Ball State Sports Link, the nation’s first four-year academic track in sports media and production, is hosting a High School Sports Media Summit on Ball State’s campus Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.
This historic summit provides learning and professional development opportunities in sports media production, learning from current industry and media professionals in a day of sessions, panels and workshops.
Opportunities will focus on Sports Link’s main core principles of education and innovation — Storytelling, Live Event Production, Content Creation and On-Air Talent development.
Sports Link is ranked No. 2 in the nation by the Broadcast Education Association for top sports media schools and is the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters Sports Media School of the Year.
Please note, registration for the Summit is now closed.
Download Program Schedule Here
8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Micro Sessions
Designed for attendees who arrive early to campus, these micro sessions will be a quick, yet informative.
Studio C: LED/VR Wall Demonstration
Alex Kartman, Ball State
Rachel Henderson, Ball State
OR
Sports Link: What is Ball State Sports Link?
Evan Cummings, Ball State
Nate Locker, Ball State
9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. | Summit Begins
Studio A: 2050 Vision
Sarah Myer, Chief of Staff & Strategy, Indiana Sports Corp
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | Session 1
Studio A: Storytelling Still Wins
Why storytelling across all themes is still what matters in sports media and the reason your audiences watch or listen. The panel will also discuss industry readiness as you prepare for your future.
Panelists:
Allison Aycock, Bleacher Report/Turner Sports
Connor Onion, Fox Sports
J.C. Obringer, ESPN
Zach Hughes, Indiana Pacers/Indiana Fever
Al Szymanski, Ball State
11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Session 2: Choose Your Own Track
Studio A: Behind The Madness
A deep dive into all things March Madness from streaming to social media, including tournament content delivery across multiple platforms and @MarchMadnessMBB strategy. Plus, what does the team at Turner Sports and NCAA Digital look for when adding to their staff?
Panelists:
Michael Benzie, NCAA Digital & March Madness
Chad Aycock, NCAA Digital & March Madness
Allison Aycock, Bleacher Report/Turner Sports
OR
Studio C: More Than A Voice: Play-By-Play Fundamentals
As the demand for sports media production and unique content grows, so too does the need for talented people trained to share information in an entertaining and skillful manner. In front of a camera or behind-the mic, sports broadcasting is more than a voice.
Panelists:
Connor Onion, Fox Sports
Noah Reed, NBC Sports/ESPN/Fox Sports
Dillon Welch, NBC Sports/NASCAR/Indy Car
Mick Tidrow, Ball State Sports
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Networking Break
12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Session 3 : Choose Your Own Track
Studio A: Producing Live Sports
Live sports production is an exciting and challenging endeavor that requires careful planning, coordination, and execution. Whether you are producing a local high school basketball game, college football or ESPN Championships, leaders will discuss keys to producing a high-quality production that delivers an engaging and entertaining experience for viewers.
Panelists:
Natalie Steger, NCAA
Kyle Binder, Tupelo Honey
J.C. Obringer, ESPN
Nathan Bush, Notre Dame
OR
Studio C: More Than A Voice: Play-By-Play Preparation
In front of a camera or behind-the mic, sports broadcasting is more than a voice. This panel will focus on the preparation needed for play-by-play and on-air presentation, including charts, storylines and delivery.
Panelists:
Connor Onion, Fox Sports
Noah Reed, NBC Sports/ESPN/Fox Sports
Dillon Welch, NBC Sports/NASCAR/Indy Car
Hudson French, Ball State/Arizona State
1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. | Session 4
Studio A: From Concept To Content Creation
Break through the noise, and cut through the clutter. In a landscape oversaturated with linear and digital sports content, learn how paying strategic attention to both a unique visual and storytelling approach will elevate your content above the rest.
Panelists:
Chad Aycock, NCAA Digital & March Madness
Michael Benzie, NCAA Digital & March Madness
Tyler Bradfield, BH x Creative
Zach Hughes, Indiana Pacers/Indiana Fever
2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Summit Closing Remarks
Parking On-Campus
Please download this parking and campus map for locations.
Single attendees are encouraged to utilize self-pay options in any of our 3 parking garages where they can pay to park for $5.00 for the day. The two closest garages are circled in red on the above map.
Pre-paid parking may be done for $5.00 on our website located at this link. Pre-paid parking allows guests to park in any yellow or green lot on campus for the day. We recommend the C1 lot, circled in purple. Once you access the link above, click on “visitor permits” then “purchase a permit.” The rest will walk you through the process.
School vans, buses are arranged to park in restricted lot R2 for the day. We will staff this in the morning with a parking officer at the entrance and in the lot. See the orange circle for this parking location.
The Summit will take place in the Ball Communications building circled in blue.
Registration On-Campus
On-Campus Registration will be from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in the lobby of the David Letterman Communications and Media Building, directly across from Ball State’s Bell Tower. Each attendee will need to get their Summit credential for access to the studios.
Is There Food On Campus?
Because we have a FULL lineup and limited time, we are encouraging attendees to bring a pack lunch, get breakfast prior to the start of the sessions or have their pack lunch ready for the return home. We will have light snacks and drinks available throughout the day. Please know, lunch is not provided. Attendees can choose to have lunch in The Atrium, connected to the Ball Communications Building, on their own.