About, Mission, & Vision
IMN is a youth-led initiative that combines sports, media, and entertainment to educate & inspire young people.
IMN gives middle school, high school, and college students the chance to build confidence, gain employability skills, and explore careers in journalism, broadcasting, marketing, entertainment, and sports management.
Our mission is to change the lives of young people—especially those who are disadvantaged or disengaged—through the power of sports media. Students develop self-belief, practical skills, and a vision for their future, while telling stories through their own lens.
Our Vision:
IMN envisions a future where youth voices lead the way in media, sports, and community development. Participants will learn to tell the history of sports through their eyes, while also covering broader subjects like health, entertainment, and community issues, creating authentic reporting and new opportunities.
Through journalism, marketing, and broadcasting experiences, IMN prepares students for the 21st-century workforce by cultivating critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills.
Program Description
IMN provides an interactive, real-world approach to teaching reading, writing, communication, and digital literacy.
Students take on the role of sports correspondents and media professionals, gaining hands-on experience in how the media and sports industries work. Guided by college mentors, teachers, and industry leaders, students:
- Report on their school sports teams, creating game recaps, athlete features, and season highlights.
- Write about other subjects important to peers—such as music, entertainment, health, and community issues.
- Cover live racing and sports events as credentialed youth journalists.
- Develop skills in interviewing, photography, broadcast reporting, video editing, and web publishing.
- Operate in media teams that function like small businesses—handling writing, editing, production, marketing, and sponsorships.
- Learn entrepreneurship by building real-world media products such as magazines, online platforms, podcasts, and television segments.
Ultimate Goal
The ultimate goal of IMN is to create student-run media companies in schools and communities nationwide.
Program Tiers
Tier 1
IMN Sport
The entry-level tier introduces students to the basics of storytelling through sports. With guidance from Athlete Mentors and journalists, students build life skills, teamwork, and self-confidence while learning to report on local and school sporting events. They practice game summaries, athlete interviews, and short opinion pieces that strengthen writing and communication skills.
Tier 2
IMN Studios (Media Network)
Students step behind the scenes of media production. They collaborate with professional broadcasters, photographers, and industry experts to create news reports, podcasts, and digital content. This tier emphasizes technical skills—photography, video editing, sound production, and on-air presence—while teaching students to critically evaluate media and develop their own authentic voices.
Tier 3
IMN Careers Lab
In this tier, students participate in interactive workshops and field experiences that expose them to careers in sports and media. They explore areas like sports medicine, sports marketing, journalism, broadcasting, engineering, photography, design, and public relations. Career mentors provide hands-on training and guidance, and students begin building professional portfolios of their work.
Tier 4
IMN Starting Out
Students transition into real-world opportunities such as internships, shadowing, and part-time work with media companies, sports franchises, or marketing firms. They take on leadership roles in their IMN Media Teams, mirroring the structure of professional firms with editors, marketing directors, and producers. This tier emphasizes accountability, leadership, and networking with industry professionals.
Tier 5
IMN Scholarships
Scholarships and financial support are available for students who excel in the program and wish to pursue higher education in fields such as journalism, broadcasting, marketing, or sports management. Paired with ongoing mentorship, scholarships help ensure students can continue their education and launch careers in the industries they’ve explored through IMN.
Teacher Training
IMN Press Educators are Prepared to Serve As Facilitators
IMN provides training and professional development for teachers to help them integrate media literacy and journalism into their classrooms. Teachers receive:
- Workshops on media education and hands-on training.
- Curriculum guides aligned with academic standards.
- Mentorship from industry professionals.
- Resources to support student media teams.
FAQs
- Application Process: Students apply through participating schools or youth organizations.
- Open Access: IMN is open to middle and high school students; college students may serve as mentors.
- Selection Criteria: Interest in media, writing, or sports; willingness to commit to workshops and team meetings.
- Notification: Students are informed by school counselors or program leaders and begin with an initial 40-hour training.
- Journalism Skills – reporting, interviewing, editing, storytelling.
- Media Production – photography, broadcasting, podcasting, design.
- Digital Tools – web writing, social media, multimedia content creation.
- Business & Marketing – sponsorship, advertising, entrepreneurship.
- Life Skills – leadership, teamwork, accountability, communication.
- Sports Knowledge – covering school teams, community events, and motorsports.
- Training & Workshops: A 12-week initial training followed by monthly workshops led by industry professionals.
- Team Formation: Students create IMN Media Teams with roles like editor, reporter, and marketing director.
- Media Production: Students publish magazines, podcasts, broadcasts, and cover real events with credentials.
- Mentorship & Exposure: Networking with professionals, tours of colleges and media companies, and event coverage.
- Evaluation & Showcase: Professional critiques and an annual Award Presentation celebrating student work.
- Academic Achievement – Stronger writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills.
- College Readiness – Guidance on applications, scholarships, and exposure to top programs.
- Real-World Experience – Credentials, event access, and publication of their work.
- Mentorship – Industry professionals provide guidance and coaching.
- Networking – Build professional contacts and relationships in media, motorsports, and education.
- Career Development – Exposure to a range of fields behind the scenes in sports, entertainment, and journalism.
- Provide disadvantaged students with a voice and new career pathways.
- Build IMN Media Teams nationwide as in-school and after-school programs.
- Integrate IMN into academic curricula to strengthen literacy and engagement.
- Create a national youth sports media network, led by youth voices.
- Foster strong mentorships between students, teachers, college leaders, and industry professionals.
- Promote diversity and inclusion across journalism, sports, and motorsports.
- Help teachers use digital media as a tool for classroom learning.
- Highlight and nurture new talent in journalism, broadcasting, and entertainment.
Partner With IMN Press
Help us elevate youth voices and prepare the next generation of storytellers, creators, and media leaders.