Gray Colloquium Speaker Series: A Conversation on Digital Storytelling and Sports Media
January 15, 2026
On January 10, 2026, St. Mark’s students and faculty gathered for the second Gray Colloquium of the 2025–2026 academic year—a conversation with Lyndsey Armacost ’14, video producer at ESPN, and Ryan Sullivan from the Big Ten Network. The discussion focused on careers in digital media and sports storytelling, and on how adaptability and initiative shape success in a rapidly changing industry.
Lyndsey Armacost ’14 shared a defining early-career moment that resonated strongly with students: while working in athletics, she volunteered to take over the management of an Instagram account no one else was running. What began as a small, informal task became a gateway to digital content strategy, social media storytelling, and, eventually, her current role at ESPN. The story underscored a central message of the Colloquium—raising your hand and saying yes can open unexpected doors.
Both speakers described how modern sports organizations now operate like media companies, with dedicated content teams producing daily videos, behind-the-scenes features, and short-form content tailored to specific platforms. Ryan Sullivan emphasized that effective content goes beyond highlights, focusing instead on personality, access, and authentic moments that connect audiences to athletes and teams.
Throughout the conversation, Armacost and Sullivan encouraged students to seek hands-on experience, stay flexible as platforms evolve, and prioritize storytelling over technology alone. Their insights offered a practical and inspiring look at how curiosity, creativity, and initiative can lead to meaningful careers in digital sports media.
Photography by Yan Cai '27