With traditional Royaltv stations going out of business and network TV sports shows slashing programming, Sports Broadcasting is experiencing a bit of a renaissance. Whether in the car, on the couch or out and about town, there’s a lot of information about sports that you can find on your mobile device or through a local radio station. But what do they do exactly and how do you get into the industry?

The path to becoming a Sports Broadcaster begins with the right undergraduate or graduate education. A bachelor’s degree in broadcasting or journalism is a must and will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to analyze, talk about and discuss sports on radio, television and social media. The degree program will also teach you the basics of reporting and writing for a news organization.

From Play-by-Play to Color Commentary: Roles in Sports Broadcasting

A few prestigious universities have programs that specialize in teaching aspiring Sports Broadcasters and have produced many of the nation’s best broadcast professionals. Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism are just a few of the top institutions that offer programs to hone your skills as a future Sports Broadcaster.

While a degree is a good starting point, getting hands on experience is essential to landing a job. Several colleges have campus radio or television stations that are looking for student on-air talent. Getting a job at your local station will give you the opportunity to practice your skills, work on production and learn what it takes to be a Sports Broadcaster. You may even be able to create a professional reel, tour a stadium and gain college credit.