Broadcast News Student Selected as Finalist for ESPN Anchor Reality Show

Columbia, Mo. (Feb. 24, 2004) -- Broadcast news senior Mike Hall has been selected as one of 12 finalists to star on ESPN's reality show "Dream Job."

Mike Hall

Hall, of Glen Ellyn, Ill., was chosen from more than 10,000 contestants who competed through three rounds of preliminary auditions that were held in 29 cities. ESPN experts evaluated the auditions, critiquing the candidates' work in writing, sports knowledge and overall presence.

Hall faces other finalists in sideline reporting, one-on-one interviews, play-by-play and anchoring. A panel of judges will vote off one of the finalists every Sunday night. Viewers also will have an opportunity to vote through ESPN.com or Verizon Wireless text messaging. The last finalist remaining will sign a one-year contract as ESPN's news anchor. Hall survived the first round of competition on Feb. 22, when another novice sportscaster was voted off the program. The final episode will air March 28.

Broadcast news students at Missouri get hands-on experience while working at KOMU, an NBC-affiliate and the only commercial television station in the United States that uses its newsroom as a working lab for students, and in the newsroom of KBIA-FM, a 100,000-watt National Public Radio member station.