![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/harrington\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2164\/sports-media-card.jpg\")
<\/div>Sports Media<\/h2>
Prepare for a career in the growing sports communication industry<\/p><\/div><\/div>
\u201cWith the ever-growing popularity of sports, there are great opportunities for students to find exciting careers in all aspects of sports media,\u201d said Adam Roth<\/a>, director of the Harrington School and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. \u201cThis program not only opens doors to careers as sports reporters and broadcasters, but also careers in marketing, advertising, and sales for large media outlets and professional sports teams.\u201d<\/p>\n The new program, which expands on a sports media minor offered for the first time in 2018, comes at an opportune time for students seeking careers in sports media fields. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects occupations in sports, media and communications, and related fields to grow significantly between 2016 and 2026.<\/p>\n Two URI graduates now working in the industry say the addition of the sports media major will greatly help students interested in sports communication careers, and distinguishes the Harrington School from other programs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sports industry is evolving day by day with a need for continuous innovation,\u201d said Josh Feinberg \u201908, director of group sales and hospitality with the Oakland Athletics who has also worked for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Brooklyn Nets. \u201cStudents at URI will now have a unique opportunity to make an impact more than ever on how fans enjoy sports in their stadium experience, on their mobile devices or in their living rooms.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStudents today have the ability to create their own unique college experiences based on the information at their fingertips,\u201d added Renee Greenwood, \u201908, M.A. \u201911, a controller with ESPN who also worked with the Boston and Pawtucket Red Sox. \u201cThat is why it\u2019s important that URI\u2019s offerings evolve, and the Harrington School is doing just that by adding the sports media program. URI provided me with the tools I needed to understand and execute sound journalism. With the sports media program, students will be trained to tell meaningful stories from around the globe, with empathy, respect and admiration.\u201d<\/p>\n The interdisciplinary major builds on the Harrington School\u2019s strengths in media and culture, journalism, communications, public relations, and production to provide students with critical and theoretical knowledge and practical experience in sports media. Students will develop advanced skills in sports journalism, broadcasting, public relations, writing, communications and sports data and analytics, allowing them to critically and effectively evaluate and produce sports media and communications across a wide variety of platforms.<\/p>\n \u201cStudents will be taught and challenged by real-world professionals as well as regular visits from well-known industry experts and celebrities,\u201d says Elizabeth Aube-VanPatten<\/a>, a new URI lecturer with 15 years\u2019 experience in sports management in professional sports and nonprofits. \u201cStudents will get an insightful insider\u2019s view of the importance of sports communication careers.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to the coursework, students will gain professional experience through internships and volunteer opportunities, and they will have the opportunity to meet alumni working in the sports industry as reporters, broadcasters, anchors, advertisers, public relations specialists and film producers.<\/p>\n