‘More necessary than ever,’ says Adande on journalism

By Lydia Williams and Rakiyah Lenon | Staff writer and Editor in chief

J.A. Adande, a former sports writer for ESPN and the Los Angeles Times, visited Augusta University to share his wisdom with aspiring journalists on Thursday, Nov. 16. Adande delivered a lecture titled, “In the Zone: Sports Journalism in the 21st Century.”

Adande shared his expertise about sports media and talked to students about how they can adapt to changing conditions of the 21st-century sports communication job market. He did not disappoint listeners, speaking eloquently about his journey through sports journalism.

Adande said that journalists in today's day and age need to be proficient in multiple outlets, especially as people to look to social media more now than ever as a way to obtain information.

“Time is at a premium, more than ever it feels like with so much competition for it,” he said. “What maybe would have been even 90 seconds on a newscast, can you do in 30 to 40 seconds with a Tik Tok?”

He added, speaking of social media platforms, “People treat these as serious sources of news now.”

He said journalists need to make themselves valuable asset, finding ways in which they can effectively tell stories and do more with less.

“You really have to set yourself apart and get information that no one else has to try to provide a perspective and a different way of looking at things that others hadn’t thought of,” he said. “There’s so much of the same, and what are you going to do that’s different?”

Adande said regardless of how much the world has changed, journalism continues to be something of great value.

“I just think journalism is more necessary than ever,” he said. “People still crave and appreciate good journalism. There’s still a role for it.”

Adande currently serves as the director of the Northwestern University sports journalism program and ESPN personality. He served as the sports editor of the Daily Northwestern student newspaper during his undergraduate years. The paper's investigative efforts this year led to the dismissal of both the university's football and baseball coaches.

“We are fortunate to have Mr. Adande visit AU and speak to our students about sports journalism,” David W. Bulla, chair of the Department of Communication. “His students recently brought down a Northwestern football coach and then a baseball coach after their investigative reporting on hazing for the Daily Northwestern newspaper. "

Adande has also been an instructor for many students involved in the newspaper. Notably, the Daily Northwestern was honored with the 2023 Reveille Seven Courage in Student Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for its impactful reporting on these stories.

The lecture was open to all AU students and faculty.

Conatct Lydia Williams at lwiliams23@augusta.edu and Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu.

J. A. Adande said good journalism is still much appreciated and valued in today’s society. (photos by Rakiiyah Lenon)