OSU journalism student reflects on coveted ESPN internship
Thursday, September 3, 2009
From left: OSU Head Football Coach Mike Gundy, Lauren Blackwell and ESPN’s John Anderson.
(September 3, 2009 STILLWATER, Okla.) – Oklahoma State University senior Lauren
Blackwell calls her summer internship the experience of a lifetime.
Over the summer, Blackwell edited and produced highlights for segments of “SportsCenter”
and “Baseball Tonight” at sports network ESPN based in Bristol, Conn.
Blackwell, a Chicago native majoring in broadcast journalism and sports media, was
awarded the ESPN internship by the Association for Women in Sports Media. As part
of the award she also received the inaugural Betty Jean Moffitt Scholarship, which
was created by tennis legend Billie Jean King in memory of her mother.
Blackwell was one of six students across the nation to earn the honor. She admits
she was hesitant about applying. “I applied for the scholarship after pressure from
several of my professors and my adviser,” said Blackwell. “I would never have dreamed
that I would get to work at ESPN.
“It was an amazing experience working side by side with so many well known sports
personalities and anchors.”
Blackwell said one of the best parts of the internship was learning how vital behind-the-scenes
workers are to the success of the programs. “Without a team of us editing highlight
reels and writing the scripts, sports shows could never happen,” she said.
John McGuire, an associate professor at the OSU School of Journalism and Broadcasting,
praised Blackwell for her efforts. “If there is work to be done, Lauren is ready and
willing. She has a genuine desire to excel, and that is evident in the way she goes
about her studies and her work.”
After graduation, Blackwell hopes ESPN is a career option, however, she also admits
a passion for a specific sport – Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The OSU School of Journalism and Broadcasting is one of 24 departments in the College
of Arts and Sciences. To learn more visit http://journalism.okstate.edu.