Asbury Launches Sport Communication Concentration

January 30, 2024

The Asbury University School of Communication Arts is pleased to announce the new Sport Communication concentration within the Communication major. Designed to train communication experts in the sports industry — intertwining business and media with the opportunity for top internships — this 53-hour concentration launches in Fall 2024 and includes courses in sport marketing, public relations, broadcast news, media performance, and more.

“Everybody loves sports, and this degree is designed to open opportunities for students to work in the sports industry, having honed their communication skills,” said Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Jim Shores. “Whether you’re a sport communication director, content creator, marketing specialist, or social media manager, you will be well prepared for success.” 

Asbury has students who have interned and worked in the sports and athletics industry with organizations like NASCAR, the PGA Tour, the Cincinnati Reds, NFL Films, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans and more.

“I am looking forward to this new concentration because sports have been a baseline for my life for as long as I can remember,” said Asbury baseball player Jack Morris ’26. “What I love most about sports is the story that comes along with it, and the Sport Communication concentration will allow me to tell that story through a spiritual, relational, athletic, and personal lens.”

Asbury Women’s Basketball media manager Eleanor Asbury ’27 said she plans to use her Sport Communication degree to pursue videography and content creation for professional sports teams.

“As one of the first women on Asbury’s campus to declare my concentration in Sport Communication, I hope to empower other women to feel comfortable within the sports industry and impact media,” she said.

And, Asbury student-athletes, like baseball player Lance Preston ’27, desire to integrate their faith into their careers.

“I feel called to use my calling as an ambassador for Jesus Christ and let this bleed through into my profession,” Preston said. “This concentration seems like the perfect way to start my journey in the world of sports.” 

Asbury alumni continue to thrive in the sports world, such as Abby Witt ’16 who worked as a content producer and host for the PGA Tour, Austin Kindred ’18 who worked as a stadium experience coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, and Amanda Paschal ’12 who works as a managing producer for ESPN’s Creative Content Unit.

“Asbury helped me to succeed through the accessible professors, hands-on courses, and community,” Paschal said.

The Asbury University Communication & Theatre Department offers three majors (in Communication, Health Communication, and Theatre) and five minors (in Communication, Leadership, Public Relations, Social Media, and Theatre). Learn more: https://www.asbury.edu/academics/departments/communication-theatre/.