March 21, 2013 (Jackson) - Jay Harris will temporarily trade the video camera at ESPN for a crowd at Belhaven University on Monday, March 25, 2013 for the speaker series, “Advice from the Pros.” The event will happen in conjunction with Belhaven's recent announcement of its new sports broadcasting concentration and give Belhaven students and other universities from the area insight and knowledge into sports broadcasting and administration.
The event is happening in the Belhaven Barber Auditorium from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and other university students from Ole Miss, Jackson State University, Mississippi College and Millsaps College have been invited to attend.
Harris is no stranger to sports broadcasting and started with ESPN in 2003. In 2006, he was named anchor of the 6 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter, ESPN's flagship sports news and information program. Dr. Nathan Kirkpatrick, Assistant Professor of Sports Administration at Belhaven, said, “I know that there will be the initial buzz of 'Jay Harris is here from ESPN.' That is good, but I am almost happier that students will be hearing from practicing professionals. In class, we practice writing and speaking skills all the time, but Harris and Jones do this everyday for a living and can offer another helpful perspective.”
Kelly Jones, Morning Anchor of KCTV News in Kansas City and Marc Williams, marketing guru for Williams Communications LLC, will also be presenting at the speaker series. The sports industry pros will give advice about the industry and they will focus on topics like career paths, the importance of education, family and sports to the value of networking in the sports industry.
Dr. Howard Bartee, Department Chair of Sports Administration, said, “We are excited to have these esteemed guest on our campus. I believe that hearing from these seasoned professionals in the sports and broadcasting industry will make this event priceless and give students an advantage when they go out into their careers. We both see sports administration and sports broadcasting as different avenues that students can apply their God-given talents.”