After serving as interim executive director of the Center for Sports Media at Seton Hall since January, BJ Schecter has been officially named executive director of the CSM.
“We are thrilled to officially welcome BJ Schecter as executive director of the Center for Sports Media,” said Bryan Crable, Ph.D., dean of the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. “In just a few months, he has charted an ambitious future for the Center and created new pathways and opportunities for our college’s students. His expertise, passion, and vision for the future of sports media will ensure that the Center’s reputation for excellence and innovation extends far beyond our campus. With BJ at the helm, I know Seton Hall’s Center for Sports Media is capable of great things.”
The Center for Sports Media, affiliated with the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, was established to highlight the critical intersection between sports, media, and society. The center was established in 2021 with a $2 million gift from executive founder and ESPN icon Bob Ley ’76, and its mission reflects Ley’s pioneering work in the field of long-standing ESPN show Outside the lineswhich won several Emmys and a Peabody Award during his tenure. The center’s activities provide students with an interdisciplinary foundation of academic training and theory with practical experience in the rapidly evolving sports media industry, while drawing professional and scholarly attention to the industry’s impact on contemporary social life.
“BJ’s remarkable experience, vision and leadership have elevated the Center for Sports Media to new heights,” said Ley ’76. “He is deeply committed to instilling the values and skills needed in the next generation of sports professionals, and that is evident in his many initiatives. Equally important, his insistence on high standards and ambitious goals positions the Center to enrich the student experience now and in the future.”
Schecter brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent decades in the sports media industry, including a distinguished career at Sports illustratedUnder his leadership, the center has continued to grow, hosting high-profile events and providing students with unparalleled opportunities to connect with industry leaders and gain hands-on experience.
Schecter with Bob Picozzi and Doris Burke during their visit in February.
In February, the center hosted an event with ESPNDoris Burke and Bob Picozzi (class of 1972), where the two broadcast legends shared their experiences and insights from over 65 years in the industry. The students had the rare opportunity to learn more about Burke’s journey to becoming a pioneer in sports broadcasting.
In March, the Center welcomed renowned author Jeff Benedict for an exclusive screening of The Dynastyhis best-seller, which was released as a documentary series about the unprecedented success of the New England Patriots. After the screening, Schecter led a question-and-answer session in which Benedict shared his insights into the world of sports journalism and the creation of The Dynasty.
Building on the center’s role as a forum for important discussions, Schecter partnered with the Stillman School of Business in April to host the panel discussion “Pathway or Crisis? Addressing the Most Pressing Issues in College Sports.”
The panel discussion, moderated by Ley, featured prominent figures such as Dana O’Neil, Leonard Marshall and Joe Nocera. The discussion covered important issues in college sports, including NIL, unionization and the ongoing legal challenges facing the NCAA. Charles Grantham, director of the Center for Sports Management, also led a discussion with former Congressman and NBA player Tom McMillen.
On the same day, Schecter moderated a special virtual discussion on sport and mental health with Seth Davis, who was taking a graduate course in sport and exercise psychology. Davis, co-author of I find it difficult to live with myself: A memoryshared his insights into the mental health issues of athletes, drawing on his work with former basketball star Rex Chapman.
Schecter further expanded the center’s reach last summer with the opening of the first Sports Media and Business Academy. In partnership with the Continuing Education and Professional Development department, this pre-med program introduced high school students to the complexities of the sports industry, combining academic instruction with hands-on experience during a week-long course. Schecter hosted 10 industry experts over the five days, including Peter King, John Fanta, Matt Loughlin, Charles Grantham, Len DeLuca, Bob Boland and Devon Corneal.
“Working with students to explore what’s next in the media world is critical for both industry veterans and newcomers,” said Schecter. “We’re building something special and important here at Seton Hall. We combine classroom instruction and scholarship with experiential opportunities. With big change comes big opportunity, and at the Center for Sports Media, we’re just scratching the surface of what we can do and the impact we can make.”
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