A panel of experts will discuss what it means to be a sports fan in the digital era on Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. in 201 Riley Hall at Linfield College.
The event is a part of this year’s Program for Liberal Arts and Civic Engagement (PLACE) theme, “The Digital Society.”
Digital technologies have changed the experience of being a sports fan. Significant changes have been brought on by social media; live Web streaming of sporting events (often with a chat feature allowing fans to communicate with each other during the game); smart-phone applications such as MLB.com and ESPN Tournament Challenge that allow fans to follow the progress of their favorite teams and compete with other fans to predict outcomes; and online fantasy sports leagues such as Draft Kings and Fan Duel. These technologies have made it possible for fans to communicate directly with professional athletes, teams and other fans from a distance. Sports teams are also using these technologies to encourage deeper involvement and loyalty of fans.
An expert panel will discuss these changes and other digital issues. The panel, moderated by Lisa Weidman, associate professor of mass communication, will feature Andrew Billings, director of the Alabama Program in Sports Communication in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media at the University of Alabama; Lindsay Schnell, staff writer at Sports Illustrated; Rob Moseley, editor-in-chief of GoDucks.com and official Twitter voice of Ducks athletics at the University of Oregon; and Travis McGuire, Linfield director of social media.
PLACE promotes innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning in the liberal arts at Linfield College, whether within the classroom, across our physical and online campuses, or in the broader community.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lisa Weidman at lweidma@linfield.edu or 503-883-2219.
