Sports Communication & Media (MA)
Why Sports Communication?
A Master of Arts (MA) in Sports Communication & Media degree helps you turn your love of sports into a fast-paced broadcast and media career through a variety of skill-building courses in sports journalism and broadcasting. This graduate program prepares you to share the excitement of sports with the masses through live game reporting and producing with ESPN+, studio and radio show production, blogging and more.
Why Study Sports Communication & Media at Iona?
The Master’s in Sports Communication & Media program at Iona University provides you with hands-on training alongside classroom experiences. Our sports media and journalism courses are offered in the evening so that you can manage work and family life while earning your degree.
As part of your coursework, you have the opportunity to cover a two-time NCAA championship coach in our new arena and train in a state-of-the-art digital lab and ESPN production truck. What’s more, Iona’s campus in New Rochelle offers proximity to New York City with easy access to a major media hub and off-campus internship possibilities.
Iona sports media faculty are impressive professionals, including Emmy Award winners, sports hosts, play-by-play analysts, public relations directors for major sports teams and editors of sports journals. You will be connected to an extensive professional network through our faculty and alumni, providing coveted connections within the industry.
What You'll Learn
The MA in Sports Communication & Media blends traditional coursework with engagement in real-world broadcasting of professional and collegiate sports. You gain hands-on, professional experience working and training with ESPN+ and D-1 MAAC coverage of our championship basketball teams, among other professional venues.
The courses in our sports media program train you to perform at the highest level of professional media competencies, including live game reporting, video editing, studio and radio show production and blogging.
Application Requirements
Two writing and/or video samples.
Contact Us
Mike Damergis
Coordinator, Sports Communication & Media Graduate Program
Careers & Outcomes
During the Master’s in Sports Communication & Media, you gain the experience and skills to successfully enter the world of sports media. Graduates have pursued careers in sports journalism, announcing, sports broadcasting and reporting and digital media.
Job Titles
- Sports Anchor
- Digital Content Creator
- Podcaster
- Media Specialist
- Olympics Researcher
- Show Host
- Sports Radio Producer
- Video Producer
- Videographer
Graduates have worked at:
Deyaneyra Perea Rivera: From the Classroom to Telemundo
Deyaneyra Perea Rivera '22MA credits the mentorship she received from Iona faculty with helping her land her dream job at Telemundo, the nation's #1 Spanish television station.
Iona University Welcomes Emmy Award-Winning Sports Anchor Bruce Beck as Executive-in-Residence
Beck will serve as a mentor and resource for students in Iona’s Sports Communication & Media Graduate Program helping them to "improve their skills now and define new opportunities for the future."
Program Highlights
ESPN Production Truck
Iona University broadcasts its home sporting events on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Students in the Sports Communication & Media program work inside the facilities—calling the games and operating the cameras—and on a state-of-the-art equipment truck directing and producing the broadcast. These skill-building opportunities are integrated into the sports journalism courses.
State-of-the-Art Multimedia Lab
Our new, state-of-the-art multimedia digital lab helps develop sports media skills crucial to your future career. You will have hands-on experience with the radio studio and audio desk with Adobe Creative Suite software and more.
Cover Championship Teams
Our students have the opportunity to cover MAAC championship games for multiple sports including cross country, basketball and esports. Iona’s 2023 men’s and women’s basketball teams were among one of four programs in the country to win both conferences, and our students were on the ground to cover this exciting milestone.
The Showdown in Beantown: A Night with Bucky Dent and Mike Torrez
In the Fall 2023 semester, Iona graduate student Julius Luchs was given the opportunity to personally interview baseball legends Bucky Dent and Mike Torrez. Additionally, Iona professor Mike Damergis sat down for in-depth interview to talk about their time with the Yankees and more.
Mike Torrez Talks About the 1978 Showdown in 1978 vs the Yankees with Graduate Student Julius Lachs
Iona Sports Media Professor Mike Damergis's Full Interview with Bucky Dent and Mike Torrez
Bucky Dent Speaks About his Home Run in 1978 with Graduate Student Julius Lachs
Iona Students Interview Baseball Legends
Ray Jarvis ‘24MA and Julius Luchs ‘24MA landed one-on-one interviews with Dwight “Doc” Gooden and William “Mookie” Wilson when the baseball legends visited Iona on April 4, 2023. This is just one example of the kind of opportunities students in the Sports Communication & Media (MA) program can expect to receive during their graduate education.
Julius Luchs '24MA Interviews William "Mookie" Wilson
Ray Jarvis '24MA Interviews Dwight "Doc" Gooden
Prof. Mike Damergis Hosts a Q&A with "Doc" Gooden and "Mookie" Wilson
Learn From Industry Professionals
Mike Jimenez
- Emmy Award-Winning Producer
Rick Cerrone
- Former New York Yankees PR Director during World Championships (1996-2007).
Marc Malusis
- Sports Anchor with WPIX TV
Anthony Carlo ‘15MA from Eyewitness News credits Iona with helping him land his dream job!
Where Are They Now?
Our graduates have gone on to work at SiriusXM, CBS Sports, the YES Network and more!
Iona University Professor Wins Cannes World Film Festival “Best Historical Documentary”
Clinical Professor Mike Damergis '89, '06MS shares the powerful story of a man who saved 350,000 Christian minorities from slaughter during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
Emmy Award-Winning Students
Anthony Carlo '15MA
Emmy Award-Winning Reporter
Nick Hydo '18MA
Emmy Award-Winning Director
Learn more about Sports Communication & Media at Iona
Iona University’s Master of Arts in Sports Communication & Media degree offers unique experiences and courses in sports journalism. Our graduate program’s hands-on approach to sports media and expert faculty prepares you for a successful career in sports communication.
Request information to learn more, or begin your application.
Find Out what an Iona Education Can Do For You
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Our scenic campuses, located just 20 miles from midtown Manhattan, truly do offer the "best of both worlds." Let us show you around, answer your questions and give you a feel of our tight-knit community.
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If you're considering applying to Iona, you're not alone! During the past two years, our new-student enrollment is up nearly 30%. Additionally, graduate students automatically qualify for consideration of merit scholarships during their graduate program.
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