Have you ever found yourself at a sporting event and wished you were covering the action? The University of Miami might just have the minor for you.
Starting this fall, the School of Communication’s Department of Journalism and Media Management is offering a sports minor.
One elective option is Sports Reporting (JMM 523/623) where students get the opportunity to learn from professionals while covering events in the Miami area. Michelle Kaufman, a UM adjunct professor and sports writer for the Miami Herald, has taught this class for the past 20 years.
Kaufman says that watching sports as a fan and having to be a neutral reporter are two separate experiences, and that students can learn if they are also interested in the behind-the-scenes aspect of sports through this class.
“When you’re in sports media, you’re not wearing team colors,” Kaufman said “ou’re not allowed to cheer in the press box, you’re an objective observer in your writing or broadcasting,.”
She says that this minor can be a way for students to get both of these perspectives and determine if they want a future in sports media.
“I think the only way to really determine if sports media is something you want to get into is to dabble in it. Take some classes and get practical experiences in it, which is what we are going to provide with this new minor,” Kaufman said.
Zach Rosan, a junior majoring in media management and psychology has already taken two of the required classes. He has not added the sports media minor yet, but has always had a passion for sports and may end up doing so.
Rosan says that this minor will be an asset to UM.
“It’s a growing field and providing a path into that sector is a great idea,” Rosan said.
Since Miami is home to five major league sports teams, students at UM get more experience covering high-profile professional sports games thanks to its proximity to a vibrant city.
Kaufman says that this aspect of Miami is advantageous for students interested in sports media.
“If you come to UM and you’re interested in sports media, you’re going to be in a treasure trove of sports,” she said.”You’re going to get opportunities to cover these as a student.”
Hard Rock Stadium also hosts the Miami Open and the Miami Grand Prix, attracting international, elite athletes. This upcoming summer, Miami is a host city for the FIFA World Cup.
Because of this, students are able to report on both college and professional sports teams in Miami and teams from around the world.
“Your highlight reel is not just going to be college sports,” Kaufman said.“It could be standing there at one Miami Open, at Formula One racing, with the Miami Dolphins, with the Miami Heat, with Lionel Messi.”
In addition to Kaufman, School of Communication faculty Erin Brown, Jonathan Gorchow, Trevor Green and Edward Julbe, along with SoC Dean Karin Wilkins, were the people most involved in adding this minor.
The sports media minor requires Writing for the Digital Age (JMM 108) and Sports and the Media (JMM 448) along with nine additional credits in sports media-related classes listed on the the bulletin.
For more information on how to add the sports media minor, contact your advisor and visit the UM Academic Bulletin to view the minor requirements.