Winning for Fans

Manship Students Shine at 2024 Paris Olympics

LSU Manship School of Mass Communication students were onsite at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they immersed themselves in global media coverage covering one of the world’s largest sporting events. Ben Hagen and Marileah Niddrie, recipients of the Luke S. Bashore Traveling Scholar Award, were among the 25 students whose transformative experience was made possible through scholarships.

The group, composed of both undergraduate and graduate students, participated in the Olympics Project, a 3-credit-hour course led by Dean Kim Bissell. The course blended virtual learning with hands-on reporting at the Olympics, immersing students in French culture and the unifying power of sports.

Bissell, who has directed 12 study abroad programs, designed the course to be a transformative, cultural immersion experience. Drawing from her years of experience directing study abroad programs, Bissell emphasized to her students the power of sports to unite cultures and inspire personal growth.

The students traveled to Marseille, Lyon, and Paris, attending Olympic events and producing multimedia content across platforms, including written, visual, and digital storytelling.

Hagen, a junior political communications major who directed a documentary and built a multimedia website featuring the group’s work, reflected on the experience: “[This] scholarship allowed us to do what we love on a global scale … This shaped my future in ways I never thought possible.”

Niddrie, a graduate student whose own multimedia work captured key Olympic moments, echoed similar sentiments, “Within the program, I was able to not only connect with the other students and faculty on the team, but I was able to connect with athletes and other members of the sports atmosphere to bring the best content back to everyone. Being able to foster relationships in the sports world is so important, whether it be between fan and team or internally. I will be able to use what I learned.”

Thanks to the generosity from donors, the students were able to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, witnessing the camaraderie and excitement of the Olympic Games while also producing high-quality content. They collaborated across platforms such as photojournalism, podcasts, and video to document the historic event.

“Going abroad opened my eyes that, no matter where you are, you are always learning something new and making new connections. This trip was so special because it was the Olympics. Being able to travel to France to see people from all over the world come together to watch the games was something special,” Niddrie said.

For some, the experience has already opened new doors. Following the Olympics, Dean Bissell connected Hagen, a native of Houma, La., with the College of the Coast & Environment to pursue documentary work focusing on the environmental challenges facing coastal communities in Louisiana. “This connection has allowed me to blend my passion for storytelling with my desire to raise awareness about important issues at home,” he said.

“Being able to receive funding helped enhance my experience by providing me a way to make the most out of the trip,” Niddrie shared. “Being able to use the funding for experiences that I might not have done without was truly a blessing. I couldn't be more thankful.”