Welcome back to another episode of the SBC Audio Experience! We’re thrilled to feature Zion Atwater, a talented Video Production Intern with the Utah Jazz & Utah Hockey Club, and a rising star in the sports media industry. A proud VSL alum, Zion graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.A. in Media Production and a B.S. in Strategic Communication. This summer, she expanded her expertise by working with HallPass Media at Jalen Brunson’s Charity Golf Tournament, collaborating with fellow VSL alumni to create compelling content. Now with the Utah Jazz, Zion is using her skills to produce engaging content for the team and further her career in sports media.
In this episode, Riley & Zion discuss:
- Her experience working with Coach Prime at CU Athletics and how it shaped her content production skills
- The valuable lessons she learned working behind the scenes at NBA Summer League
- Her current role with the Utah Jazz and how she’s advancing in the field
Zion’s passion for sports media, coupled with her ability to thrive under pressure and think creatively, makes her a standout in the industry. Tune in to hear about her inspiring journey, her tips for building a standout portfolio, and the importance of networking and mentorship in shaping a successful career.
Follow SBC: LinkedIn | Instagram | BlueSky | X | Facebook
WHERE TO LISTEN
Listen to this podcast episode on:
WATCH THIS EPISODE
SHOW NOTES
- Zion discusses her journey as a double major in Media Production and Strategic Communication at the University of Colorado Boulder. (1:40)
- Zion reflects on her mindset and approach when starting college. (2:59)
- Zion shares the biggest challenges she faced during her internship with Coach Prime and CU Athletics. (4:55)
- How working with CU Football allowed Zion to unleash her creativity and produce impactful content. (9:35)
- Zion explained the process of building trust with players during her time at CU Athletics. (12:35)
- Zion highlights a project that she found particularly fulfilling and is most proud of. (16:45)
- Zion discusses finding the balance between striving for improvement and avoiding burnout. (21:40)
- Zion talks about her experience as a VSL alumni, capturing content and contributing to the storytelling efforts of the NBA Summer League. (25:20)
- Zion shares the most valuable lesson she learned during her time at Summer League. (29:45)
- Zion reflects on her role as a mentor at Summer League, helping guide her team and keeping everyone on the same page behind the scenes. (32:30)
- Zion discusses transitioning from Summer League to covering Jalen Brunson’s Charity Golf Tournament in New York, sharing her experience in capturing and producing event content. (36:45)
- Zion provides insight into her current role with the Utah Jazz and what her responsibilities entail. (41:50)
- Zion outlines her future goals and how she plans to leverage her current role with the Utah Jazz to land her dream job. (46:20)
