UK sports media programs will have production, research space in Central Bank Center
Students interested in sports media at the University of Kentucky will soon have access to a new production and research space in Rupp Arena at the Central Bank Center, the university announced Wednesday.
The 20,000 square foot studio, production center and research space in Central Bank Center will allow UK students, faculty and staff interested in sports media to work alongside UK’s media and marketing teams. The space is a partnership between the College of Communication and Information, UK Athletics and JMI Sports, said Jennifer Greer, dean of UK’s College of Communication and Information.
“We’ve been training students in broadcasting and media production for more than 70 years in various spaces across the campus,” Greer said. “This space represents a significant step forward in providing a collaborative place where our educational programs can be taken to the next level through an innovative partnership with athletics and the university’s media-rights partner, JMI Sports.”
The new space will be located on the first floor of the Pavilion in the renovated Central Bank Center, and will include a production center, as well as space for faculty and students to conduct research, Greer said. UK has a Sports Communication path within the Department of Communication, as well as a sports track within the School of Journalism and Media.
“We believe deeply in the imperative to put students first in everything that we do,” said Tim Bernal, executive associate athletics director/external operations for UK Athletics. “That extends to our students on the field and court as well as those who are working alongside us in media and sports production. Our goal is to be best-in-class in every sport and in every program. This studio aligns with that goal to provide the best opportunities for all of our students.”
The new space will replace the 6,000 square feet of studio space in the Taylor Education Building at UK, which will be repurposed, the university said. The studio is scheduled to be open in fall 2023, Greer said.
“This studio and production space presents an opportunity for the College of Communication and Information to be more actively involved with the UK Sports Network in a highly visible facility in the heart of downtown Lexington, demonstrating a collaboration between athletics, campus and the downtown community,” said Kim Shelton, UK Sports and Campus Marketing president.
The partners “envision the facility as a truly collaborative space,” allowing students to work alongside professionals and work in sports media, the university said in a news release.
“Central Bank Center has long enjoyed a tremendous partnership with the University of Kentucky,” said Bob Elliston, chairman of the Lexington Center Corporation. “Utilizing the transformative investments that have been made in the expanded Central Bank Center campus as part of the educational opportunities for university students is a natural extension of that partnership, and we commend the college, Athletic Department and JMI for their leadership”