Katherine Walden, assistant teaching professor of American studies and co-director of the sport, media, and culture minor (SMAC), describes SMAC as a program born at the intersection of three areas: American studies; film, television, and theatre (FTT); and journalism. Born in the fall of 2021, this 14–15 credit minor offers a unique blend of broadcasting and storytelling.
SMAC courses emphasize intersectionality. A special aspect of the minor is that faculty members represent dozens of different academic disciplines at Notre Dame. Walden highlights the excitement of figuring out connections between disciplines and asking profound questions about these subjects’ application to SMAC.
Especially considering the University’s strong football presence, Notre Dame is a good place to examine the phenomenon of “sport” in sport, media, and culture. In particular, the global and international dimensions of sport, in every instance from the Winter Olympics to the World Baseball Classic, challenge students to look at the bigger picture of how physical movement and image are intertwined around the world.
While students can explore organized and elite sport through the SMAC minor, they also navigate athleticism through physical fitness and recreational activities. Courses such as Recess Matters, taught by Professor Andrea Christensen, draw on theories of play and educational psychology, showcasing sport as a wider realm than we typically imagine it to be.
In terms of analyzing sports through media and digital tools, Walden says that SMAC courses emphasize changes in history to see how stories are crafted and audiences understand narratives. “We’re understanding what sport would look like without media. A lot of this happens with commentary, watching, and sharing. 40 years ago, being a sports fan was about watching games live. Now it’s fantasy leagues and highlight reels, which are made possible through media, platforms, and screens,” she says.
Ashley Barton '26 says the SMAC minor has allowed her to explore her passion for sports while simultaneously expanding her holistic education and making her a more well-rounded student. “Taking classes like The Business of Sports Media and Football in America deepened my appreciation for the meaningful influence that sports have in our lives," says Barton. “I have met so many great students who share similar but also very different interests, which has been super cool!”
Walden explains that solely focusing on the United States wouldn't encompass the interests of the global Notre Dame student body, so the courses aim to bring the international dimensions of sport to the forefront of the discussion. She says that in the future, the department wants to increase the reach of global sport even further in SMAC classes, while continuing to show international students on campus that SMAC is a place for them.
SMAC isn’t just about what’s going on inside the classroom, either. The minor organizes volunteer opportunities, offers guidance for internship opportunities, and hosts campus-wide events. Recent events have included a SMAC Talk with Dr. Brian Hainline, chief medical officer for the U.S. Tennis Association and the NCAA, as well as an open panel discussion on gender and queer representation in sports and media.
Another senior with a SMAC minor, Yuliana Beda '26 emphasizes that the minor has helped point her to the wide range of careers within the sports media industry, which transform her interests into genuine opportunities within that space. “The professors are amazing, passionate, knowledgeable, and [are] always pushing us to think critically about the evolving world of sports media," she says. "I’ve also really enjoyed hearing from guest speakers across different areas of the industry, as they’ve given me valuable insight into the many paths you can take within sports media."
Walden explains that there’s always a way to learn more and find answers to big questions posed in Notre Dame classes. Even if you aren’t able to commit to the minor, there are still ways to think through how various disciplines provide an outlet for discussions about culture, identity, and power. From taking an introductory level cultural studies class to conducting a creative project on sport, expanding that creative thinking serves as a fulfilling, meaningful practice.
Ultimately, SMAC fits into a Notre Dame education with its focus on the common good—through teaching others how to communicate with those who are different from them, providing a discussion space for talks about human flourishing, and exploring humans' fundamental rights to play and movement. As SMAC faculty and students constantly say when speaking about their studies, “It’s more than just a game.”
Interested in learning more?
- Follow along on Instagram @smacatnd.
- Watch this video on The Minor in Sport, Media, and Culture.
- SMAC faculty and staff are also available for discussion, so prospective students are welcome to reach out before applying!
Originally published by at admissions.nd.edu on May 18, 2026.