“When I started my junior year, I knew I wanted to find a way to take what I was learning in the classroom and turn it into practical skills I could use in a successful sports broadcasting career. In the past two years I’ve spent working for Utes Productions, I’ve had that opportunity.

I came in with zero previous experience with TV, and every time I learned a new skill, it was so challenging at the start, but so rewarding once I got the hang of it. I’ve learned how to operate a camera, play back live replays, tell stories through graphics and pull it all together to produce games. This program has given me some great opportunities, like working every University of Utah sport there is, being a replay operator on the NCAA Volleyball tournament broadcast, and running camera batteries up and down the sidelines at Utah football games.

The first time I was placed at the lead replay position was a couple of months into working here. The reason I was put in that spot was that the guy who was supposed to be doing it didn’t show up until five minutes before the game started. When the student finally came in, he went to take his seat, but Aaron Jester, my supervisor, stepped in and said, ‘No, let her do it.’ I was very nervous because I’d never been in that position before, but the rest of the crew supported me. By the end of the show, I felt more confident, and it went well! Working in this business and for this department has taught me to jump in and try new things, even when I’m nervous.

Today, I started full-time as Utes Productions’ new associate producer. I’m so excited that through this venture between the College of Humanities and Utah Athletics, students will have something to bridge the gap between classroom education and hands-on experience, and they will be better prepared to enter the world of sports broadcasting after college.

I would encourage any students who have an interest in media production to reach out and find a way to get involved. There are so many amazing opportunities on the horizon; the program will only grow. I’m so excited to see what the future holds for this amazing facility and the Utes Productions student program. Go Utes!”

— Natalie Newton, Class of 2026, bachelor’s degree in journalism