The Center for Sports Media, in partnership with the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Development, recently celebrated the successful completion of its first Sports Media and Business Academy, a new pre-degree program designed to give high school students an in-depth understanding of the rapidly evolving sports industry. The course, held July 15-19 at the South Orange campus, brought together students with a passion for sports and a desire to learn more about the business and media aspects of the field.

Throughout the week, participants took part in a series of interactive sessions covering a wide range of topics, including the economic forces that drive the sports industry, the role of the media in shaping public perceptions, and the ethical challenges facing modern sport. The program’s curriculum was designed to not only explore the business side of sport, but also encourage critical thinking about the social impact of sport on issues such as race, gender equality, and amateurism.

Executive Director of Seton Hall’s Center for Sports Media, BJ Schecter, led the academy, drawing on his extensive experience in the sports media industry. The program included guest speakers from prominent sports organizations and media companies who shared their insights with the students and gave them a glimpse into the careers they hope to enter. Guests included Peter King, John Fanta, Matt Loughlin, Charles Grantham, Len DeLuca, Bob Boland and Devon Corneal. In total, Schecter invited 10 industry experts over the five days.

“It was an extraordinary opportunity for these young students to dive deep into the complexities of the sports industry,” said Schecter. “Our goal was to give them not only knowledge, but the tools to think critically and creatively about the future of sports. Some incredible professionals shared their expertise with us, and the students really rose to the challenge and brought new ideas and perspectives.”

The hands-on approach and exposure to industry leaders provided students with a unique, immersive experience that many described as transformative.
Although the guests spoke about different aspects of the sports industry, many shared similar key takeaways. They advised students on the importance of building relationships while gaining trust in those relationships. Another key lesson was that everyone needs to be adaptable as the sports industry is constantly evolving. To be successful, you need to stay one step ahead and to do that, it is important to adapt to new changes. Finally, the last key lesson that all of the guest speakers touched on was to say yes to every opportunity. Everyone should say yes to all opportunities, even if it is something you may not want to do as it could open up other paths to success.

King, a three-time winner of the Sports Journalist of the Year award, advised the students: “If you want to work in sports media, you have to be open-minded. You can’t predict where the business will take you – you just can’t. You want to stand out. You will get ahead by standing out, being curious and showing your own personality.”

Although there was a lot to cover in a short amount of time, students had time to reflect on current events that are changing the sports industry, including the big discussion about NIL (Name, Image and Likeliness). In addition to classes, students also had the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at Seton Hall’s award-winning radio station, WSOU, as well as the school’s television and sports facilities.

“The speakers and sessions exceeded my expectations,” said Irfan Navsariwala, a rising high school student from Southern California who served as a teaching assistant. “I learned so much about the different career paths in sports and how to look at sports in a broader context. The week definitely shaped how I view my future in this field.” Navsariwala plans to apply to Seton Hall.

The success of the first Sports Media and Business Academy has paved the way for future versions of the program as Seton Hall continues to expand its sports education offerings.

“This was just the beginning,” said Schecter. “We have ambitious plans to offer more programs like the Sports Media and Business Academy to students across the country. We will continue to research and innovate in a field that is evolving by the minute.” He added, “Plus, I expect many of the participants will be future Pirates because of their positive experience at the Academy!”

About the Center for Sports Media at Seton Hall

Seton Hall University’s Center for Sports Media, part of the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, stands at the intersection of sports, media, and societal issues. Founded in 2021 with a vision inspired by the pioneering work of Bob Ley and his groundbreaking show
Outside the linesThe center is dedicated to educating the next generation of leaders in sports media and business. Through a combination of academic rigor, hands-on experience, and industry partnerships, the center is shaping the future of sports media education while strengthening Seton Hall’s commitment to ethical leadership and community engagement.

Categories: Athletics, Economy