Alan Samson
Sports editor
The COM 3130 Sports Broadcasting class took advantage of a career opportunity by attending a Rome Braves game as part of the media staff. The class was given press passes and allowed to view the entire game and inner workings of the stadium.
Instructor Matthew LeHew worked alongside Rome Braves assistant manager Jim Jones to create this opportunity for the students. They were given press passes and witnessed the work put into a baseball pre-game up close. Senior communication major Haylee Hunt was a student who participated in the Rome Braves trip.
“Watching the work put into pre-game and the amount of graphics put on the screen at the exact time every night— they have it down to a science in there,” said Hunt.
The class took in the game from the press box and were allowed on the field after the last inning to see the interviews first hand. Jones talked the class through the script written before each game.
Every person involved in the broadcasting booth had a computerized script that counted down the items to be announced. The students then watched the hard work put together to bring in a flawless baseball game full of sounds, calls and graphics.
“It was an eye-opening experience for someone going into the production field,” said junior communication major Brandon Weise.
The class stayed in contact with Jones to set up another tour next season with the Rome Braves. The long-term goal for the COM 3130 class is to take in a game at Turner Field with the same tour and access they had in Rome.
