By Audrey Helms | BG Falcon Media intern
Rookie falcons are flying high into the realm of sports media. Unlike some university media groups that only offer the ‘good’ opportunities to upperclassmen, the Falcon Media Sports Network offers mentorship and guidance to underclassmen, while encouraging them to contribute to meaningful opportunities as well.
It isn’t just executives Lucas Kleimeyer (Sports Content Director) and Tyler Kavaelcez (Production Director) running the show.
With all of the recent expansion (increase in broadcast games, new partnership with WBGU-TV and the weekly Zig Zone sports radio talk show), underclassmen students are getting the opportunity to dive deep into the world sports media – from the very start of their time at BGSU.
Whether that’s first-year Kaden Knapp traveling down to Daytona to cover women’s basketball, Andrew Smith covering the Mid-American Conference basketball tournament beat or Kevin Hutchinson operating the control board for radio broadcasts, these rookie Falcons are getting to take flight into the world of sports media as early as their freshman year.
Sports Content Director, Lucas Kleimeyer plays a large role in mentoring these young Falcons and said he has a simple mantra, “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”
He shared the importance of getting these young Falcons prepared now so they are ready to possibly take over in an executive position in the future.
“It’s easier to get involved now if you’re a freshman because we’re more willing to give new people reps so they can eventually take over as they get older,” he said.
While Lucas shared he felt he had plenty of opportunities when he was an underclassman, he did mention, “There are a lot more opportunities to do now than there were two years ago,” crediting much of this to the growth within the organization.
“Whereas before I think the organization wasn’t as big, and a lot of times those opportunities weren’t being provided to freshmen because probably because of a lack of trust, or fear of messing up because the organization was going under a rebrand and the former leadership really didn’t want anything bad to happen” he added.
Below are just a few of our successful rookie falcons who are getting a head start in sports media.
Kaden Knapp
Kaden, a first-year Broadcast Journalism student, serves as a co-beat reporter and broadcaster for women’s basketball. In these positions, Kaden has gained the opportunity to travel far distances with the team.
“Over Thanksgiving break, I went down to Daytona and covered their two games there,” he said. In March, Kaden also got the opportunity to travel to Cleveland to assist with covering the 2025 MAC men’s basketball tournament.
Although Kaden already came to BGSU with more than five years of broadcast experience, he described his experiences so far with the Falcon Media Sports Network as giving him “a leg up in future endeavors” and helping to teach him “what broadcasting looks like in a more real-world setting.”
Kevin Hutchinson
Kevin, a first-year sports management student, spends many days operating the control board for radio broadcasts. Through this experience, he said that he has been able to learn more about every aspect that goes into a radio broadcast. He has also been on screen for the weekly sportscast, The Swoop. In fact, during one segment, he correctly predicted the Cleveland Browns would draft BGSU tight end Harold Fanin, Jr. in the third round of the NFL draft.
Kevin said he found Falcon Media Sports Network members to be very supportive.
“The experience has been awesome, and people have been super supportive in helping me grow,” he said. “My involvement will help me with my goal of working in sports media, as I am learning various aspects of the media industry and gaining valuable hands-on experiences.”
Foster Roesti
Foster, a first-year journalism, works as a sports reporter, spending much of his time writing feature stories about BGSU athletic teams and athletes.
“My experience so far has been amazing from beginning to end, everyone has been extremely helpful in learning and growing as a writer and broadcaster,” he said. “Even though it is student media, it has a very professional feel, and we all hold ourselves to a very high standard.”