One of the stand-out components of graduate certificate programs at the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design is the real-world learning, which is greatly exemplified in our Sports Journalism program. With pandemic restrictions lifted, students are back to covering games in-person, allowing them to build upon their journalistic skills in a setting that can better prepare them for a career after graduation.
When the pandemic hit, students in the program at the time adapted to a virtual method of sports coverage, which still provided them with the knowledge and skill set to approach the industry confidently. However, live coverage has always typically been a part of the program and is something that Program Coordinator Malcolm Kelly says he has been looking forward to.
"There is no real comparison between doing something in person and doing it online. We worked very hard to present opportunities during COVID and did well, but having the chance to be there and do things live again is terrific," he says.
Similar to Malcolm's sentiments, Shi Davidi, an instructor in the program, shares, "Everything changes when there isn't a screen between reporter and interview subject. Person-to-person interaction, with humanity, empathy, curiosity, and tenacity, is at the heart of what we do. Understanding the in-person dynamics, how it changes without the safety of a computer between you, is critical to being successful over the long-term."
However, reflecting on the time when sports coverage was virtual for students, Malcolm and Shi share similar sentiments, particularly on the perseverance students displayed. Shi says, "The simple act of persisting and making do with what was available is, to me, what was most satisfying about the pandemic years."
He continues, "There were so many reasons to throw up hands and say we give up, or forget it, and instead everyone, students at the forefront, buckled down and said we'll make sure to get the learning in and skills down. Whether it was the virtual experiential weeks, the virtual game coverages or the virtual lectures, their grit and determination shone through."
Malcolm shares that he thought students did an amazing job adapting to the new program delivery at the time, especially since that was the way it had to happen. "They chose to come to us despite the pandemic, and we turned all our efforts to ensuring the program was as close to how it is designed to work as possible under the circumstances. I am so proud of the Class of 2020, Class of 2021, and Class of 2022," he adds.
Preparing for the games
Students in this cohort covered several events, including Toronto Marlies games; World Indoor Rowing Championships; a major media event with the Canadian Paralympic Committee, which Malcolm says is part of the program's ongoing commitment to Para Sports; and more. One of the always-anticipated components of the program is Spring Training in Tampa, Florida, which students also covered this month.
To prepare, Shi says that in the two courses he teaches, Sports Writing and Sports Interviewing, students practice before attending the events where they write game stories. He explains, "The goal is for the students to learn to write under deadline pressure while watching an event unfold before their eyes. It's tremendous prep for all types of reporting."
This preparation, which students apply when attending the games they cover, provides them with the hands-on learning they need to help them succeed long-term. Malcolm shares, "What separates our program from similar ones around North America is the amount of experiential learning we do. That means the 'experience' of doing it for yourself, either solo, in a small group, or with everyone. There is nothing so important as being there."
Shi also notes how positively impactful this experience is, as he says, "Getting the students back out to live events is so beneficial for their development. We do a lot of simulation work, but applying it in an actual sporting environment accelerates their growth."
Shi shares what's ahead for students: "The Blue Jays will once again open their pressbox to us to write a game story sometime in April. It's always a highlight experience for them, and I'm grateful to the club for being so supportive of their learning and our program."
We are thrilled that students are back to participating in the excitement of live sports coverage and are equally thrilled at the real-world skills students will take away.
Article by: Alexandra Few
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