Matthew Inman. Communication: Broadcast and Digital Journalism

I am currently pursuing a path in Broadcasting and Journalism with a focus in sports media. My professional background is still developing, but my experience as a lifelong athlete has shaped how I see communication, teamwork, and storytelling. Being around sports for most of my life — playing, watching, and even helping coach — has given me a deep understanding of the energy, strategy, and emotion behind competition. That perspective is what I want to bring into the media world. I don’t just watch sports; I understand the preparation, mindset, and pressure athletes experience.

I chose Broadcasting and Journalism because I have always known I wanted to stay connected to sports, even if I’m no longer the one competing. Sports have been a major part of my life, and I didn’t want to walk away from that environment. This field allows me to remain close to the action by covering games, telling athlete stories, and helping audiences understand what’s happening beyond just the scoreboard.

What I love most about this concentration is that it feels natural to me. Sports have always been part of my life, whether I was playing, watching, or coaching. Because of that, understanding the game comes fairly easily. Now, instead of learning sports from scratch, I’m expanding my knowledge into the camera and broadcasting side of the industry. I’m learning how to capture the action, frame moments, and present sports in a way that brings viewers closer to the experience.

Another reason I enjoy this field is that it blends fast-paced action with storytelling. Sports broadcasting is not just about announcing plays — it’s about explaining momentum shifts, player decisions, and the emotions of the moment. Journalism adds another layer, where you explore the “why” behind performances, team dynamics, and sports culture. That combination of excitement and analysis is what makes this field so interesting to me.

Sports media also connects people. Fans from different backgrounds can come together over one game, one moment, or one team. As a broadcaster or analyst, I would get to be part of that shared experience. There’s something powerful about describing a big play as it happens or breaking down a game afterward so viewers understand it better. You’re not just reporting — you’re enhancing how people experience sports.

My favorite project so far was my last live show in Take 30 last semester. I enjoyed it because we worked together as a team and everything came together smoothly. A friend and I were part of the podcast team for that final project, and we talked about what to expect in the upcoming semester while also discussing the Bulldog sports that were going on at the time. It felt like real sports media work because we had to prepare, stay organized, and communicate clearly while producing content for an audience.

That experience helped me grow in areas like communication, organization, and confidence both on camera and behind the scenes. I learned how important teamwork is in broadcasting, since everyone has a role that contributes to the final product. It also showed me how preparation and attention to detail affect the quality of a live production.

 

When it comes to my favorite medium, I am torn between photography and videography. I enjoy both because they will help me create content later in life and give me a strong understanding of how cameras work in different situations. Photography helps me focus on capturing a single powerful moment, while videography allows me to tell a story over time with motion and sound. Learning both gives me a solid foundation in visual storytelling, which is essential in sports media.

In this class, I’m interested in learning how to become more professional and polished in my delivery. I want to improve my on-camera presence, learn how to speak more naturally while staying informative, and understand how to structure sports coverage in a way that keeps audiences engaged. I also want to learn more about the technical side of broadcasting, like production, editing, and camera work.

Another area I want to grow in is sports analysis. I don’t just want to describe what happens; I want to explain why it happens. Learning how to break down plays, strategies, and player performance at a deeper level will help me become a stronger analyst. I’m also interested in learning how to tell athlete stories in a way that shows their personality and journey, not just their statistics.

Email me at mri43@msstate.edu with any questions