J-School Students and Alumni Recognized for Their Work in Sports Media
Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC) was well represented at the 46th Annual Sports Emmy Awards on May 20.
A spotlight was shone on the caliber of talent developed at FAMU SJGC as 2001 graduate Roy Wood Jr. hosted the event, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City.
Wood, a celebrated comedian, Emmy-nominated documentary producer, and Writers Guild of America-nominated writer, took time during the ceremony to highlight the importance of journalism programs at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), especially his alma mater.
“As a graduate of Florida A&M University, I know just how important HBCUs have been and continue to be,” said Wood, a former longtime correspondent and guest host of “The Daily Show,” who is now host of CNN’s acclaimed “Have I Got News for You” and author of the newly released “The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir.”
“I wouldn’t be here today without my journalism school, and I know there are countless other current and former HBCU students who feel the same, including people in this room,” Wood said as he commanded the crowd’s attention.
As one of the media industry’s most prestigious honors for excellence in sports television, the Sports Emmy Awards recognized several Rattlers among the nation’s top productions.
SJGC alumnus Kareem White, pictured at left on campus with fellow FAMU alumnus and Hollywood producer Will Packer, was part of ESPN’s team that won the Emmy for Outstanding Studio Show–Daily for “NFL Live.” As ESPN’s director of talent production, White serves as a booking producer for the show. He is a 1997 broadcast journalism graduate and was also part of the 2023 Emmy-winning team for Outstanding Studio Show–Daily for his work as a producer on “SportsCenter.”
Alumna Pam Oliver, pictured above and inducted into the Emmys’ Silver Circle in 2024, was part of the FOX team nominated for Outstanding Live Series for “FOX NFL,” for which she serves as a sideline reporter and senior correspondent. Oliver is a 1984 broadcast journalism graduate.
Alumnus Javier Wallace, Ph.D., pictured above during filming, was featured as an expert based on his TED Talk and upcoming book on exposing basketball trafficking among youth on VICE TV’s “Scam Dunk: Uninterrupted’s Real Stories of Basketball,” which was nominated in the category of outstanding journalism. The project was produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Company. Wallace is a 2009 public relations graduate.
For their work on the documentary short “Bullet,” the story of Bob Hayes, FAMU SJGC students and spring 2025 graduates (pictured from left) Darnell Walker-Jones (broadcast journalism), Germanie Bozeman (public relations), and Rowan Mumford (broadcast journalism) were named finalists for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Coca-Cola HBCU Sports Production Grant. The team worked under the advisement of FAMU TV-20 Director Edward Thomas.
After a two-year winning streak, FAMU SJGC students did not take home the top prize this year. However, they had the opportunity to host an exclusive screening of the documentary on campus in the spring and their work was showcased alongside fellow HBCU students on the Sports Emmys’ center stage. Teasers announcing the finalists played on the big screen, with Wood and Stephanie Eaddy, cultural marketing lead at The Coca-Cola Company, offering glowing praise.
“Their submissions clearly showcased their talent and their commitment to great storytelling,” Wood said.
Eaddy added, “All of our finalists this year demonstrated remarkable talent, creativity and media aptitude.”
WATCH THE ACTION:
View related video clips of the Sports Emmys below.
TAKE A LOOK BACK:
View photos from the screening of finalist documentary, “Bullet,” held at FAMU SJGC on April 30 below.
