SPORTS BROADCAST

Training Program

+ Personal Branding + Leadership Coaching + Market Business Strategy

Dates Coming Soon!

A Game-Changing Opportunity for Elite & Professional Athletes delivered by Won For All & Sacred Heart University

The Details

Who

For Athletes

This opportunity is open to, and created specifically for active and former Professional Athletes, Elite, National Team, Olympians, and Paralympians, from all sports.

By Educators & Athletes

Sacred Heart University & Won For All’s combined network of educators, professional broadcasters, elite athletes (now sports broadcasters), leadership, and career coaches –   are serving as teachers, mentors, coaches, speakers, and panelists. 

What

Sacred Heart University’s School of Communication, Media & the Arts, & Won For All have created a unique program designed for elite athletes to gain invaluable hands-on leadership and broadcast training across TV, Radio, & Podcast media.

Where

On-Campus: Sacred Heart University’s Martire Center –  Fairfield, Connecticut, 1-hour from NYC’s JFK Airport. The Martire Center is fully equipped with a television studio, industry-leading technologies with access to NEDIA facilities, studio, control room, and technical support staff.

When

In-Person: To Be Confirmed
Three Phase Experience: We combine in-studio training with virtual learning, including personal branding, leadership development, communications, and networking.

Why

Set yourself apart! Gain a competitive advantage through an invaluable ‘insider’ experience, accessing best-in-class knowledge and advice. Develop your own "on-air" technique, and walk away with your own highlight reel, personal brand story, expanded influencer network, and marketing strategy.

Other Important Details:

FEES: We have a few full scholarships* available for the program thanks to our sponsors. Fill out the registration form on our website to see if you qualify! Enrollment is limited to 16 participants.

ACCOMMODATIONS: You get to live the full SHU student experience by staying in Teresa of Calcutta Hall – one of SHU’s new, modern residences, built in 2021.

*You are in charge of finding your way to (and home from) Sacred Heart University's (SHU) campus, but once you arrive, all other expenses - accommodation, meals, from breakfast to dinner, and everything in between - are covered by SHU, Won For All, and our amazing sponsors & partners.

The Extras

A (LITTLE) COMPETITION:
If there isn’t a winner at the end, did it even happen? Tap into your competitive side and put your pop-culture knowledge to the test against the other teams during Trivia night or see who can hit the ball closest to the pin during our Golf & Networking event at Great River Golf Course.

BEHIND-the-SCENES:
Participants get the chance to “pull back the curtain” and tour ESPN’s Bristol Campus or NBC Sports Studio, learning everything that goes into their successful programming, from conception to completion. We will also be hosting a Sports Panel Discussion on our last night, where our panelists will get candid, share their experiences, impart their knowledge, and answer your questions.

GYM TIME:
We know how important gym time is to you, so while on campus, you will have access to SHU’s Valentine Health & Recreation Center – a newly built (2019) 3-level building that features open space with free weights, machines & functional training, a dedicated cardio space, 2 workout studios, a Robeks juice bar and a suspended track that overlooks the court and climbing wall + more.

Who are the leaders and teachers of this program?

SHU & Won For All’s network of educators & elite athletes, professional broadcasters, & career coaches, serve as teachers, mentors, speakers, & panelists. Meet our leaders and teachers below.

Graduate Professor

Brian Thorne

Brian is a graduate professor teaching advanced digital video production, television studio production, and live event production.

Brian is a graduate professor at SHU, teaching advanced live event & television studio production.

Brian has over 10 years of television & video production for NBC Univeral/Golf Channel, NFL, & ESPN. He is the founder & president of Veritas Productions, a digital media company where he manages projects from conceptual development through digital delivery.

Having previously been nominated two times for his excellence in production, Brian was awarded an Emmy Award in 2016 for Outstanding Technical Team Remote for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.

Professor, Producer

Paul Pabst

Paul is a SHU professor teaching Sports Media & Executive Producer of The Dan Patrick Show

Paul has been an undergraduate and graduate Instructor, teaching sports media and journalism classes since 2011.

After a career at CBS Sports and CBS Network News in New York City, Paul joined ESPN in 2000 as a producer, soon becoming the Executive Producer of The Dan Patrick Show. A TV/Radio show broadcast on 350 radio affiliates around the country, SIRIUSxm and national television. The show has twice won the Marconi award for radio excellence and was nominated for a Sports Emmy for Best Daily Studio Show in 2017 and 2018.

Additionally, Paul is the Professional Development Coordinator for the SCM graduate program. In this role, he uses his connections from 25 years in sports media to assist graduate students in gaining internships and full-time jobs as they complete the program.

MSG Network Studio Host

Bill Pidto

Bill serves as a studio host for Knicks games, as well as the host of the New York Emmy Award-winning “MSG 150” sportscast that airs during Knicks and Rangers games.

Bill currently serves as a studio host for Knicks games, as well as the host of the New York Emmy Award-winning “MSG 150” sportscast that airs during Knicks and Rangers games. This past summer, Pidto also hosted the popular, expanded version of the “MSG 150,” which featured engaging conversation and nightly analysis of the latest news in sports.

Prior to his work with MSG Networks, Pidto was an anchor at ESPN from 1993 to 2008 where he hosted “SportsSmash” in the inaugural year of ESPN2 and anchored “NHL 2Night,” “NFL Primetime,” “Baseball Tonight” and “SportsCenter” during his tenure. Pidto began his broadcasting career as a sports anchor and reporter for WVBR radio in Ithaca, New York. After graduating from Cornell in 1987, Pidto worked as a sports director in Binghamton, NY, and as a sports anchor in Syracuse, NY.

Reporter & Host

Jen Lada

Sports Emmy-winnng features reporter Jen is host College Gameday & College Football Live and contributes to ESPN’s storytelling brand SC Featured, Outside the Lines and E:60.

Jen has been blazing trails in the broadcasting world ever since her first job at Watts Communication, having worked for the Green Bay Packers (NFL), WITI, WREX & Comcast Sports.Net Chicago, before ESPN came knocking in 2015

Her stories “UP Syndrome” for GameDay and “Restart” for SC Featured were nominated for a Sports Emmy and in 2020, Lada’s E:60-produced feature “Hilinski’s Hope” earned her first Sports Emmy Award in the Outstanding Short Sports Documentary category.

Lada’s work on SC Featured has led to other feature opportunities with Sunday NFL Countdown and a pair of Special Olympics World Games – Austria (2017) and Dubai/Abu Dhabi (2019), both of which she covered for ESPN.

ESPN Radio Host

Freddie Coleman

Freddie D. Coleman is the co-host of the weeknight ESPN Radio show Freddie and Fitzsimmons, alongside Ian Fitzsimmons

Coleman joined ESPN Radio in June 2004, as a co-host of the then-nightly, prime-time program GameNight until 2013. Coleman has also hosted NFL on ESPN Radio and makes appearances on ESPN’s First Take. Before The Freddie & Fitzsimmons, Show, Freddie hosted the Freddie Coleman Show.

Prior to joining ESPN Radio, Coleman was a weekday afternoon co-host on FoxSportsRadio 980-AM in Albany, N.Y. (September 2002-June 2004).

Coleman also worked for Cablevision of Dutchess County as a sportscaster for the local news in Wappingers Falls, NY., and as a co-host of the weekly SportsScene show, as well as an analyst for Marist Basketball.

Sports Director - WISN-TV

Dario Melendez

Dario serves as the anchor of sports coverage for WISN daily, and during Big 12 Sports Saturday.

Dario Melendez is a sports anchor on WISN 12 News and BIG12 Sports Saturday. This includes programming involving the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers, and other sports teams at the local and state levels.  

Dario Melendez has served as an anchor and reporter for Bally Sports Wisconsin, covering the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Before that he held the anchor and reporter roles for the New York 1 in New York City, and for ESPN’s SportsCenter in Bristol, Connecticut.  

Melendez started his career working his way up through the industry and held sports broadcasting, anchor, reporter, and hosting roles for television and radio stations in Wisconsin, Florida, and Connecticut. 

Sr Director of Programming

Justin Craig

Justin is the Sr Director of Programming and Operations for ESPN Radio.

Coordinating Director

Marti Hanzlik

Marti is the Coordinating Director for ESPN.

Analyst, Athlete, Author, Attorney, WFA Advisor

Stu Grimson

Stu is a Senior Analyst at NHL Network, Corporate Counsel at ThirdHome, and General Counsel to the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

Stu played in the NHL for 14 years and remains connected to the game he loves as a Senior Colour TV Analyst at the NHL Network. He is the recent author of The Grim Reaper; The Life and Career of a Reluctant Warrior.

He also serves as Corporate Counsel at an exciting Luxury Travel Club – ThirdHome, as well as General Counsel to American Collegiate Hockey Association.

Notwithstanding, Stu is also a Real Estate Investor, Canadian, American, Nashvillian, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and an advisor for Won For All.

Maren Walseth Won For All
College Basketball Analyst, Professional Business Coach

Maren Walseth

Maren Walseth is a former pro basketball player turned freelance college basketball analyst, & Won For All coach.

As a student-athlete at Penn State University, Maren earned all-conference honors, competed in the 2000 NCAA Final Four, and graduated with a degree in broadcast media. She then went on to play professionally in the WNBA and Ligue Féminine de Basketball in France.

She has been a teacher, coach, and mentor her entire career. A 10-year assistant coach and 5-year head coach, at the Division 1 level, Maren has leadership and management experience in high stress and public spheres including The United States Naval Academy, Penn State University, and North Dakota State University.

She encourages others to stand taller, reach further, and dig deeper. It’s this influence, motivation, and dedication that makes Maren an asset to the Won For All team.

Award winning Host, Juno nominee, WFA Broadcast Team

Tara Slone

Tara is host of docuseries Top of [Her] Game on Sportsnet & co-host of Rogers Hometown Hockey.

Tara Slone currently co-hosts the groundbreaking NHL broadcast Rogers Hometown Hockey alongside Ron MacLean.

She is also at the helm of the weekly Sportsnet docuseries Top of [HER] Game, focusing on stories of empowered women in the world of sports.

In alignment with her goal of shining a light on women in sports and broadcasting, to grow female, visibility, accessibility, and participation while developing an emerging voice to close the gender gap, Tara continues the momentum of positively advancing women in sports, as a member of Won For All’s Sports Broadcast Team in the capacity of Coach, Mentor. and Speaker, sharing her experiences and knowledge to help educate and create new opportunities beyond the playing field, and into the booth.

Mental Performance Coach

Dr. Rolf Wagschal

Dr. Rolf is Won For All's Mental Performance Coach and a Professional Member, Canadian Sport Psychology Association

Dr. Rolf Wagschal has almost 20 years of experience working as a mental performance consultant. He is known for assisting high-performance individuals and teams find unique and customized solutions to the myriad challenges they face daily – both on and off the field of play.

A member of Won For All’s leadership team, his primary professional focus is working with athletes, and throughout his career, he has worked with just about every kind of sport one can imagine.

Building off his own experience as a former high-performance athlete as an internationally competitive sailor, Dr. Wagschal has a passion for helping to build people and team cultures in ways that foster optimism, collaboration, self-awareness, and a growth mindset.

Leadership Performance Coach

Michelle Newton

Michelle Newton is Won For All's Leadership Performance Coach, author, and holds a level 3 NCCP certification.

Won For All Bench Coach, Michelle Newton has 20+ years of experience as a sport performance coach, both nationally and internationally specializing in the TAIS assessment tool. A tool that measures an athlete’s ability to perform under pressure, uncovers weaknesses, and reveals blind spots in their game.

Michelle’s athletic background includes DH ski racing, mountain bike stage racing, and ultra-marathoning. Because of this competitive background, Michelle understands what it takes to be able to handle pressure, overcome obstacles, and be the best of the best.

For these reasons, she is very relatable and able to connect on a deeper level with her clients. Her strength lies in her ability to coach athletes in a way that builds trust and belief in themselves to achieve greatness in their sport.

Won For All & Sacred Heart University’s (SHU) Sports Broadcast Training Program is a hybrid event. Your in-person, A+ education at SHU’s Martire Center is bookended with coaching & instruction provided by Won For All’s trailblazing team of coaches, through our online locker room & learning lab.


Sacred Heart University’s Martire Center –
The $50 million, 120,000-square-foot center is a unique, world-class facility fully equipped & outfitted with up-to-date multimedia production software and equipment, including 3 broadcast studios

ESPN or NBC Sports Studio Tour – ESPN/NBC Sports do not offer tours to the public, so this is your chance to participate in a guided behind-the-scenes look at their studios. See how many favorite sports shows come to life, ask some questions and enjoy a catered dinner.

Great River Championship Golf Course – Great River is a semi-private 18-hole golf course that boasts a 32,000-square-foot clubhouse. It’s located just 11 miles away from SHU’s main campus and is a signature Tommy Fazio-designed facility that has been ranked fourth-best in Connecticut by Golf.com.

A Casting Call for Sponsors

Our sponsors will help further our mission; igniting a lifetime of extraordinary performances for world-class athletes, beyond the game, and finding Dream 2 in the broadcast booth.

Simply put, without your generous sponsorship, we could not host this game-changing training event for elite, professional athletes and our sport leadership and education communities.

Platinum Sponsorship Opportunities (3)

We’re seeking:

#1 A Sports Network, Broadcasting Partner

#2 A Financial Services, Banking partner

#3 Any business that sees value in brand association with our Mover & Shaker Community

Brand Promotion - Online, On-Campus & Beyond

Our Assets => Your Assets

Online

May to August, 2022 > 3 months

Social/Digital Media

SHU, Won For All + Partners

  • SHU/WFA Social Media
  • SHU e-Newspaper Press Release
  • SHU Media Channels (Targeted)

Won For All Website

Won For All LMS & Community Platform

Won For All e-Newsletter

On-Campus

June 24-27 > 3 Days

Event Signage

SHU’s Martire Center

SHU Gym, Dorm

Collateral – Programs, Name Badges

  • Golf Clubhouse, Course
  • Sports Broadcasting Studio Tour
  • Opening/Closing Speaking Opportunity

On-Campus+

June 24-27

Networking:
Learn, Socialize, Dine

  • Athletes, Executives, Personalities, Thought-Leaders
  • Your invited Clients and Prospects

Other sponsors, partners, and leaders

 

Join our high profile participants, gain insights from our speakers, liaise with our network, dine and golf with elite athletes + others.

Learn More
All activities & courses below will be held on-campus at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.

Intro to Broadcasting - On Air Screen, Radio & Podcast Testing

Stand-Up Highlights Workshop

Hosted by Dario Melendez, Sports Director, WISN TV

Studio Show Workshop

Hosted by Bill Pidto, Studio Host, MSG Network

Radio & Podcast Workshop

Hosted by Freddie Coleman, Radio Host, ESPN

Studio Show Production Part 1

Taught by SHU Graduate Professor Brian Thorne; Learn the language of studio production, how to construct highlights, and wrapped up with a round-robin session.

Studio Show Production Part 2

Taught by SHU Graduate Professor Brian Thorne; Time to put what you learned in "Studio Show Production Pt 1" into practice and produce Highlight Stand-Ups

Producing a Studio Show - Practical Learning

Shoot/Block/Walk Through Studio Show

Taught by SHU Graduate Professor Brian Thorne

Produce Studio Show

Taught by SHU Graduate Professor Brian Thorne

Deliverable(s)

Feedback & Analysis

You will hear from industry experts Bill Pidto, Dario Melendez, Jen Lada, Freddie Coleman, Paul Pabst, and others

Highlight Reel

You will receive a professionally edited highlight reel that can be added to your portfolio & packaged with your resume when looking for a career in broadcasting.

Certificate of Completion

After completing the Won For All & Sacred Heart University Sports Broadcast Training Program, you will receive a certificate showing you completed the program.
All exercises or activites below will be completed virtually through the Won For All online Learning Lab

Beyond The Athlete Identity

Personal Brand Story

You will work with Won For All's Personal Brand Coach to gather, understand, and analyze not only your personal perceptions of yourself but how others also perceive you. This process helps develop your authentic personal brand story - your unique voice as you pursue your passion and purpose beyond the game.

Leadership Performance

You will work with Won For All's Sport Performance Coach to uncover & recognize your leadership/communications strengths, becoming more focused, motivated and confident, with the ability to excel under pressure.

Your Game Plan

Strategic Communications & Networking

Armed with your Authentic Leadership Brand Guide, and the knowledge garnered on-campus at SHU, you will work with Won For All's Wagschal Marketing Strategy Coaches to develop key communication tools and a plan to network with your target market audiences that will fuel your business success.

    Check out our Sponsorship tab for information about joining us!

    Fill out the form below to apply or learn more about the Sports Broadcast Training Program


      Won For All gets us, our lifestyle and they’re connected- a fabulous program and experience that helped me land a DREAM JOB

      Justin Morrow12 year MLS Athlete Cup Champion, All-Star, USA National Team Member, University of Notre Dame Graduate, Founder Black Players for Change, 2022 MLSE Executive