For the first time in College Football Playoff history, 12 teams competed for the national championship this season. The playoffs began in December with a notable matchup between Indiana University (IU) and Notre Dame in South Bend.
IU made its playoff debut since the format's inception ten years ago. Students from IU’s Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses were present to cover this historic event.
Zion Brown, a senior at IU Bloomington, expressed his excitement about covering the game: “I was really excited,” he said. “I’ve been calling football for WIUX since my freshman year... So finding out that I was going to be able to go to the College Football Playoff game and call it at Notre Dame was a surreal feeling.”
The student journalists had unique experiences, such as encountering Mark Cuban during halftime. Joe Cronin, a junior involved with IUSTV, shared his perspective: “For that game in particular, it was probably one if not the coolest atmospheres I have ever seen in sports.”
Despite IU's loss, Kelsey Dennehy of IUSTV praised the students' efforts: “It was so much fun...and get that real-world experience covering a playoff game,” she said.
Galen Clavio from IU Bloomington highlighted the importance of these opportunities: “We try to get our students...opportunities like this and I hope we’ll be able to continue to do it in the future with this sport.”
Graduate students from IU Indianapolis covered games beyond South Bend, including the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl. Malcolm Moran noted their extensive coverage: “Every year...we’ve had students at nearly every championship game.”
Cort Street reflected on covering every round of the 12-team playoff: “I knew coming into the program that we would be given opportunities...was a dream come true.” Chris Schumerth added how memorable these experiences are: “This is a moment in history that three years from now...they’ll be looking back at.”
After an unexpected incident on Bourbon Street delayed their plans before the Sugar Bowl, Moran commented on their adaptability: "Chris’ postcard really helped people get a sense of what it was like..."
Jeffery Green Jr., who continued coverage at subsequent games, described his experience alongside professionals as inspiring.
Their work will culminate at the National Championship game in Atlanta. Reflecting on these events, Street stated: "This program has given me the opportunity to be a part of this monumental piece of college football history."
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