Center for Sports Journalism

The John Curley Center for Sports Journalism explores issues and trends in sports journalism through instruction, outreach, programming and research.

The Center's undergraduate curricular emphasis includes courses in sports writing, sports broadcasting, sports information, sports, media and society, and sports and public policy, which is cross-listed with the Penn State Dickinson School of Law.

Malcolm Moran presents a miniature Nittany Lion Shrine and Center for Sports Journalism hat to Brent Musburger of ABC/ESPN after an on-campus lecture and question-and-answer session.

The Center emphasizes internships at newspapers, magazines or electronic media and on-campus cocurricular work at the student-run newspaper, The Daily Collegian, the sports information office or campus radio.

The Center was established in 2003 with Distinguished Professional in Residence and Professor John Curley and Dean Doug Anderson serving as founding co-directors. It was named the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism in September 2006, honoring Curley, whose more than five decades of newspaper experience includes work as a reporter, editor, publisher and, ultimately, president, CEO and chairman of the Gannett Co. He was the first editor of USA Today.

The first on-campus guest lecture conducted under the auspices of the Center featured John Walsh, senior vice president and executive editor of ESPN, in 2003. Since then, the varied group of events and visitors has included broadcasting legends Bob Costas and Brent Musburger (above), regular meetings with the Center's advisory board of professionals and roundtables with sports editors from newspapers across the state of Pennsylvania.

Award for Excellence in Coverage of Youth Sports

In the News

Links to stories about some of the latest activities and research from the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.

Center Connections

A summary of recent activity by faculty and students in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism. The month-by-month listing provides highlights about activities, campus visitors and special programs that provide one-of-a-kind experiences for students who are part of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism. Among those were a September 2009 visit to the College of Communications and ComRadio by ESPN President George Bodenheimer (photo, second from right) and ESPN Sr. VP Chris LaPlaca (far right).

Center Calendar

April 22, 2010 -- Presentation of the Award for Excellence in Coverage of Youth Sports
(5 p.m., Nittany Lion Inn)