As a Senior Communications and Digital Media major with a minor in Sport Management, I have always been captivated by the inner workings of sports media, the chaos, the strategy, and the stories waiting to be uncovered.
On Tuesday, December 9th, I had the incredible opportunity to shadow Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia at the Xfinity Mobile Arena during the Flyers’ game against the Sharks.
My connection with Jordan began in my sophomore year, when I interviewed him for my sports journalism class podcast, The Sports Media Playbook, which earned an Honorable Mention in Spring 2025 for The Catholic Media Association Conference.
Reaching out to him again for this shadowing opportunity, I was met with immediate excitement and support, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.
I arrived at the arena at 4:30 p.m., parking in Lot F, and entered through the 11th Street entrance.
Ascending to the top level by the suites in the Press Boxes Balcony, I set up my laptop, taking in the panoramic view of the arena below. Writers from multiple news outlets surrounded me, laptops open and fingers poised, while to my left, game statistic recorders thoroughly tracked every pass, shot, and save.
The air was charged with anticipation of a quiet energy that promised the storm of action that had yet to come.
Before the public even arrived, I wandered the lower levels, exploring the backstage world of hockey.
I passed the locker rooms, caught glimpses of the Zambonis smoothing the ice, and watched staff shuffle equipment with precision and urgency.
Meeting the head of the Flyers PR team and several associates, I gained insight into the arrangement required to make a professional game run seamlessly.
The ice itself was breathtaking, a pristine, glimmering canvas reflecting the bright arena lights, waiting for the clash of skates and sticks.
By 5:30 p.m., fans began pouring into the arena, lining the boards in hopes of snagging a puck or a glimpse of their favorite player.
In the press box we immersed ourselves in notetaking, observing pre-game interviews, and absorbing the electric atmosphere.
Warm-ups began at 6:30, both teams storming the ice with intensity and focus, while we recorded the lines and goalies for the night.
The press box buzzed with activity: the rhythmic clatter of keyboards mixing with hushed conversations about predictions, angles, and story ideas.
As warm-ups concluded, fans settled into their seats, the Zambonis took one final lap, and the puck dropped on the dot at 7:00 p.m.
Fingers hovered over keyboards, ready to capture every moment from the goals, the saves, the unexpected drama.
Between periods, the staff lounge became a hub of interaction, with people from various departments socializing while refueling for the next round of coverage.
After the final period, a crowd of 20-25 reporters squeezed into the elevator, descending to the locker room level.
Players carefully put away their gear while the head of PR announced which athletes would be available for interviews.
Cameras and recorders were positioned close, capturing every word and expression. Christian Dvorak, Travis Konecny, Carl Grundstrom, Ty Murchison, Dan Vladar, and Trevor Zegras answered questions for three to four minutes each, sharing insights and reflections with professionalism and patience.
Next, we moved to the press conference room.
Fifteen seats awaited reporters as Rick Tocchet emerged from the locker room to the podium. For six to eight minutes, he offered perspective on the game, the team, and the players’ performance.
Back in the press box, laptops clicked furiously as reporters compiled notes, shaping the first official quotes and stories of the night.
As the shadowing experience concluded, I was left in awe of the complexity and energy of the world I had just observed.
The precision, the pace, and the passion of sports media were on full display.
Among the many tips and advice Jordan Hall shared, one stuck with me long after the night ended.
“Find the story behind the story,” said Hall.
Every action on the ice, every sideline conversation, every pre- and post-game detail told a larger narrative, one that I am now even more eager to explore in my own career.
I am forever grateful to NBC Sports Philadelphia for this incredible opportunity.
The evening exceeded a simple Flyers game; it became a vivid lesson in sports journalism, alive with excitement, expertise, and motivation. I left the arena with a deeper understanding of what happens behind the scenes, and a clearer vision of how this could become a career path for me after graduation.
