Aug. 29, 2024
Three current students and one recent graduate of the Television Production Technology program at Pinellas Technical College St. Petersburg had the experience of a lifetime last Friday night, working the sideline of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason football game.
Justin Cox, a graduate of Pinellas Park High School, Jayden Knapp, a graduate of Palm Harbor University High School, and home school transfer Luke Giargente, were part of the sideline camera crew on the statewide Buccaneers Preseason Network produced by WFLA News Channel 8.
This was Jayden’s second game on the sidelines.
“It’s an amazing thing to have on your resume, especially since I want a career in sports broadcasting,” he said.
Justin admits he was a bit nervous about his first time on the sideline, but soon got into a rhythm.
"Once we got into the game, I got into the flow of the action," Justin said. "It was super fun and almost not like working."
Luke was a home school student but transferred to Pinellas Technical College in the dual enrollment program, specifically to be part of the television production program and have the opportunity to work a Buccaneers game.
Bruce Copeland, who recently celebrated 42 years as Executive Producer/Consultant of the Buccaneers Preseason Network, is the longtime director of the Television Production Technology Program at PTC St. Petersburg.
"Employers look for real life experience and working something as important as an NFL game is very prestigious," Copeland said. "It is because of the relationship between PTC St. Petersburg and News Channel 8 that these students had this opportunity."
In addition to the three current students, PTC alum Nova Pritchard worked the sideline as a parabolic microphone operator. Nova is an intern at a local production company and will soon be working on board the Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas as a production technician.
