Big Ten Network's StudentU program is the engine behind Big Ten Olympic sports coverage, producing more than 1,700 live events each year. StudentU programming consists of student-produced events that stream live on B1G+ with many also rebroadcast on TV (TV schedule here)
Through the StudentU program, the Big Ten Network provides instruction and hands-on experience to students at the 14 Big Ten Conference member institutions, giving those interested in a career in sports television the opportunity to learn all facets of video production.
An experience unique to the Big Ten, opportunities for students include directing, producing, announcing, graphics, replay, camera operation, and more. The StudentU program is enjoyed by nearly 500 Big Ten students each year and is part of the conference's educational mission as we work to identify and teach the next generation of sports production professionals.
If you are a Big Ten student interested in joining, contact the video department at your school?s athletic department. Each school is responsible for staffing and production of the live events.
Since its inception in 2008, the StudentU program has opened a door for students at Big Ten institutions to find post-graduate work in sports television. Each summer, graduating StudentU participants are invited to apply for the Big Ten Network Operations Workshop (N.O.W.), which brings the top talent from around the conference to Chicago for a summer of intensive training alongside Big Ten Network professionals that builds upon the skills learned on campus. The Network has hired dozens of N.O.W. participants to work on its live linear productions, while also assisting many more in finding opportunities at other networks, teams or universities.
In 2021, Big Ten Network and the Big Ten Conference team up to introduce The Lisa Byington Award, which will be presented annually to the most outstanding female broadcaster in the StudentU program.
Follow the work of StudentU on Twitter with @BigTenPlus, the handle for the B1G+ app.
