NBA’s G League Delaware Blue Coats, Rowan lauded for partnership
NBA’s G League Delaware Blue Coats, Rowan lauded for partnership
September 11, 2026
The National Basketball Association G League recently honored the Delaware Blue Coats’ partnership with Rowan University by presenting the Philadelphia 76ers affiliate with the “NBA G League Partnership of the Year” award. Recognized by the league as an innovative, student-driven model, the six-year collaboration goes far beyond a traditional baseline sponsorship by treating the professional arena as a real-world classroom.
What began in November 2020 with the creation of the Blue Coats Broadcast Academy—designating Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM as the official radio home and offering live play-by-play audition opportunities—has since expanded into every operational vertical of the business. Today more than 40 students work with the Blue Coats each season.
“On game days, Rowan students are fully embedded into live team operations, assisting with social media coverage, merchandise sales, game stat crew, venue setup and breakdown,” said Neil Hartman, senior director of Rowan University’s Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact. “Most notably, the entire game-day broadcast production is completely student-run behind the scenes, with Rowan students directing, producing, and managing control room operations and game cameras.”
Students also provide radio play-by-play coverage of all Blue Coats home games, and writers experience beat reporter status, giving them hands-on training.
In addition to broadcast and arena experience, the partnership serves as an active career pipeline into professional sports. Alumni of the program have successfully transitioned into full-time roles with both the Delaware Blue Coats and the 76ers.
“By delivering high-quality content, genuine community impact and proven career pathways, the collaboration stands out as an award-winning benchmark for modern sports partnerships,” added Hartman.
The Blue Coats are one of several professional partners that offer Rowan Sports Communication & Media (Sports CaM) students valuable industry experience. The Sports CaM program also just completed its sixth year with the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Washington Nationals minor league affiliate), and this fall will support professional minor league hockey with the Trenton Ironhawks. The largest regional mixed martial arts (MMA) organization in the country, Cage Fury Fighting Championship (CFFC), resumes its third year as a partner. All together, these partnerships involve more than 100 students in a Sports CaM program that is rapidly growing into one of the largest in the country.