By: Chris Wakefield
The Broadcast Education Association recently ranked the Sports Media Production curriculum (Sports Link) at Ball State University as the top sports program in the nation.
Chris Taylor, the Senior Director of Sports Production at Ball State University, notes that a key factor in the program’s success is that graduates often secure careers with major sports production companies shortly after completing the program. He calls Sports Link, “Immersive learning at its finest.”
Taylor says students in the program receive hands-on experience with companies like ESPN. He says they get the chance to work on documentaries, studio shows, and more. Often, students leaving the program are hired by networks like ESPN, FOX, and TNT before they graduate. Taylor says the opportunity to graduate with a four-year portfolio under your belt is rare and valuable.
In 2024, students in the program won 39 awards, including an Emmy. Taylor says this instills confidence and inspires new students to join the program. “It shows that we’re doing things right.”
Taylor says of placing at the top of the sports program list from the Broadcast Education Association, “That was a big goal for me.” And now that BSU is on top, he wants to stay there.