Sports Promotion: Home run for new ADPR class

If the Sports Promotion and Publicity class is any indication, Grady College's new Sports Journalism initiative is sure to be a hit. Students gain firsthand knowledge of the various components of the sports communications world through a unique combination of experience, diversity, collaboration, and emersion.

Instructor and sports promotion specialist Bryan Harris brings his own years of experience of working with the Atlanta based PR firm, Jackson Spalding. In addition, students hear from guest speakers, such as sports journalist Welch Suggs, ESPN reporter Michelle Steele (joining via Skype) and others who share their expertise on topics such as athletic team promotion, corporate sports sponsorships, athlete management, media relations, contemporary sports writing and event planning.

To supplement the classroom experience, students keep up with current events through a subscription to the Sports Business Journal, as well as contribute to a blog in collaboration with Grady's sports writing class. Senior PR major Tina Theriault said, "The weekly assignments are not only a helpful way to stay engaged and be prepared for class discussion, but they are interesting! I've always been driven to work in the sports industry, so I am looking forward to the real-world insight the multitude of speakers will provide."

The classroom diversity of notable as well. While all of the students are Grady majors, not everyone showed an initial interest in sports promotion. Senior advertising and graphic design major Caroline Eddleman said, "I took this class because I needed another Grady elective, but I have been so impressed with how Mr. Harris goes out of his way each class to make connections between what we are discussing and my interests. He has really opened my eyes to the limitless options available to me."

Other guest professionals this semester include SI.com's Holly Anderson; UGA Sports Information Director Claude Felton; Atlanta Falcons's VP, Football Communications Reggie Roberts; The Coca-Cola Company's VP, Public Affairs and Communications Scott Williamson; Bloomberg News' Mike Buteau; CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell; Jackson Spalding's Cultivation Team and several others.

—Carly Nash

Pictured above: Spencer Hall of the blog Every Day Should be Saturday and Holly Anderson, blogger for SI.com lead the class with Bryan Harris