CCOM Students Get Hands-On Experience Through Unique Gotham FC Program
Posted in: CCOM News
Thanks to a caring and dedicated College of Communication and Media (CCOM) alum, students have received a unique opportunity to cover Gotham FC through the team’s College Media Corps Initiative. This is the first program of its kind under the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), providing an exceptional platform for students to develop their storytelling and content creation skills while expanding their sports communication networks.
Gotham FC’s communications team, including CCOM alum Cole Kutner, launched the initiative out of a shared passion for student media. Kutner discovered his passion for sports PR from Hawk Communications, a student-run strategic communications agency taken as a class led by Professor Keith Green. Thanks to that experience, Cutner is paying that experience forward. During his time at Hawk Communications, Kutner worked with a local sports communications agency to run soccer-themed events for McDonald’s. The agency was led by current FIFA executive Lenny Santiago, who has also participated in CCOM’s Mentoring Program.
“Just three years ago, I was doing the exact same thing, (worrying) about how I was going to get a job, where I was going to go, and what my next step was,” said Kutner. Knowing he can now ease that worry for current students is a source of pride. “It warms my heart knowing that we give students that opportunity so many have been looking for.”
Kutner’s journey started with a game day operations role that quickly grew into a full-time position after Gotham FC qualified for the playoffs. He shares his story to inspire the next generation of Red Hawks aspiring to work in sports media and to emphasize the professional advantage the Media Corps Initiative provides. “Any opportunity students can get to separate themselves from others makes a big difference,” he said. “To have your own portfolio coming out of college and covering not only your college sports teams but professional sports teams, is massive.”
Luke Cirianni, a senior sports communication major who is a broadcaster for Red Hawk Sports Network, radio host for WMSC, and writer for The Montclarion, was one of the first recruits. After connecting with Kutner, Cirianni obtained press credentials and has covered games, participated in press conferences, and interviewed players. “It’s a great atmosphere for Montclair students. The staff is nice, incredibly helpful and it’s only a 15 minute drive from our campus to the Sports Illustrated Arena.”
Communication and Media Studies sophomore Tori McKlaine, who participated in Montclair’s Pre-College Influencing, Marketing and Creative Strategy program before enrolling in the Fall of 2024, recently covered a game as a sports photographer. She praised the university for providing practical application. “I think this was my chance to step into the professional world. I think a lot of colleges want to prepare you with lectures, but the fact that Montclair has the opportunity to send you out into the field is one of the things I’m grateful for.”
A “Day in the Life” of Sophomore Tori Mcklaine covering an FC Gotham game.
Kutner is thrilled to see the media presence grow around the team, calling the change “night and day.” Coverage for the Gotham FC games now includes major networks like ESPN. And similar to 2023 when Kutner started with the organization, this season’s team is making another improbable run in the playoffs. The team qualified as the eighth and final seed, but has won two games to advance to the NWSL championship this Saturday vs.the Washington Spirit.
Although the league championship will be played at a neutral site in California, meaning there are no more home games for the team this season, Kutner reflected on how the team, sport and program continue to grow. “It’s great to see the press box slowly filling up. As we progress as a club, the opportunities for the club and CCOM students will continue to grow. We hope that more students take advantage of that.”
“Experiential learning is a key component of our students’ academic journeys,” said Dr. Keith Strudler, Dean of the College of Communication and Media. “We are proud of Cole and his success, and greatly appreciate how he is giving back to our CCOM students in such a unique and impactful way.”
The College Media Corps Initiative is a direct pathway for Montclair students to accelerate their careers by providing students with the opportunity to cover a championship-winning NWSL club featuring international superstars like Rose Levelle and Emily Sonnet. The team plays close to campus, and to gain this kind of professional-level experience is a truly invaluable opportunity for CCOM students and for aspiring journalists who want to help elevate women’s sports. Students who are interested in learning more about the program for next season can reach out to Kutner on LinkedIn after the season is over.
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Story by: Gabriella Larosa
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About the College of Communication and Media: The College of Communication and Media (CCOM) offers a range of dynamic programs to a talented and diverse student population of over 2,000. Offering degrees in advertising, animation and visual effects, communication and media studies, film and television, journalism and digital media, social media and public relations, sports communication and an online, asynchronous MA devoted to strategic communication and media, the College prepares the next generation of communication and media practitioners and leaders. Founded in 2012 and housed in world-class, state-of-the-art facilities just 12 miles from New York City, the College is the only program in the country that offers the following opportunities for students: a radio station (WMSC), newspaper (The Montclarion), strategic communications agency (Hawk Communications), sports network (Red Hawk Sports Network) streaming platform (Hawk+), digital newsroom (News Lab) and studio, and a social media listening center (Joetta DiBella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication). The College also has a Student Success team, including dedicated Career Services and Advising professionals who prepare students for the internship and job search process. Student projects and programs have recently received national recognition from PRSSA’s Bateman Competition, an Edward R. Murrow Award, several Marconi Award nominations, and College Television Awards (“Student Emmy” awards) from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The College is also home to the Center for Cooperative Media, which serves the public by working to grow and strengthen local journalism and media. Through $7.1M in grants awarded over the last five years, the Center focuses on collaboration in journalism, media equity, media coaching and training, civic science and research. The Center is also home to the NJ Civic Information Consortium, the largest funder of media and journalism in New Jersey, granting more than $10M over the last five years to support independent local media, journalism and training initiatives.