UF student journalists will have the same access at Jaguar games as pros, while WRUF has official coverage rights for 3 years.
The University of Florida and the Jacksonville Jaguars are teaming up for radio coverage of the team while providing sports journalism training for students.
The organizations announced the partnership this week, making WRUF 98.1-FM and 850-AM, anchored in Gainesville, the official radio station covering home games for the Jags. Meanwhile, the team has agreed to a deal with the UF College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) that will provide access to students enhancing experience covering sports on an NFL level.
“As leaders in their fields, the Jaguars and the University of Florida are uniquely positioned to partner as the first NFL team and elite research institution to combine gameday broadcast coverage with hands-on career development for emerging talent,” said Jaguars Vice President of Sales and Marketing and UF graduate Chris Gargani.
“WRUF spans a tremendous market opportunity for the Jaguars, and we are looking forward to expanding our presence to our large fan base and contributing to the professional development of UF journalism students through this one-of-a-kind relationship.”
Beyond that broadcasting pact, the UF students in the school’s CJC will be working along WRUF staff and faculty. The objective is to provide those student reporters and photojournalists access on the same level of coverage as professional journalists.
Student scribes will get press box access, locker room availability and will be part of the press corps in press conferences before and after games at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville this year.
The WRUF deal for Jags coverage will span the next three years.
“We are committed to providing hands-on learning for CJC students, and this partnership will open up countless opportunities for our aspiring sports journalists,” said Hub Brown, Dean of UF’s CJC.
Beyond the official games in the Fall schedule, the UF students will also be permitted to report on practices and training camp activities through the Summer.