Two Students Selected for Sports Journalism Institute’s 34th Class

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Feb. 12, 2026) — North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University continues its strong presence in the Sports Journalism Institute (SJI) as junior multimedia journalism student Xavier Burton and journalism alumna Reiven Douglas have been selected for the program’s 34th class, joining 14 students from across the nation.

Their selection adds to the legacy of North Carolina A&T’s Journalism and Mass Communication Department (JOMC) students at the Sports Journalism Institute. Six other “Crosby Kids” have been chosen in recent years: Jarod Hamilton (2021), Alexis Davis (2022), Jordan Davis (2023), Kamryn Jackson (2024), Caulin Avery and Ashton Griffith (2025).

Established in 1992, SJI provides a nine-week training and internship program for college students pursuing careers in sports journalism, introducing them to sports reporting and editing while supporting increased racial and gender diversity. The program also strengthens reporting, writing, and multimedia storytelling skills, preparing students for careers in sports journalism.

Burton and Douglas will take part in paid summer internships, gaining hands-on experience and mentorship from leading journalists.

Burton, a South Carolina native and president of A&T’s Student Chapter of Associated Press Sports Editors, will intern at the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Douglas, a Raleigh, North Carolina, native will intern at ESPN. She is member of Aggie News who earned her B.A. in 2024 and is pursuing her MBA at A&T.

“This is a great professional and experiential learning opportunity for our students,” said Masudul Biswas, Ph.D., JOMC chair. “Programs like SJI provide invaluable hands-on training and national exposure, equipping our students with the skills, confidence and industry connections necessary to thrive in competitive sports media environments.”

Upon successful completion of the program, Burton and Douglas will each receive a $500 scholarship to support their continued professional development and preparation for the upcoming academic year.