Andrew Li

Sitting at the microphone, senior Zaven Nalbandian announces the basketball game. LSP streams every home basketball game through YouTube’s live streaming service. “It can get complicated at times with all the high-tech equipment but after I really got the systems down I can focus on providing good commentary,” Nalbandian said.

Students are being thrust into the world of broadcast journalism through Longhorn Sports Productions (LSP), an organization founded in 2016 as a way of bringing Longhorn sports to those who cannot attend games. Originally, students volunteered as camera operators and producers to broadcast football and basketball games on YouTube’s live streaming service. Since then, it has grown into a business with paid employees and management.

“LSP was founded in the spring of 2016 when Kelley Sports and Daktronics installed the score and video boards in the stadium,” Media Coordinator of LSP Amie Gossett said. “I was asked by [Brian] Kessler if I would be willing to assist with the process. After the person who was originally supposed to be the leader had to remove himself from the project, I was asked to be the sole sponsor of the program.”

LSP now covers a wide range of Longhorn sports including volleyball, soccer, football, basketball and baseball, and positions within the company include cameramen, producers and announcers. Students learn how to operate technology and programs that would normally be found on a real news set.

“We get paid for broadcasting and advertising our sponsors, which takes some planning and coordination, which are essential skills in many jobs outside of the broadcasting realm,” senior Avik Banerjee said. “I’ve learned how to work as a team to accomplish a task efficiently and effectively. I feel like this will be really important going forward into any career and I am extremely thankful that LSP was able to give that to me.”

Students who are interested in sports are also given a chance to explore the industry further than the traditional fan.

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“I quit basketball after my sophomore year, but I still wanted to stay involved with the sport as more than a fan,” senior Collin Krewson said. “LSP gave me the opportunity to keep up with the excitement of the game while getting paid to do so.”

The value of the student labor can not only be measured in monetary terms, but also in the job skills that they gain through the company.

“I’ve really been able to improve my public speaking ability,” Krewson said. “Announcing includes commenting on events that are happening in real time, and basketball can be a very fast-paced game, so I’ve learned how to speak on-demand quickly and clearly.”

The program also offers opportunities for artistic students to showcase their talent.

“LSP gives students who have graphic design and multimedia skills a chance to have their work shared with the public. Students great graphics for the events and some compose and create the music to enhance them,” Gossett said.

In addition to real-world job experience, students are also paid $20 for each game that they work.

“I have always enjoyed working with technology and LSP was an opportunity to put my skills to work and gain some experience working with others while getting paid. I feel like Chris Berman, or Joe Buck when I’m on the mic,” Banerjee said.