, including television terminology, camera operation, live directing, live technical directing, digital signage execution and instant replay. Get real-world practice with more than 10 of WVU’s Division I sports.

  • JRL 424:
    Adventure Travel Writing and Photography

    Learn how to engage an audience by curating content and video and producing and packaging this information in explainer and short social videos for a professional digital publication. In addition, students obtain first-hand experience producing mobile-first content.

  • JRL 448:
    Digital Publication: Social Video

    Learn how to engage an audience by curating content and video and producing and packaging this information in explainer and short social videos for a professional digital publication. In addition, students obtain first-hand experience producing mobile-first content.

  • JRL 484:
    Advanced Sports Video Production

    Go live on location at sports events, including WVU’s Division I games, and adventure events, like Bridge Day in Fayetteville, West Virginia, to create video packages for the student-run Mountaineer Playbook broadcast news program. This course focuses on in-the-field reporting, studio operations and producing.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Adventure Media

  • Sports Media

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Only known undergraduate major in the country to focus on sports and adventure media.
  • Adventure WV program
  • Highly competitive D1 athletic program
  • Partnership with Big 12 Now on ESPN+ allows students to report from the sidelines and provide technical support on game day for ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox FS1 and SkyCam Tech.
  • Robust student media with the award-winning Daily Athenaeum student newspaper and U92 student radio station.
  • Funding available for study abroad and major market internships.
  • On-campus facilities include the Media Innovation Center, University Forest and Zip Line Canopy Tour
  • One of only 115 journalism/communication programs accredited worldwide by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
  • Purpose Center - Discover your values and strengths to guide your educational path and personal journey.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Picture yourself in front of an ESPN camera, reporting live from a Big 12 game in the WVU Coliseum or on Mountaineer Field. Students report from the sidelines and provide technical support on game day for ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox FS1 and SkyCam Tech.

The Perfect Place for Adventure
West Virginia is the ideal setting for professional field experiences like whitewater rafting, rock climbing and mountain biking. Students also have the opportunity to travel to places like Arches National Park in Utah as part of the Adventure Travel Writing and Photography Course.

WVU News
Learn to write, report, shoot, direct, anchor, edit and produce a newscast, working alongside professionals in a modern, HD television studio. Covering events on campus and throughout the Morgantown community, the newscast streams on Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV website, on the HD Media website and airs statewide on West Virginia Public Broadcasting and the City of Morgantown’s Public Access Channel.

The Daily Athenaeum
Official student newspaper at WVU. The DA was founded in 1887 and draws students from all disciplines to contribute original content for publication. Today, the DA is a 24/7 digital-first media organization that includes print, online, video and podcasting.

U92
Since 1982, U92 The Moose, WWVU-FM is the source of new music and broadcaster development at West Virginia University. U92 plays a daily mix of fresh alternative music, along with news, sports, and specialty and curated genre shows.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Sports and Adventure Media students intern with companies like AT&T SportsNet, ESPN and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Broadcast Technicians

Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs. Control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts. Operate transmitter to broadcast radio or television programs.

Median Salary: $57,690

Possible job titles include: Audio Engineer, Board Operator, Broadcast Engineer, Broadcast Maintenance Engineer, Broadcast Operations Engineer, Broadcast Technician, Control Operator, Maintenance Engineer, Production Assistant, Production Engineer.

Explore Career

Photographers

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise or other subjects, using digital or film cameras and equipment. May develop negatives or use computer software to produce finished images and prints. Includes scientific photographers, aerial photographers and photojournalists.

Median Salary: $40,760

Possible job titles include: Commercial Photographer, Photographer, Photojournalist, Portrait Photographer, Advertising Photographer, Sports Photographer, Studio Photographer, Photo Editor, Portrait Photographer, Graduation Photographer, Newspaper Photographer.

Explore Career

Media Programming Directors

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $82,510

Possible job titles include: Director, Program Director, Program Manager, Programming Director, Station Manager, Newscast Director, Production Director, Television Program Director.

Explore Career

Radio and Television Announcers

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio or television. May announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

Median Salary: $44,890

Possible job titles include: Anchor, Announcer, News Anchor, Television News Anchor (TV News Anchor).

Explore Career

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Analyze, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources.

Median Salary: $57,500

Possible job titles include: Anchor, Broadcast Meteorologist, News Anchor, News Director.

Explore Career

Public Relations Specialists

Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $66,750

Possible job titles include: Account Executive, Public Affairs Specialist, Public Information Officer, Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist).

Explore Career

Editors

Plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. Includes technical editors.

Median Salary: $75,020

Possible job titles include: Editor, Managing Editor, Newspaper Copy Editor, Sports Editor.

Explore Career

Film and Video Editors

Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $66,600

Possible job titles include: Editor, News Editor, Video Editor, Videographer.

Explore Career

Career Options

Sports and Adventure Media students get experience covering Big 12 sporting events and adventure experiences for live production while in school so they’re ready to pursue careers as:

  • Sports writers
  • Announcers
  • Video producers
  • Digital media editors
  • Social media specialists
  • Promotions coordinators
  • Multimedia specialists

Places and Spaces

Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

Featurette - Media Innovation Center - 37654 S MSS 0008 XX

Media Innovation Center

The Media Innovation Center is an open-door, cross-discipline media space that provides the latest digital and interactive tools to develop original, story-based, digital media experiences. Our co-innovation philosophy and embrace of innovation for social change leads our belief that every community should have the access, tools and skills to shape its own story, identity and future.

Explore the Media Innovation Center
Facilities Thumbnail - Zip line canopy tour

Zip Line Canopy Tour

WVU has the only University-owned and operated zip line. The zip line canopy tour consists of:

  • 4 zip lines
  • 7 tree-based platforms
  • Aerial bridge
  • Aerial ladder
  • 45-foot exit rappel
Explore the Zip Line Canopy Tour
  • Virtual Tour
    It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.
  • Student Life
    You will have it all here — epic traditions, quality academics and a supportive community that feels like home.
  • Visit
    Experience WVU in person and start imagining life as a Mountaineer!

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Sports and Adventure Media major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Sports and Adventure Media at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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