Sports PR and Journalism Course

This 8 week online sports media training course catapults your career in sports public relations and sports journalism around the world.

The Sport PR & Journalism course provides aspiring students an opportunity to learn the skills and inside secrets that hiring executives seek when hiring new media contacts. This is a one of a kind, eight week online course for individuals who are passionate about securing or improving their sports media and promotions career.

• When the Duke Lacrosse team had their tragic press conference, who was running it?
• When Lebron films a new TV ad, who is on site for the shoot?
• Who writes a statement for a team to release to the media?

If you are interested in doing PR, marketing or journalism in the world of sports, this course can provide a great foundation for a successful career.

This course is for you if you want to pursue a sports career in the following capacities:

• Media Relations
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Public relations
• Communications
• Sports information director (SID) for a university
• Journalism jobs in radio, TV, internet and newspaper
• Fan communications

Sports organizations look for individuals with strong communication skills who can handle the spotlight of big time professional sports. Teams and agencies are looking for individuals who can help their organization be perceived positively and can handle when a PR problem develops. When that call comes, will you be prepared? Can you organize a press conference at a moment's notice and get results? How do you keep your team relevant when they aren't winning?

The Sports PR and Journalism Course is designed to give you the skill set and competitive edge that will distinguish you from others when applying for sports journalism and communication jobs. Upon completion of the course you will be thoroughly trained and ready to make a difference in the operation of a sports organization. In addition, students will get hands on experience in the field of sports media to add to their resume. The goal of this course is to give you specific training you will need while also providing you with job strategy for sports careers you have a passion for. This Sports PR and Journalism Course is designed to give you the "who you know" and "what you know" to launch your sports career.

You do not need to relocate, this course can be taken from anywhere in the world.

Sports PR & Journalism training includes:

• Promotion, publicity and public relations
• Conflict resolution
• Press releases
• Press conferences
• Effective press materials for game day
• Sports Information Director
• Promoting a "losing team" versus "the winning season"
• Overcoming reputations - handling the media for athletes and teams
• Event and game management promotions
• Professional athlete interviews
• Getting athletes and top execs exposure on radio and TV
• Internet based publicity
• Internet Journalism
• Product promotion versus professional athlete promotion
• Media Kits and great headlines
• Developing sports websites
• Developing media contacts
• New media journalism techniques
• Community relations 

Course Details:

The Sports PR & Journalism Course is an 8 week online course designed to provide skills aspiring sports business executives seek. This might be for a job in community relations, public relations or communications. This course can be taken at any time and any place around the world to fit your schedule. All you need is access to the internet with a computer.

Students will learn fundamental and successful business principles that hiring sports executives look for when adding personnel. Take this course to get your first position or to enhance your current job situation. All graduates of the course will have a well-rounded understanding of the sports business industry, specifically in the areas of grass roots public relations, media relations, community relations, marketing, personnel, customer service, promotions and event management.

Career Guidance, Strategy and Interview Techniques

Each Sports PR and Journalism student will be active during the course in learning how to obtain a position in the sports field. This will vary for each student based on their career goals and location but SMWW's goal is to assist you in learning how to obtain a position once you finish the course. From whom to contact, the methods for contacting them and interviewing techniques, the course give you the ins and outs and gets you on your way to a dream job in sports. The instructors for the course will work with each student one-on-one and provide strategy that will help them reach their sports career goals.

Weekly Audio Chats:
A unique aspect of each 8 week course is the opportunity for students to participate weekly in interactive audio chats with fellow students, instructors and renowned guest speakers. This is a tremendous opportunity to network within Sports PR and Journalism and get to know your instructors and fellow students personally via the internet. This is available via any online computer with a microphone (we provide the microphone). The connections and synergies via the audio chats will be sports networks that you will utilize throughout your career.

The course's main objective is to develop a new generation of Sports Publicity and Journalism professionals by teaching skills and strategies that are unique to sports publicity jobs.

Course Instructors:

Sports PR & Journalism course instructors, Rodney Knox and Dr. Lynn Lashbrook:

Rodney Knox, Nike Inc., Communications Director,
Team Sports
Rodney Knox is currently the Director of Communications for Team Sports (football, basketball and baseball) for Nike, Inc. Knox is responsible for overseeing Nike's multi-media campaigns for its athletes and products. Knox works closely with Nike's executive staff and professional athletes on communicating with the media and the public.

Prior to working for Nike Inc., Knox served as the Sr. Director of Communications for the San Francisco 49ers. During his 19 years with the 49ers, Knox negotiated media deals, created marketing & promotional initiatives, worked on media and community relations efforts, oversaw the production of all team publications (media guide, yearbook and game day programs) and coordinated the distribution of grants to non-profit organizations on behalf of the 49ers.

Knox got his start in sports at the San Diego Chargers in 1981. As the Chargers assistant Director of Public Relations, he served as the conduit to the media and was responsible for writing press releases, feature stories and information for team publications. He worked closely with the team's Director of Advertising and helped create proposals for potential sponsors.

Knox brings over 25 years of varied experience in Integrated Marketing Communications, Public Relations, Media & Community Relations, Promotions and Sports Management, Marketing and Governmental Affairs. Knox holds a master's degree in sports management from the University of San Francisco and bachelor's degree in speech & communications from San Diego State University. Knox brings teaching experience from the San Jose State University and the University of San Francisco, where he was the instructor of a course on sports, media and society. Knox has also served on the NFL's Governmental Affairs Committee.

Dr. G. Lynn Lashbrook has been working and teaching in Sports Management for over 30 years and has demonstrated a lifelong passion for helping students strategize and reach their career goals in the world of sports. Dr. Lashbrook has served at the collegiate level as an athletic academic advisor and athletic director. At the professional level he has been an NFL sports agent for the past ten years and created the first ever online sports management company with a mission to educate future sports professionals around the globe.

Receive undergraduate credit, graduate credit, or continuing education requirements!
Many organizations, schools and programs will pay for staff professional development. This program, through SMWW, offers a variety of ways to gain financial support for your endeavor. Take the course as part of a Masters Program or as credit toward your continuing Ed requirement with your present employer. Take this certificate program to improve your personal skill level and increase your productivity.

Course Certificate & Resume Reference:

Successful graduates of the Sports Management Worldwide courses will be sent a SMWW Certificate of Accomplishment. This certificate represents not only your achievements in the course but also demonstrates your personal commitment to self-improvement and ability to "self train" yourself for higher positions within the sports business industry.

In addition to your certificate, you will be given the stamp of approval by SMWW. This approval includes a personal reference you may add to your resume with contact information for Dr. Lynn Lashbrook and a reference to the mentors of this course.

Apply Now - Free

Cost: $1,450 (plus course materials shipping). Payment plans available (as little as $495 a month). See if you are eligible for an economic discount based on your country of residence. Length: 8 Weeks; "Live" audio online chats weekly with renowned instructors! Prerequisites: Must be 18 or older to participate and have a passion for sports Payment: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diner's Club, or Wells Fargo Loan CALL TODAY: 1-877-SMWW-NOW (In the UK: 087 12884799) Register Now

Student Loans Available

To apply for a student loan through Wells Fargo, you must first apply for the course with SMWW.

SMWW is pleased to offer student loans available through Wells Fargo. Check here to read more and get started on your loan today!

Academic Credit

Western Oregon University (WOU), a member of the Oregon University System, offers a separate Credit Overlay Program for Sports Management Worldwide's courses. Students interested in obtaining college credit for Sports Management Worldwide courses must apply for the credit with Western Oregon University directly.

For more information, please visit the following webpage.