Marist Broadcasting Club Sets the Stage for Excellence

With a membership that has tripled in active, hands-on participants in grades 7-12, MBC has expanded this year to include Marist Sports Telecast (MST), an exciting new division dedicated to Marist athletics coverage. Their news sports show, found on Instagram as @maristmst and on YouTube as @MBCBoard, complements MBC’s Thursday morning news show, which is broadcast in homerooms and advisories and shares stories of student life across campus. Much of MBC’s programming is created in the media design studios of Marist's Goizueta Center for Immersive Experience and Design.

There are over a dozen students regularly involved in athletic home game productions, running the camera, creating and implementing improved graphics, researching and reporting game and player statistics, calling play-by-play and analysis, and remote sideline reporting. The Marist community can tune in to the telecasts on the NFHS Network. MST football coverage exceeds more than 1,000 views per game. The team provides analysis on the road whenever possible and was thrilled when they were able to cover all boys and girls basketball games last season.

“MBC was the reason why I came to Marist instead of another school,” says David Owens ’25. “I knew early on that I had a strong passion for broadcasting, and the number of opportunities this club has given me to pursue my dream job is something that I could never get at another high school…Being able to enter college with six years of real broadcasting experience under my belt will help me have a strong advantage in a college and professional broadcast setting, which is priceless in the sportscasting industry.”

In addition to athletics, MBC students also delivered live coverage of three key spring events, Baccalaureate, Graduation, and St. Peter Chanel Day—which are hallmarks of the Marist experience—as well as providing video coverage for the inaugural TEDxYouth@MaristSchool conference earlier this month. Being able to share these milestone moments with the world is an invaluable asset to strengthening our bonds as a Marist community.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed creating everything that we make, whether it be our weekly news show, athletics broadcasts, reporting on stories around campus, or covering special events like graduation,” says Jack Guhl ’26. “The exposure to broadcasting I’ve received through MBC has made an impact on me—so much so that I am considering a career in it. What I’ve loved most about my experience, however, is the community that the club has given me. I’ve become close with people I never otherwise would’ve met, in all different groups or grades. MBC is an awesome club that gives students the opportunity to do so much, and it’s my favorite part about Marist.”

The club also has added a valuable dimension to its activities through an enlightening speaker series. This series has provided Marist students with a unique opportunity to hear from successful broadcast journalism professionals and gain insights into the industry, paving the way for bright futures in the field.

One of the standout moments in this speaker series was the visit from renowned consumer advocate and money expert Clark Howard, who shared the trajectory of his broadcast career, offered valuable advice, and emphasized the importance of adaptability in the ever-evolving world of broadcasting. His wisdom included the counsel to "stand strong, stay strong," underscoring the significance of integrity and trust in journalism. MBC’s guest speakers throughout the 2022-2023 academic year included NBA TV/Turner Sports Coordinating Director Brent Berkman, Court TV Legal Correspondent Julia Jenae, play-by-play announcer Jack Sadighian, and Alex Wilson from The Weather Channel. This academic year, host of “The World from A to Z” Carl Azuz discussed his media career with students via Google Meet.

The Marist community has been enthusiastic and receptive to the speaker series, with many non-MBC students and various faculty and staff members attending the sessions. They appreciate the opportunity to interact with industry professionals and gain a deeper understanding of broadcast journalism. Upcoming speakers will continue to enrich students' understanding of the broadcast journalism field.

While the speaker series offers invaluable insights, Marist students also benefit from a robust curriculum that combines classroom learning with hands-on experience. Students are assigned tasks such as writing live broadcast scripts, collaborating on news show rundowns, conducting interviews, shooting original stories in the Marist broadcast studio, and handling operational roles in the live control room. This blend of theoretical and practical education prepares students for success in broadcast journalism beyond their time at Marist.

Last academic year, the group embarked on several field trips, including to WXIA-TV, the television station in Atlanta associated with NBC and the “11Alive” local news program. Students toured the Atlanta studios, met with newsroom staff, and sat in the control room for the live midday show. Afterward, they were able to connect with working journalists during lunch and a panel discussion.

This spring, they traveled to TNT Sports. “The MBC field trip to TNT Sports was my favorite thing I have done at my time at Marist,” Owens said. “NBA on TNT is a place that I hope to work in my future, and the ability to tour the set of the show I watch most nights was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We were able to talk with show director Brent Berkman about how their production operates to generate new ideas for our own sports broadcasts. Additionally, we were able to meet Marist alumnus Ernie Johnson, Jr.”

Ernie Johnson, Jr. ’74, host of NBA coverage “Inside the NBA”, surprised the aspiring Marist students during their visit. He spent time sharing industry advice and getting to know the members of MBC. This year’s excursions will include trips to Cox Radio Group, The Weather Channel, and CNN.

Notably, the Marist Broadcasting Club received significant support from the school community through the #iGiveCatholic campaign on #GivingTuesday, November 29, 2022. The generosity of supporters helped raise $27,000. These funds were allocated to the purchase of state-of-the-art production equipment, further enhancing the school's broadcasting efforts. With gifts from 88 donors, it is clear that the Marist community is dedicated to advancing the club's mission and helping students access the best resources for their broadcasting endeavors.

“MBC has helped me develop my leadership skills and expand my knowledge of various programs that I use to hone my storytelling abilities, such as the Tricaster and Adobe Premiere Pro,” Ana Sophia Riordan ’24 says. In her senior year, she is “looking forward to further developing our news show on a technological scale to increase our quality and the entertainment of our show as a whole.”

The ability of Marist journalism students to learn and produce content with leading-edge production equipment has not only enhanced their ability to pursue college-level broadcast studies in the future, but also has enabled the school to share engaging digital content that connects on-campus community with alumni, parents of alumni, and friends around the world.

“I'm excited to continue improving our program at MBC,” says Mr. Tufts. “It is a platform for nurturing the next generation of broadcast journalists who will lead with integrity through innovation. We're committed to pushing the boundaries and providing the best opportunities for our students."

The Marist Broadcasting Club's impressive growth and improvements, coupled with the insightful speaker series and the generous support of the Marist School community, are a testament to the dedication and vision of both students and faculty. Mr. Tufts does not foresee the momentum slowing down. As the 2023-2024 recipient of Marist School’s Rebecca Cox McKinley Humanities and Global Education Grant, awarded for his innovative work as the media and broadcast journalism teacher and MBC moderator, Tufts will be presented a professional stipend to travel nationally with the purpose of studying collegiate journalism programs for the benefit of Marist students.

“In college, I am planning on majoring in communications and political science, so I definitely think MBC and other opportunities Marist has given for public speaking has ignited the drive to influence others,” says Sienna Reams ’24. “I think MBC has a huge future in 2023, and I'm really excited to be a part of it!”

The combination of practical experience, classroom learning, and exposure to industry leaders is molding the next generation of broadcast journalists at Marist School, inspiring them to pursue their passions and excel in the dynamic world of broadcast journalism. Marist students are well-equipped to lead and serve in the future through this exciting field.