UK Students Assist ESPNU Crew to Produce UK Men's Basketball Broadcast

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2016) — While University of Kentucky men's basketball fans watch the team compete on television, they may not realize the hard work that goes into making the broadcast a success. Through a program dubbed ESPNU Campus Connection, students from colleges and universities across the nation are invited to assist the ESPNU broadcasting team in producing live game broadcasts.

On Nov. 6, 2015, a group of UK students from the College of Communication and Information helped produce a live broadcast when the UK men's basketball team played Kentucky State University at Rupp Arena.

Students who are selected to participate in the program have the opportunity to serve in different editorial roles such as producer, sideline reporter, play-by-play announcer and camera operator. Through this experience students learn valuable skills for their future including teamwork, networking, live broadcasting and the ins and outs of the production process.

Students Nick Jourdan and Riley Miller were part of the Campus Connection program at UK. Both Jourdan and Miller became involved with the program through the guidance of their professors in the UK School of Journalism and Telecommunications.

Jourdan, a senior journalism major, said as a native Kentuckian, being on the court at Rupp Arena during game preparations and assisting the ESPNU crew was a dream come true.

Jourdan said the most valuable lesson he learned throughout his Campus Connection experience was the importance of coordination and teamwork.

For Jourdan, Campus Connection was a great way to apply what he has learned in the classroom throughout his time at UK.

"I learned that one person cannot do everything, and that you really have to work well as a team in order for whatever you are doing to be successful," Jourdan said. "Communication with everyone around you is such an important factor in this as well."

Jourdan also learned the importance of teamwork.

"It takes a ton of coordination and teamwork from everyone involved to put together a broadcast worthy of the ESPN branding," Jourdan said. "Whether it be holding a camera cable, or actually running the camera itself, every position has a purpose. There is not one position where somebody is not doing anything."

Miller, a senior broadcast journalism and communication major, has worked with the ESPNU Campus Connection program over the past two years. She says her time with the program has been a great learning experience and has made her more excited to begin her career.

"It was a wonderful networking opportunity, and one of my favorite parts was meeting new people and having new contacts that could help me in the future as I pursue broadcasting," Miller said.

Miller believes her experience and things she learned through the Campus Connection program will propel her into her future career.

"I learned a lot about what it takes to put on a broadcast, but I also realized the importance in loving what you do. Having passion for your career will take you far," Miller said.

Miller provided some advice for those considering participating in the program.

"Take advantage of every opportunity that you can. You never know what it may lead to. Having a positive attitude and passion for what you do will take you far," said Miller. "Every single role involved in putting on a broadcast like that is extremely important — no matter how small it may seem."

If you would like more information about the Campus Connection program, email espnu.campus.connection@espn.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, 859-257-6398; blair.hoover@uky.edu