Students Get Behind-the-Scenes Look at ESPN’s College GameDay
Communication Students
Students from the Department of Communication and Athletics received a rare glimpse into the fast-paced world of live sports broadcasting during an educational walkthrough of ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot setup ahead of the Utah vs. Cincinnati matchup at Rice-Eccles Stadium. This opportunity reflects the department’s continued growth and its top priority to connect students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences that prepare them for success beyond the classroom.
The group got a behind-the-scenes look into what it takes to produce ESPN’s College GameDay, starting with a review of the technical packet for the broadcast. They explored industry-standard materials such as camera maps, venue plans, tape assignments, and intercom layouts—learning how every role and signal connects to produce a seamless live experience. Athletics staff highlighted key aspects for students to watch for during Saturday’s broadcast and shared opportunities to get involved with Utes Production, where students can build hands-on technical skills using professional-grade equipment.
Students then toured the outdoor set and met Jason Dorsey, an operations staff member with ESPN, who offered candid advice about breaking into the competitive field of sports media. Dorsey emphasized the value of persistence and passion, reminding students that opportunity often comes to those who are willing to learn and give their all. “If you want to learn, they’ll teach you—but give it everything you’ve got,” he said. He encouraged students to “do ten times more” than those around them, stressing that connections and a consistent work ethic open doors in hard to break into industries like film, television, and music.
Dorsey also underscored that career paths in production often begin with entry-level positions, such as utility or runner roles with third-party companies like Ming Entertainment. “Each job you do is your résumé for your next job,” he told students. He added that the field is more inclusive than ever—welcoming people of all genders, interests, and creative perspectives—and reminded students that success isn’t about knowing everything, but about knowing who to ask to get the job done.
The group also learned about the logistics behind College GameDay’s national operation. Dorsey explained that while productions of this size can take months or years to plan, his team of roughly 220 traveling staff members and local hires manages to build the entire set in just a few days. The crew travels to new campuses almost every week, often learning their next destination only days before, with each show’s setup taking about two days and teardown roughly ten hours. Students capped off the experience with a tour of one of the media trucks, gaining a firsthand perspective on what a day in the life of an ESPN production team looks like.
Utah Athletics Staff
Wanda Pillow, Dean of the College of Humanities, is thrilled with the opportunity for students,
“Student success is one of our university's central values, and experiences like this give our students an inside look into a fast-paced and growing industry. I am delighted that ESPN, Athletics, and the Department of Communication are collaborating to make this kind of unique, hands-on experience a part of a Humanities education.”
The Department of Communication is proud to collaborate with Athletics to provide these immersive learning experiences for students interested in journalism, production, and media. Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities coming soon.