There’s footage of 8-year-old Dayne Young presenting a sports update (which naturally followed a review of the weather).

Sports is the topic he, his father, and grandfather discussed, and now he’s assisting others in learning how to do precisely that as program coordinator for both the New Media Institute and the Carmical Sports Media Institute within the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

“I never expected it would lead me to academia,” he remarked. “That’s the aspect I didn’t foresee, but I’m incredibly grateful it did because I gain all the exciting touchpoints without some of the conventional pressures of deadlines and travel.”

Young’s personal fascination with sports ignited at a young age. He cherishes the unity and fellowship it fosters — even when it appears there are no other topics to discuss, sports can often serve as the common link. Therefore, crafting a career in sports media felt like an instinctive trajectory.

Young obtained a bachelor’s degree in digital and broadcast journalism from Grady College in 2011. He subsequently worked at WALB-TV in Albany as a news reporter and at WRBL-TV in Columbus, where he served as sports director.

“Having covered sporting events, when you’re in a situation like that with so much sensory input, you’re continuously compelled to decide which story to convey, because there are countless options,” he explained. “You won’t tell a poor story if you approach it with the correct mindset beforehand.”

Eventually, Young concluded he desired a role with more predictable hours and instructed audio and video production at a high school in Chattahoochee County. After some time there, he and his wife relocated back to Athens, and Young accepted a position at See.Spark.Go. He encountered an opening for a public relations specialist at Grady College and rejoined the University of Georgia in 2018.

Young has been serving in his current capacity since January 2021 and acquired a master’s degree in journalism from Grady College in 2023. His role is distinctive as he splits his time between the New Media Institute and the Carmical Sports Media Institute. These two elements together mirror the needs of current students.

“We are The Sports Media Institute and continually adapt to shifts in the sports media field,” he stated. “Many of the positions our students are attaining and those being developed are on the team side or the communications aspect.”

For instance, Young instructs a course on social media and sports. As part of that class, his students manage social media accounts for local high school sports teams, gaining hands-on experience on the field. He mentors them as they generate content ranging from game-day posts to short videos for Clarke Central High School’s soccer, tennis, and track teams, as well as North Oconee High School’s soccer teams. Young aspires to broaden this to include flag football teams as well.

This practical experience proves to be invaluable for the students.

“Oh, it’s everything,” he noted. “There is nothing we could teach them in a classroom that surpasses the experience of being out there and engaging.”

For the New Media Institute, Young manages most of its external relations. He organizes student field trips to public relations agencies as well as companies like Chick-fil-A, Home Depot, Delta, and others throughout the country. He also initiated Small Talk 101, where New Media Institute students can refine soft skills such as networking with industry experts, who provide constructive feedback.

“There is significantly more overlap than I ever recognized because as media evolves, it’s new media. It’s all communicating the same language, and I believe the New Media Institute excels at anticipating where that’s headed and preparing students for how to navigate it,” he expressed.

Additionally, Young holds the position of chair of the New Media Advisory Council and producer of TEDxUGA, which is scheduled for March 28 at Morton Theatre.

Young values that no two days are identical. He may be gathering equipment for classroom use, attending and leading various meetings, or simply spending time with students. He stated that he finds the most joy in engaging with people.

Outside of his professional life, Young enjoys playing tennis and golf, traveling, and attending concerts. He’s also trying his hand at standup comedy and has created several audition videos for “Survivor.” He devotes as much time as possible to his family, which includes three young daughters.

“I lead a truly exciting life because of what this place has enabled me to pursue, even as an undergraduate. Then to return and be surrounded by that every day, that’s where passion meets appreciation,” he reflected. “For me, this was a portal to the broader world from the state of Georgia. I’ve come to know the world because UGA opened those avenues for me.”

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