CBS Sports Talent Recruiter Speaks at Belmont

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Breaking down the door into the media industry requires a lot of hustle and perseverance in the eyes of CBS Sports talent recruiter Joel Cox. 

Cox shared his journey along with advice about being a versatile storyteller and how to step foot in the industry to students during a seminar that took place Wednesday in the Johnson Center.

His intention was to be a journalist for Sports Illustrated, however, he never went through with a journalism program, instead opting for an English communications major at the University of Kansas.

After he graduated, he started to cover sports on his own website that gained popularity during the rise of the internet. His website was acquired by a company named Scout.com, which was later absorbed by Fox.

In his current role, he monitors talent and recruits potential sports personalities to work for CBS Sports.

Later in the seminar, he acknowledged how difficult it can be for students and young professionals to get a foot in the industry, but he also gave a word of advice for those in need.

“It’s difficult to get in, and so you have to really find a way to break down the door, and I mean that,” Cox said. “You have to find a way, any way you get in, I don’t care if your mom knows somebody that gets you in and gets an interview. I don’t care if it’s through emails or cold calling, any way you get in is the right way.”

He emphasized the importance of hard work and versatility for students entering the industry.

“The key to this business going forward is you need to be a decathlete,” Cox said. “You need to be able to do it all. You don't have to be great at everything, but you need to do it all.” 

He told the audience that people care more about personalities than box scores. As an example, he talked about not understanding the appeal of NASCAR until he began focusing on the drivers.

“It’s not about the cars, it’s about the people in the cars,” Cox said. “That, to me, is the soul of good storytelling.”

 Ted Peetz, co-chair and professor of sport administration, heard the advice Cox gave to students and reiterated the importance of perseverance. 

“When you hear from an expert like Joel Cox, it allows students to prototype what it would look like to be in that position,” Peetz said. “It's extremely valuable to hear from people in the field and to gain their perspective of how they approach it.” 

The seminar was helpful not just for aspiring journalists or sport administration students, but for anyone preparing to start their career, said senior Charlie Peterson.

“I think all the points he made, it's kind of universal with any industry,” he said.

Cox finished the seminar encouraging persistence from students looking to break into the industry.

“I will never begrudge anybody for continuing to drive me nuts with follow ups, because that's what I'm trying to hire,” Cox said. “Let me say no to you. Don't make that decision for me.”

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This article was written by Reece Leddy