Nine Newhouse Sports Media Center Students are Heading to NFL Training Camp
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Continuing a partnership since 2019, the Newhouse Sports Media Center and Nexstar are teaming up to send nine current Newhouse Broadcast and Digital Journalism graduate students to five NFL cities to report on training camp in July 2024. Newhouse students will be at WPRI 12 in Providence, WDVM TV in Washington, D.C., Fox 59 in Indianapolis, Fox 46 in Charlotte, North Carolina and WFRV in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The NFL Training Camp Capstone began back in 2019 through Newhouse’s partnership with the Nexstar Media Group. For many years, Newhouse had partnered with Nexstar for a DC capstone for graduate students where students acted as political reporters for local news stations. As interests in sports media grew it was clear to Olivia Stomski, the Director of the Newhouse Sports Media Center, that it was time for more opportunities to be made.
“We knew that we needed to create an opportunity similar for the sports students, so I worked with Jerry Walsh, SVP of Local Content Development, and we created the NFL Training Camp Capstone,” said Stomski.
The goal of this capstone was to give these select students hands on industry experience to cap off a year of intensive journalism training.
“Our students are at camp every day, interviewing NFL Players, coaches, and personnel to produce packages for their station. It is an incredible opportunity to work every day in a professional and fast paced environment, so we see that our students improve on many levels while at camp,” said Stomski.
One alumnus saw the value of this experience firsthand when he was offered a job from his capstone experience in Washington, DC covering the Commanders training camp. Tyger Munn ’23 didn’t go into his experience at the NFL Training Camp Capstone looking for a job, but he attributes landing a job at the station he interned for in a top 10 market as the reason he is where he is today.
“If there is anything you can show at an internship, it is to show that you can work hard because that will always be applicable to anything,” said Munn.
Samantha Croston, another alum who participated in the NFL Training Camp Capstone in 2021, is now a reporter at WSTM in Syracuse, NY. Croston has some advice for students about to embark on their next adventure.
“I think with anything else in life, what you give is what you get. You have to understand… these organizations are really the ones doing you a favor,” said Croston. “Just because you’re there interning for six weeks doesn’t mean that their day job stops. They’re really fitting you into an already busy time of their year, so you have to take the initiative and really ask for the things that you want.”
The Newhouse Sports Media Center is excited to announce the nine capstone participants for 2024:
Kalia Butler and Griffin Della Penna: WPVI in Providence for the New England Patriots
“It means so much to be selected to the NFL Training Camp Capstone. There are so many talented students in this program, and I am so lucky and grateful to be selected for this opportunity and I cannot thank Professor Stomski enough. This program has given me so many opportunities and my professors have believed in me since I got on campus so to go somewhere and utilize the tools and skills this university has given me to prepare me for opportunities like this, I can’t wait to make them proud,” said Butler.
“With this opportunity I want to prove that I’m able to make the transition as a college student to a full-time professional. Interning at a station like WPRI will allow me daily opportunities to add NFL content to my reel,” said Della Penna
Bailee Tucker and Drew VonScio: Fox 59 in Indiana for the Indianapolis Colts
“I’m looking forward to experiencing what a real newsroom is like. This is a career that I’ve always wanted to work in, and I feel that this capstone opportunity will give me real world experience that I wouldn’t find somewhere else,” said Tucker.
“This opportunity is another step closer to my dream coming true, so I’m really hoping to just meet as many different people as I can. I want to prove to my news and sports directors in Indianapolis that I can do this while also proving to myself that I can do this. I want to be able to use the connections I make in my time in Indianapolis as resources for the rest of my career in a variety of ways, and I hope someday I am in the shoes of people I will meet and pass down what I know to future generations of sports reporters,” said VonScio.
Patrick Smith: WFRV in Green Bay, Wisconsin for the Green Bay Packers
“I hope to gain invaluable experience that will sharpen my reporting skills and broaden my understanding of professional sports journalism. Covering an NFL team like the Packers will provide unique challenges and learning opportunities, from crafting compelling stories to managing the fast-paced nature of sports news. Ultimately, I aim to build a strong portfolio that showcases my abilities and passion for sports journalism,” said Smith.
Taylor Mascetta and TJ O’Sullivan: WDVM-TV in Washington, D.C. for the Washington Commanders
“I’m hoping to learn more about the inner workings of the station I’m working at. The in-person opportunity will be great to have before I start the job search. I also am looking forward to speaking with the athletes and learning more about getting the best interviews possible,” said Mascetta.
“I’ve covered dozens of collegiate-level sporting events. I’m very used to working with college athletes, this will be my first time working with pros. It’s a different level of coverage, one that I’ve never experienced before. I’m excited to get that experience of working with not only professional players, but also with NFL beat writers and broadcasters. I think brushing shoulders with some of those names in the media room will be a good learning experience for all of us,” said O’Sullivan.
Madison Palumbo and Justin Wilson: Fox 46 in Charlotte, NC for the Carolina Panthers
“I am hoping to further increase my confidence during this experience. Getting numerous repetitions in a professional environment will enable me to try new things. I hope to also gain more insight working in a professional environment. This opportunity will set me up success and prepare me for my first full-time role,” said Palumbo.
“I’m looking forward to learning more on sports reporting and being able to meet new people. The chance to meet athletes and those around football is going to be amazing. I am ready to make connections,” said Wilson.
These nine students will hit the road in mid July as they embark on their final adventure before they official receive their masters’ degrees at the end of August. Be sure to follow the students on their paths via X and on their respective station’s websites.