Schecter Named Executive Director of Seton Hall’s Center for Sports Media

After serving as the interim executive director of Seton Hall’s Center for Sports Media since January, B.J. Schecter has officially been appointed Executive Director of the CSM.

"We are thrilled to officially welcome B.J. Schecter as executive director of the Center for Sports Media," said Bryan Crable, Ph.D., dean of the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. "In a few short months, he has charted an ambitious future for the Center and created new pathways and possibilities for the students in our College. His expertise, passion, and vision for the future of sports media will ensure that the Center’s reputation for excellence and innovation spreads far beyond our campus. With B.J. at the helm, I know that Seton Hall’s Center for Sports Media is poised for greatness."

The Center for Sports Media, which resides in the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, was created to highlight the critical intersection of sports, media and society. Established in 2021 with a gift of $2 million from executive founder and ESPN icon Bob Ley ’76, the Center’s mission reflects Ley’s pioneering work on the long-running ESPN show Outside the Lines, which won multiple Emmys and a Peabody Award during his tenure. The Center’s activities provide students with an interdisciplinary foundation for academic training and theory with practical experience in the rapidly evolving sports media industry, while also drawing professional and scholarly attention to the industry’s impact on contemporary social life.

"B.J.’s remarkable experience, vision and leadership has elevated the Center for Sports Media," said Ley ’76. "He is fiercely dedicated to providing the next generation of sports professionals the values and skills needed, and that’s evident in his many initiatives. Just as important, his insistence on high standards and aggressive goals positions the Center to enrich student experiences now and into the future."

Schecter brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent decades in the sports media industry, including a distinguished career at Sports Illustrated. Under his guidance, the Center has continued to grow, hosting high-profile events and providing students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with industry leaders and gain hands-on experience.

In February, the Center put on an event featuring ESPN’s Doris Burke and Bob Picozzi ’72, during which the broadcasting legends shared their experiences and insights from over 65 years in the industry. Students had the rare opportunity to learn about Burke’s journey to becoming a trailblazer in sports broadcasting.
In March, the Center welcomed renowned author Jeff Benedict for an exclusive screening of The Dynasty, his bestselling book-turned-docuseries about the New England Patriots' unprecedented success. Following the screening, Schecter led a Q&A session where Benedict shared his insights into the world of sports journalism and the creation of The Dynasty.

Building on the Center’s role as a venue for important discussions, Schecter collaborated with the Stillman School of Business in April to host the panel discussion "Crossroads or Crisis? Tackling the most pressing issues in college sports."

Moderated by Ley, the panel featured prominent figures such as Dana O’Neil, Leonard Marshall and Joe Nocera. The discussion addressed key issues facing college sports, including NIL, unionization, and the ongoing legal challenges confronting the NCAA. Center for Sports Management director Charles Grantham also led a discussion with former Congressman and NBA player Tom McMillen.

That same day, Schecter moderated a special virtual discussion on sports and mental health with Seth Davis, who joined a graduate class in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise. Davis, co-author of It’s Hard for Me to Live with Me: A Memoir, shared his insights into the mental health challenges faced by athletes, drawing on his work with former basketball star Rex Chapman.

Schecter continued to expand the Center’s reach with the launch of the first Sports Media and Business Academy this past summer. In partnership with the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Development, this pre-college program introduced high school students to the complexities of the sports industry, blending academic instruction with hands-on experiences during a week-long course. Schecter brought in 10 industry experts in the five days, including Peter King, John Fanta, Matt Loughlin, Charles Grantham, Len DeLuca, Bob Boland and Devon Corneal.

"Working with students to figure out what’s next in the media world is essential for veterans in the industry and newcomers alike," said Schecter. "We’re building something special and important here at Seton Hall. We’re combining classroom learnings and scholarship with experiential opportunities. With great change comes great opportunities, and at the Center for Sports Media we’re just scratching the surface of what we can do and the impact we can make."

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