UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A little idea from a faculty member has produced a big opportunity for several students who’ve been on campus at Penn State just a few days.
Five students who recently started classes through the summer Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP) have been credentialed to participate in the Capital One All-Star Village experience around Major League Baseball’s (MLB) 96th All-Star Game.
Bill Zimmerman, an assistant teaching professor in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, pitched the idea of a small group of student content creators/reporters to MLB and the response was positive. So, he and the students are making a day trip to Philadelphia on July 12.
Most of the students are members of COMM 255: Digital Content and the Creator Economy, the LEAP class Zimmerman teaches. They are: Lucy Bobb, Marina Rubin Bellicanta, Sofia Buoscio, Lucia Mattison Orona and Sophia Justice.
In addition, the cohort includes Jack Dobbins, a second-year student with an 86-episode strong baseball podcast; third-year student Mackenzie Leach, a photographer for the Altoona Curve; third-year student Jennae Overton, a digital news intern at a Fox affiliate; and fourth-year student Derek Porter, an Adobe Student Creator.
It’s a high-level opportunity — especially so for students who’ve been at the University just a few days.
“Professional sports leagues are reconsidering who gets access to games, players and events,” Zimmerman said. “This means creators on TikTok and YouTube are making sports content that informs and entertain fans on a deeper level, growing excitement for the action in new ways.”
Students will be directed to produce content from the event for their personal social media channels, creator channels they've established and/or any student media they're aligned with. Some of the students will chronicle their experience on Bellisario College channels, too.
“The Pennsylvania Convention Center will be teaming with experiential brand activations, former players, mascots and fans from across the nation,” Zimmerman said. “There’ll be content opportunities around every corner!”