ESPN’s Jemele Hill uses real-world experiences to teach UCF sport business students

Jemele Hill, a columnist and television analyst for ESPN, can often be seen on television debating Skip Bayless about the sports topics of the day. But on Tuesdays at 6 p.m., she won't be found in Bristol, Conn. No, she will be found in Orlando.

At UCF, to be exact.

Hill, an Orlando resident and former Orlando Sentinel sports reporter, is teaching a class on sports business media for the sports management program this semester.

She has worked in the journalism industry for 15 years and brings a skill set and array of experiences to the classroom that helps students understand the sometimes unseen side of sports media.

That includes everything from ESPN to writing for a paper in Raleigh, N.C.

"I can use my real-world experience and combine it with what they're learning in textbooks and give it a real face," Hill said. "I want them to understand how sports business and culture are related."

Dr. Keith Harrison, associate director of the sports business management program, believes that the sports business and entertainment industry is highly competitive. In order to make it in the industry, Harrison believes students must be "compelling."

"You have to be interning, volunteering, reading and researching," Harrison said.

That is one of the reasons he brought Hill in as a visiting instructor. After seeing her featured as one of UCF's distinguished speakers in 2006, Harrison thought her knowledge could be valuable in the classroom to help students understand what it means to be compelling.

"We want her brand to represent reality," Harrison said. "She's going to break myths."

And breaking those myths starts with a strict classroom. In class Tuesday, Hill instructed her students to remove their hats — not for the national anthem before a game — but to be professional while taking a quiz.

After a book check to make sure every student had the required text for the course, she moved on to discussing topical subjects in sports and challenging her students to think from a different point of view.

Hill observed that many sports fans only watch and think of the game emotionally but don't really understand how the operations of the industry work, from conference realignment to why networks have control over game times.

"I think this class fills in a lot of blanks and gives yourself an opportunity to think about you as a sports fan and where you fit in to all of this," Hill said.

Andrea Bejarano, a senior advertising/public relations major, said that the first day of class featured a discussion about whether or not student-athletes should get paid.

"She brings her own opinion, and we all engage and learn from each other," Bejarano said.

However, Hill is able to learn from her students, too, and she has an opportunity to reconnect with her audience and get feedback from the people watching ESPN every day.

"I think I'm connecting to real people, not that athletes aren't real people, but that's a different world," Hill said. "Sometimes we lose touch as to why they are drawn to sports or why they are drawn to ESPN."

But if there is one thing Hill hopes her students learn from her class, it is that they need to focus on the skills that will help them reach their career goals.

"At this age, I think they are so consumed with the result that they miss the part where they are supposed to be building a foundation and getting good and honing their craft," Hill said.

Hill's experience and industry knowledge helps students identify the skills they need to work on.

"If they just focus on being good versus focusing on where they should wind up or what they should be getting paid, then they will get, ultimately, all the things they really want," Hill said.

Scott Bukstein, program coordinator of the sports business management program, said most students come into the program wanting to be team presidents and general managers, but do not necessarily know how to get there.

"We want them to learn more about the journey, learn what it takes to get there," Bukstein said. "Hopefully, she will enlighten students."

Bejarano wants to work for the NFL's public relations and says that Hill's insights as a reporter has really helped her identify what she will be dealing with in the public relations industry.

"The class and the program itself are very lucky to have her," Bejarano said. "She's a great addition."