Sports columnist, author Christine Brennan headlining Oppenheimer Symposium
March 20, 2025
MOSCOW, Idaho 鈥� USA Today sports columnist will deliver the keynote address at the 13th Oppenheimer Ethics Symposium at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in the Bruce M. Pitman Center Vandal Ballroom in Moscow.
This year鈥檚 event, hosted by 69萝莉app鈥檚 School of Journalism and Mass Media聽(JAMM) within the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences聽(CLASS), will explore the growing prominence of women鈥檚 sports and how the media are responding to increased demand for coverage.
Brennan, one of the nation鈥檚 most respected sports journalists, is the author of the forthcoming book 鈥�,鈥� set for release in July. In her more than four decades of reporting experience, Brennan has covered the past 18 Olympic Games, was honored by the NCAA and the Women鈥檚 Sports Foundation during the Title IX 40th anniversary celebrations in 2012 and has served as a commentator for ABC News, PBS NewsHour and National Public Radio.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 symposium addresses a timely topic 鈥� the disparities in media coverage of women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 sports,鈥� said Arthur 鈥淪kip鈥� Oppenheimer, who financially supports the symposium with his brother, Doug. 鈥淲omen鈥檚 sports at all levels are attracting larger audiences and media coverage needs to follow.鈥�
Earlier that day, Brennan will participate in a panel discussion on women鈥檚 sports media during the Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium, scheduled from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on the first floor of the U of I Library.
The panel will be moderated by Don Shelton, JAMM adjunct professor and former executive editor at The Seattle Times. In addition to Brennan, the panel also includes 鈥�17, director of channel content for the San Francisco 49ers, and , assistant professor of practice in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University.
During her time on campus, Brennan will visit several classrooms and meet with student-athletes to discuss her career path and insights on breaking into sports journalism. She will also explore ethical issues in sports media coverage, the growing public interest in women鈥檚 sports and how media organizations are adapting to meet the demand.
鈥淭he Oppenheimer Symposium is truly a signature event on our campus, and we are incredibly grateful to host it,鈥� CLASS Dean Sean Quinlan said. 鈥淐hristine Brennan is a major figure in sports writing today, and our students and community will benefit greatly from her expertise and experience. This event will really illuminate the changing world of women鈥檚 sports and its larger reverberation in U.S. society.鈥�
Since its inception in 2011, the Oppenheimer Ethics Symposium has brought nationally recognized journalists and media professionals to U of I to discuss pressing ethical issues in journalism. The symposium鈥檚 goal is to promote professional responsibility and ethical behavior by journalists and other media professionals.
69萝莉app uidaho.edu/class/calendar for event details.
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Media Contact:
Caitlin Cieslik-Miskimen鈥�
Assistant Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Media鈥�
208-885-8872鈥�
caitlinc@uidaho.edu
About the 69萝莉app
The 69萝莉app, home of the Vandals, is Idaho鈥檚 land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d鈥橝lene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.