Sports Media Fellowship Program
Gain real-world experience right from the sidelines
Now Accepting 2026 Applicants
The Sports Media Fellowship is a four-year, experiential co-curricular learning program for students specializing in Sports Media. It combines:
- Practical, real-world experience
- Structured, hands-on media production
- Leadership development beyond the classroom
Fellowship students commit to a high level of depth, leadership, rigor, and time, enhancing their college experiences while working alongside TU Athletics, digital media majors, and sports broadcast crew members. Through this program, students explore and work toward a mastery in areas of broadcasting, on-air talent, and production management.
Our goal is to develop highly versatile, industry-ready media professionals through scaffolded, real-world experience. Fellows graduate with advanced skills in broadcasting, storytelling, digital production, and leadership across a variety of platforms.
The Sports Media Fellowship allows students to grow their passion for sports from the sidelines. Students who complete the fellowship graduate with:
- Mastery in live sports production, visual storytelling, and digital media.
- Proven leadership, project management, and collaborative experience.
- A broadcast-ready professional portfolio and demo reel.
- Exposure to professional networks through faculty mentorship and external partnerships.
- Career readiness across sports and non-sports sectors, including broadcasting, production, media relations, and content creation.
- Confidence to present at academic and industry events like BEA and NAB Show.
Sports Media Fellowship Experience
Year 1: Foundations
- Learn core broadcast roles (camera, audio, graphics, etc.) and media ethics.
- Participate in hands-on labs and entry-level Digital Media coursework.
- Focus: Leadership of Self (time management, responsibility, teamwork).
Year 2: Collaboration & Skill Building
- Take on increased production responsibilities (TD, pregame, setups).
- Develop storytelling, highlight reels, and sports writing skills.
- Begin building a professional portfolio.
- Focus: Leadership of Others (mentoring, communication, peer collaboration).
Year 3: Specialization & Professional Prep
- Choose a production emphasis (directing, editing, on-air, reporting, writing).
- Lead live event crews and mentor new students.
- Work with internal and external partners (e.g. FloSports, TU Athletics, TU Club Sports), expanding into regional sports media coverage.
- Expand professional portfolio.
- Pursue networking connections and receive professional feedback.
- Focus: Leadership of Systems (team oversight, logistics, creative leadership).
Year 4: Capstone & Career Integration
- Lead major projects (short/long-form documentaries, podcast series, special event coverage).
- Participate in internships or shadowing experiences.
- Deliver final projects in a Capstone Showcase presented to faculty, industry guests, and prospective students.
- Final portfolio review and career readiness coaching.
- Focus: Leadership of Legacy (program shaping, recruitment, mentoring future Fellows).
To Apply:
Application deadline is March 1.
- Complete the Undergraduate Student Application. When asked if you are interested in Fellowships, select “yes”.
- After submitting your application and engaging with your Admissions Counselor, submit an essay explaining why you are interested in the program.
- GPA requirement: minimum 3.0 high school GPA; maintain a 3.0 college GPA and above to remain in program.
- Interview
- Sports Media Fellowship Program contract — all students accepted into the Sports Media Fellowship Program must continue to meet the fellowship GPA requirements, be active and engaged in all fellowship activities, and observe all fellowship policies.
Tiffin University’s Sports Media Fellowship provides a great opportunity for students to hone their career ready skills by developing their ability to lead, work in teams, and sharpen their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Your cohort membership will give you a jump start on developing your professional network through the people you get to meet and work with.
