PROJECT OVERVIEW

During my Television Academy Foundation apprenticeship, I supported creative production, research, and live event operations for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota.

Working with the events team under Cindy Mori, Vice President of Events, I contributed to multiple production workstreams, including Opening Ceremonies, the ESPN Unified Sports Challenge, and Radio Camp. My responsibilities ranged from developing talent briefing materials and event graphics to coordinating production logistics and supporting live-event execution.

ROLE
Television Academy Foundation Apprentice

LOCATION
Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota

EVENT
2026 Special Olympics USA Games

DISCIPLINES
Creative Production, Research, Event Operations

01 — SCOPE OF WORK

Opening Ceremonies — Talent coordination and backstage operations
ESPN Unified Sports Challenge — Creative assets, research, and production support
Radio Camp — Talent itineraries and coordination
Production Design & Briefing Materials — Executive reference cards, athlete graphics, and related deliverables

02 — Creative Production & Deliverables

As part of the ESPN Unified Sports Challenge, I developed a series of 16 talent reference graphics for Matt Iseman and the production team. Each graphic combined photography, identifying information, and key talking points into a consistent visual format designed to support event commentary and production preparation.

**ESPN Unified Sports Challenge — Talent Reference Graphics**
Selected talent reference card and Photoshop production overview from a 16-graphic series.

**ESPN Unified Sports Challenge** — Executive talent briefings for VIP hospitality and stakeholder engagement.

03 — LIVE EVENT PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS

OPENING CEREMONIES | JUNE 20, 2026

During the Opening Ceremonies at Huntington Bank Stadium, I supported backstage operations, talent coordination, and production logistics. Working across backstage holding areas, dressing rooms, and field-level access points, I assisted with talent movements, communicated with production personnel, and helped support the execution of the live event.

**2026 Special Olympics USA Games** — Opening Ceremonies Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Image source: 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

**Opening Ceremonies** — Backstage production, June 20, 2026.

Opening Ceremonies — Backstage Operations

During the Opening Ceremonies at Huntington Bank Stadium, I supported backstage operations, talent coordination, and field-level production logistics. Working across talent holding areas, dressing rooms, and stage access points, I assisted with talent movements, communicated with production personnel via radio, and helped guide performers and their teams through the live event environment.

ESPN UNIFIED SPORTS CHALLENGE — LIVE PRODUCTION

JUNE 22, 2026 · ALLIANZ FIELD

During the ESPN Unified Sports Challenge at Allianz Field, I supported live production operations in the control room, reviewing and approving more than 300 images through CueLive under live-event timing constraints. This work required close attention to visual accuracy, rapid decision-making, and coordination with the production team to ensure approved content was ready for presentation during the event.

**ESPN Unified Sports Challenge** — CueLive-approved imagery displayed on the Allianz Field Jumbotron, June 22, 2026.

TRIVIA CONTENT & JUMBOTRON GRAPHICS

I researched and developed 17 trivia questions for the ESPN Unified Sports Challenge, translating athlete and celebrity research into engaging content for the live audience. The finished trivia graphics were displayed on the Allianz Field Jumbotron during the event.

**ESPN Unified Sports Challenge** — Original trivia graphics displayed on the Allianz Field Jumbotron, June 22, 2026.

**ESPN Unified Sports Challenge** — Trivia question and answer graphics created for and displayed on the Allianz Field jumbotron.

**ESPN Unified Sports Challenge** — Photoshop production workspace showing a selection of trivia question-and-answer graphics prepared for the live event.

RADIO CAMP — TALENT COORDINATION & EVENT LOGISTICS

June 24, 2026 | Huntington Bank Stadium | Minneapolis, Minnesota

As the lead Television Academy Foundation apprentice assigned to Radio Camp during the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, I supported talent coordination, scheduling, and participant communications for a hands-on journalism experience presented in partnership with Minnesota Public Radio (MPR).

The program brought student reporters together with athletes, community leaders, and special guests to conduct interviews and develop stories highlighting inclusion, achievement, and the impact of the Special Olympics movement.

Cindy Mori speaks with Radio Camp participants about journalism and storytelling during the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, June 24, 2026. Photograph by Tarelle Butts.

THE PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE

Radio Camp gave student reporters the opportunity to practice interviewing, audio recording, and storytelling in a live event environment. Participants engaged directly with interview guests, gaining hands-on journalism experience while exploring the personal stories behind the Games.

**Left:** A Radio Camp participant interviews Carrie Tollefson during the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. **Right:** Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) team members and Radio Camp participants gather for a group photograph. Images courtesy of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR).

PARTICIPANT COMMUNICATIONS & EVENT LOGISTICS

I designed a participant-facing itinerary that consolidated essential event information into a single document, including the day's schedule, arrival and check-in procedures, interview locations, venue photographs, and logistical contacts.

The document was created for distribution to Radio Camp participants, providing a clear reference to help them navigate the venue and understand the day's activities.

PARTICIPANT COMMUNICATIONS & EVENT LOGISTICS

The document was created for distribution to Radio Camp participants, providing a clear reference to help them navigate the venue and understand the day's activities.

TALENT COORDINATION

In addition to developing participant communications, I supported the coordination of interview guests and event logistics. My responsibilities included preparing talent schedules, organizing logistical information, and helping facilitate guest movement throughout their Radio Camp commitments.

Working in a live event environment required attention to detail, clear communication, and adaptability to changing production needs while keeping the participant experience at the center of the event.