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Sports Media

Also offered as: Minor , Journalism (Major)

Learn how to report and write about sports and the people involved in them. Besides covering NCAA Division I games and talking to athletes, you'll go beyond the scoreboard to explore the factors that shape the 21st-century sports world.

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Sports Media

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Degree Level
Bachelor of Arts
Delivery
In Person
Time to Degree
8 Semesters
Credit Hours
120 Total, 48 in Major
Careers
Reporters,, Journalists, Postsecondary
Sports Media students at EIU

Why Study Sports Media at EIU?

  • Become part of one of the only accredited sports media majors in Illinois.
  • Develop strong writing, reporting, communication, and analytical skills through game stories, social media posts, columns and feature articles. These skills make our graduates competitive in multiple fields.
  • Use your coverage experiences to develop a strong story portfolio that will enhance job prospects.
  • Cover NCAA Division I sporting events and athletes. Benefit from a unique relationship between the sports media program and EIU athletics that allows students easy access to players and coaches.
  • Easily double-major throughout the School of Communication, Journalism & Theatre
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"My experience at EIU could not have been better. While in the classroom, I got to learn from amazing, engaging faculty who helped build my skills and confidence, and outside of the classroom, I got to be part of an amazing community and make lifelong memories."
Joshua Northam
Sports Media | Class of 2026
Joshua Northam, Sports Media at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • On-the-ground reporting at EIU games allows students to interview athletes and coaches alongside professional peers.
  • Put your training into practice by covering EIU athletic teams for the award-winning Daily Eastern News. At the DEN, you can cover games, attend practices, write features and have your work recognized through national competitions.
  • Report on local, regional, and national sports at News Watch, our live, student-run newscast. Students will gain experience at putting together story packages and be on camera giving their reports.
  • Work behinds the scenes with the ESPN+ production truck when it visits campus to cover EIU sporting events.
  • Photograph live sports with one-on-one mentoring alongside our photojournalism professor.
Explore Courses
Hands-On Experience, Sports Media students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The B.A. in Sports Media prepares you to report from the sideline, anchor a sports broadcast, manage media relations for an athletic organization or tell the stories that define athletes and teams. It is a fit if you love sports, enjoy writing and speaking and want to go beyond the scoreboard to understand the factors that shape the 21st-century sports world.

Program 4-Year Sequence Curriculum
View in Catalog
$54,038
Median Salary 4 Years After Graduation

Career Outcomes

  • News Analysts, Reporters, &…
  • Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Career Insights

Job Outlook Average Outlook
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)
Personality Fit Artistic

Connect With Us

Tim Drachlis
Journalism Instructor
tcdrachlis@eiu.edu
2521 Buzzard Hall
217-581-6003
Tim Drachlis Message Tim

Message Tim

or email tcdrachlis@eiu.edu directly
Matthew Gill
Department Chair
mjgill@eiu.edu
Buzzard Hall 2521
217-581-6003
Matthew Gill Message Matthew

Message Matthew

or email mjgill@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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