Inaugural Sports Broadcast Camp Provides Hands-On Experiences on Campus and at PNC Park Thursday, August 7, 2025
From behind-the-scenes tours at PNC Park and SportsNet Pittsburgh to networking with staff from the Pittsburgh Pirates' front office, 13 high school students gained experience in writing, interviewing, play-by-play commentary, sideline reporting, photography and podcasting at Point Park University's inaugural Sports Broadcast Camp, held July 23-25 in the Center for Media Innovation.
Led by Kyle Archer, School of Communication enrollment outreach coordinator, and alumnus Greg Brown, radio and television play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the camp included workshop sessions in:
- Sports Journalism: how to create content, write and share stories.
- Sports Photography: photo composition and how to take a good picture to tell the story.
- Podcasting: how to design and record a podcast.
- Live Broadcasting: pre-production and production of a live, on-camera show.
- Play-by-Play and Color Commentary: best practices to find statistics, research players in the game, coaches, umpires, etc., with the opportunity to do live play-by-play and color commentary.
"Attending this camp encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things," said Elisha Gurtner from Highlands Latin School in Louisville, Ky. "Participating in a podcast and a live broadcast was so much fun. This camp was a great way to learn more about my dream job of being a sideline reporter."
Students also heard firsthand from professionals working for the Pittsburgh Pirates, including:
- Alumnus Greg Brown, radio and TV play-by-play announcer
- Alumnus Don Kelly, manager
- Sterling McLean, director of content and production
- Hannah Mears, sideline reporter/host
- Brian Warecki, senior vice president of communications and broadcasting
- Kevin Young, radio and TV color analyst
"My key message to the students was to find your passion and live your dream," said Brown. "Work hard, be open to new experiences and don't let anybody tell you that you can't do something."
Kelly encouraged the students to become the best version of themselves as they learn and grow.
"If you focus on growing yourself first, the success and leadership will follow," he said.
Off-campus experiences included a behind-the-scenes tour of PNC Park and SportsNet Pittsburgh, where students had the opportunity to visit the field, spend time in the press box, broadcast booth, studio and a production truck. Plus, they participated in a mock press conference, attended a pre-game show and wrapped up the camp watching the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Pirates.
"The highlight of this camp was going behind-the-scenes at PNC Park and SportsNet Pittsburgh," said Dylan Chersky, from Pittsburgh CAPA in Pittsburgh, Pa. "Point Park's summer camps are a great way to find out what you like or don't like. I attended the Film Intensive in June, and both programs were a great way to gain experience as an aspiring photojournalist. I look forward to attending Point Park as a college student in the future."
For Jared Nastal, a student from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School in Coraopolis, Pa., the opportunity to work on a broadcast with Brown is a moment he'll never forget.
"Greg acted like our mock broadcast was a real game, and that was honestly crazy to experience that with him," Nastal said. "As one of the youngest ones at this camp, I felt so welcomed and encouraged to do my best and experience all that it had to offer."
Brown added: "I'm really glad that we could introduce high school students to what is available to them at Point Park's School of Communication. So many of my friends in this business are Point Park grads and we're always excited to share what we love about this field in hopes that they find their passion and live their dreams."