University Mass Comm students launch sports podcast
On a recent Tuesday afternoon, four Mass Communications seniors at Delaware State University were having a blast while building their resumes.
Rashaad Lathern, Amadou Sow and Meleah Davis were in television Studio B - housed in the University’s communications department - taping the latest episode of “The Real Buzz,” a podcast devoted to sports. Sherman Gay, the podcast’s creator, serves as camera, script writer and producer.
The Real Buzz covers the NFL, the NBA, of course the Delaware State Hornets and other HBCUs, and even Fantasy Football Leagues.
“We give a student perspective,” said Co-Host Lathern. “And a youth perspective as well. We have younger opinions.”
As with any sports show worth listening to, the three hosts had opinions to spare during taping. They also had the facts to back them up: rattling off statistics, team rivalries, injuries and the latest news as only someone passionate about the game can do.
“I loved playing sports and writing about sports,” said Lathern, whose degree concentration is in Visual & Media Production. “I guess you could say it’s a hobby, because I love talking about sports!”
His Co-Host Meleah Davis agrees. “I look forward to this,” she said before the taping. “I really enjoy talking about sports, especially football, with like-minded individuals who understand the game and have the same passion as I do.”
Gay said he began the podcast hosting with Sow but quickly realized he’d rather be behind the camera. He asked Davis and Lathern to join the crew, given their love and knowledge of sports.
“I knew they would respond well to each other, given their energy levels,” he said. “This program is good for my resume, and it’s good for their resumes.”
Students are gaining valuable experience for their resumes, said Zak Kimball, production coordinator for the program. “They are gaining experience, technical skills, on air skills, and having fun while doing it,” he said. “They are also building their reputations across the university and that helps build the brand for Del State media.”
The Real Buzz is not alone. Kimball said interest is high on campus to produce a podcast that is taped before cameras. “The biggest thing students get is a stronger understanding of project management and overall coordination of production,” he said. “Newer students learn the technical skills.”
To plan each episode, the four students congregate on a group chat. It takes about an hour to record four or five segments that will be posted separately on YouTube or Instagram under the name “The Real Buzz.”.
The show follows a similar format each week, with the beginning segment an overview of how they did on predictions for the week prior, and ending with their predictions for upcoming games.
This week, they all good-naturedly announced that they had lost. “What happened?” Meleah asks Rashaad, laughing. “You sure had a lot to say last week!”