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ESPN: 'Auburn has produced some amazing broadcasters'

Auburn University continues to cement itself as a leader in producing highly sought after graduates in the broadcast industry. Developing talent that reports the news and brings to life some of the most widely viewed sporting events is a hallmark of the programs in the School of Communication and Journalism.

The reputation of the School of Communication and Journalism and its programs were showcased to a national audience on ESPN when ESPN Sideline Reporter Taylor Davis '14 shared a heartfelt tribute to Senior Lecturer Ric Smith during the broadcast of Auburn's homecoming game.

Following the segment, ESPN's Roy Philpott remarked, "That school has produced some amazing broadcasters." 

 A Legacy in Broadcasting

NBC's Chloe Melas may be one of the most recognizable graduates from the program. An entertainment correspondent for NBC News, Melas is a regular on "The Today Show," "NBC Nightly News" and "NBC News Now." Prior to NBC, Melas worked for VH1 and CNN. A 2021 gift cemented Melas' legacy with the naming of the Eagle Eye TV Studio in her honor.

In the sports arena, Auburn is consistently represented in some of the largest events in the world. The "worldwide leader in sports" is home to a cadre of former students including Taylor Davis '14, Cole Cubelic '01 and Dawn Davenport '02. The trio has even worked together as an all-Auburn broadcast team.

While these alumni represent Auburn on the national stage, they consistently return to the Plains to support students looking to follow in their footsteps. 

"Active and engaged alumni are the backbone of successful academic programs," said Associate Dean for Engagement and Graduate Programs Laura Plexico. "The way that these alumni share their resources, time and talent allow our programs to continue producing outstanding graduates who are ready to take their place in the professional ranks."

Innovative Programs 

While the broadcasting industry continues to evolve, Auburn is developing new training programs to prepare students to lead the industry. In 2020, Auburn began offering a sports production major, unique among SEC schools and one of very few majors like it in the U.S.

"A lot of our students, by the time they graduate, have had three or four years of working in the field," said Andy Young, a lecturer in the sports production major and former employee of ESPN, the New York Mets and ABC Sports. "If they do that, they're going to be so much more employable right out of college."

Young teaches classes including Control Room Operations, Sports Storytelling and Sports Producing.

The Sports Journalism program also prepares students to create captivating stories that capture emotional moments for sports audiences. Zach Grant's project "Dangerous – The Robb Taylor Mindset" was a finalist in the 2024 Student Production Awards from the southeast chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Enrollment in the sports production program has skyrocketed since its inception, with nearly 50% of all journalism students choosing to specialize in this growing field.

Partnering for Success

While classroom education is critical for success, cross-campus and community partnerships with the School of Communication and Journalism create unique opportunities for students to put their skills to the test.

War Eagle Productions, Auburn Student Media and Gray Television partnerships all provide students additional hands-on training. Students interested in producing live sports have the opportunity to train at War Eagle Productions. WEP, as it is commonly known, produces more than 350 live events annually for ESPN, the SEC Network and the Auburn Athletics Department. 

The program began in May 2013 when ESPN announced the formation of the SEC Network in partnership with the Conference's 14 schools. The agreement included the production and broadcast of hundreds of sports events, studio shows such as SEC Nation and original content, with production facilities on every campus.

Students also have the opportunity to work with student media organizations such as Eagle Eye TV and WEGL 91.1 FM. Both organizations are student-run and offer opportunities to create content for the Auburn community from their first day on campus. 

"Auburn is unique among its peers for our commitment to be a learning lab for all students regardless of their experience level," said Billy Ferris '06, '10, assistant director for student media. "While new students are able to get acquainted with industry skills, by graduation, students are fully leading the media organizations and learning to innovate for an ever-changing industry, rally news gathering teams and set the course for how events will be covered."

For more than a decade, Auburn has enjoyed a close relationship with local broadcasting giant, Gray TV Inc., to create exciting opportunities for students. From teaching classes and guest speaking at journalism professional development events to incorporating students into live productions, Gray's support has been a game changer for students. 

Most recently, journalism students involved at Eagle Eye TV partnered with Gray-owned WTVM in Columbus, Georgia, to live broadcast the Auburn Homecoming parade.

For years, Auburn students have found internships and started careers with Gray-owned stations.

"When Gray visits Auburn, we know we can find talented students ready to contribute to our newsrooms across the country," said Stephen Crews, talent acquisition specialist at Gray. "Eagle Eye TV provides a great training ground to develop those skills students need to be successful."

Building for the future

A recent gift by the Alabama Broadcasters Association (ABA) endowed a $50,000 scholarship fund to support journalism students at Auburn.

"We frequently hear that Auburn alums are excelling at their new jobs," said ABA President Sharon Tinsley. "We also ask our colleges and universities to provide information about their communication degree programs for review by a panel of broadcasters. Auburn University did a great job demonstrating what it is they are doing to develop these talented graduates."

The School of Communication and Journalism continues to expand offerings that prepare students for life after college. Recent additions, including a new teaching studio, refreshed equipment and continued innovation in teaching, are possible through the generous support of alumni and friends.

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One such graduate is Jonathan Martin '05, an Emmy Award-winning news anchor at 11Alive in Atlanta.

"My experience at Auburn gave me a head start when I jumped into the broadcasting business," Martin said.  "Aside from the coursework, the opportunity to work at Eagle Eye News on campus was invaluable. From technical operations to producing newscasts and reporting under deadline, I left college as a prepared and well-rounded journalist."

Tags: Students Communication and Journalism Alumni Faculty