MacEwan will begin offering eight new courses starting in the Fall of 2026. Follow along over the next few months as we highlight the unique ways the courses came to be.

In any given Bachelor of Communication Studies course taken by students working on a Journalism Major, Neill Fitzpatrick estimates that about one-third of those students dream of becoming a sports journalist.

Despite the media industry seeing a steady decline in jobs, with mainstream organizations routinely making cuts, there is still a place for sports journalism, especially in a sports-crazed city like Edmonton.

“Fans are increasingly craving the story behind the score,” says Fitzpatrick, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communications. “Rather than just reading about Connor McDavid’s hot night or the Edmonton Elks’ latest signing, there is a strong desire for deeper analysis, richer context, and human-driven features.”

Enter BCSC 399. The new sports journalism course will be offered at MacEwan University beginning in Fall 2026. Taught by Fitzpatrick, the aim is not to create the next Jack Michaels but rather to teach the research, writing and interpersonal skills required to uncover compelling stories.

The idea for the course emerged a few years ago in response to both student and industry demand. Before beginning the formal process of new course development, the Department of Communications agreed to test the waters with a seminar.

Since its first offering in 2024, enrolment in the seminar has remained steady at about a dozen students. Fitzpatrick says it was a beneficial move, one he would recommend to other departments developing new courses, as it helped shape what BCSC 399 would eventually become.

For example, Fitzpatrick notes that in the early seminars, he invited local broadcasting veterans, including longtime sports anchor Tim Spelliscy, to speak with students. While the guests were enthusiastically received, student feedback made something clear: they wanted to hear not only from established voices, but also from the diverse professionals shaping where the industry is headed.

As a result, the new course will feature more women journalists and more racially diverse professionals, reflecting the evolving landscape of sports media and giving students a broader sense of what their own careers could look like.

Students will also gain real-world experience right here on campus. The Department of Communications has long maintained a strong relationship with MacEwan Athletics. Those enrolled in the new course will receive a press pass, granting them access to Griffins players and staff so they can follow the teams and share stories that go beyond the scores.

Fitzpatrick is looking forward to reading those stories and is already considering what other courses could support the changing journalism landscape. He can envision offering a Data Journalism course, potentially in partnership with the Department of Design or the Department of Decision Sciences. A Business Journalism course could involve partnerships with Departments across the Triffo School of Business.

“The key,” Fitzpatrick says, “is not to overreact to changes in the industry, but to think more broadly and strategically.” Advice he would offer to any Department looking to hit a home run with a new course.