Slam dunk: Rowan partners with 76ers G League affiliate for student training program

Rowan University and the Delaware Blue Coats, the NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, announced today the launch of the Blue Coats Broadcast Academy powered by Rowan Radio, a partnership that will enable Rowan students to audition for Blue Coats play-by-play and game analyst roles.

Through the partnership, Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM will air all team home games at 76ers Fieldhouse and becomes the official flagship radio home of the Delaware Blue Coats.

Starting in January, the Blue Coats Broadcast Academy powered by Rowan Radio will host broadcasting auditions with such judges as Philadelphia 76ers radio broadcaster Tom McGinnis, Blue Coats television analyst Dei Lynam, Blue Coats television play-by-play broadcaster Matt Murphy, Rowan Radio Station Manager Derek Jones and Rowan University Director of the Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact Neil Hartman.

Additionally, the program will begin accepting applications for student broadcast producers immediately.

“We are thrilled to begin this innovative relationship with Rowan University,” said Blue Coats President Larry Meli. “At its core, the NBA G League is all about developing talent, and that extends beyond the basketball court. We are excited to capture that spirit in our game broadcasts by providing the opportunity for students to put unparalleled, live professional basketball experience on their resumes.”

Supplementary to the broadcasting opportunities, the Blue Coats will host Rowan students through game night job shadow roles in the areas of game presentation, box office management, guest services, media relations and more.

Dr. Sanford Tweedie, dean of the Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts, which houses the Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact, said it is ever more important to build relationships outside the classroom that can lead to student employment opportunities.      

“In a time of tight economic markets, it is critical that we continue to provide internship opportunities for our students, as we know these often lead to post-graduation positions,” Tweedie said.

WGLS-FM Station Manager Derek Jones said he’s particularly excited about yet another opportunity for students to build experience on Rowan Radio. Listeners may access Blue Coats games on Rowan Radio Channel 2 on www.RowanRadio.com.

“This partnership will give student broadcasters an opportunity to call basketball games for a professional organization, which is a unique experience,” Jones said. “They will be able to develop a skill set that will hopefully prepare them for future opportunities in sports broadcasting."

Hartman, an Emmy Award-winning former sportscaster, said the opportunity to work for a professional sports organization, especially one affiliated with the 76ers, will likely appeal to a wide range of Rowan students, particularly those in the college’s popular Sports Communication and Media bachelor’s degree program.

“This is exactly the type of partnership that can have a huge impact on a large number of our Sports Communication and Media students by simply allowing them to be exposed to and learn from industry professionals,” Hartman said. “Ours is the fastest growing major at Rowan, and we encourage our students to take the skills developed in the classroom or from other campus resources out to the workplace and broaden their experiences. This arrangement allows for that opportunity.”

The new partnership was announced during Hartman’s weekly Pizza With the Pros program. Offered virtually since March, the program hosts big name sporting world professionals who share real world insights with Rowan students.

Eligible students must be currently enrolled at Rowan University and may contact Hartman (sportscam@rowan.edu) or Alex Yoh (alexyoh@76ers.com) for more information.