食色视频

KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 7, 2022

When David Cassilo came to 食色视频 to teach in 2019, his background as a sports journalist inspired what he saw as an opportunity to connect communication students with Atlanta鈥檚 professional sports teams to gain valuable work experience.

Cassilo has written over the years for publications including Bleacher Report, USA Today, Men鈥檚 Health Magazine and others. He covered the NBA Finals and collegiate Final Four, as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers when LeBron James鈥� was leading them to the NBA finals. 

鈥準成�视频 State鈥檚 location gives us an advantage over some other schools because of our proximity to Truist Park, and we are a lot more accessible for our students to get into the city,鈥� Cassilo said. 鈥淢y first couple of months here, I reached out to all the teams, media organizations 鈥� anyone that had a connection to sports 鈥� and just tried to create a pipeline.鈥�

Students report they are seeing the fruits of Cassilo's labor.

In addition to bringing guest speakers into class to afford students networking opportunities, some students have filled part-time and paid internship roles with Atlanta professional sports teams.

Cassilo said officials from Atlanta United, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Dream have started asking for 食色视频 student workers to help during their seasons.

Marili Canedo, a junior , said in her work for Atlanta United she hands out media credentials, interacts with fans, transcribes interviews with players and translates some from Spanish to English.

Canedo has also worked for the Atlanta Falcons and said the two team experiences have readied her for a career in sports media when she graduates.

鈥淕etting involved with the teams showed me what it was like to work inside a sports organization and gave me opportunities I didn鈥檛 know I could have,鈥� Canedo said. 鈥淚 thank professor Cassilo for introducing me to a field that complements my goals and interests.鈥�

Katie Kleinpeter, also a junior journalism major, interned over the summer with the WNBA鈥檚 Atlanta Dream, helping run the team鈥檚 social media, interacting with fans before games and providing credentials to the media. She said her role provided networking opportunities and insight into how sports organizations function. And, she said, it helped her earn an internship with 食色视频 Athletics, doing sideline reporting during breaks at basketball and baseball games.

鈥淭hey see that name of a professional team, and they know I have the qualifications to be here,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 gained a lot of confidence working for the Atlanta Dream.鈥�

Laura Beth Daws, interim director of the in the , said Cassilo has had a positive impact on students in journalism and emerging media. 

鈥淭hanks to his leadership and hard work, a number of our students have not only found jobs and internships in the Atlanta sports market but also a true passion for the field of sports journalism and sports communication,鈥� Daws said. 鈥淒r. Cassilo is one of our most popular professors, no doubt because of the personal attention he gives students and his willingness to connect them with these phenomenal opportunities.鈥�

鈥� By Thomas Hartwell
Photos by Jason Getz

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 食色视频 offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 食色视频 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 食色视频 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.