Bryce Parker grabs life, internship experience ‘by the horns’ in role as North Dakota rodeo videographer
CHARLESTON, IL (07/23/2026) For Eastern Illinois University journalism major Bryce Parker, a summer internship that began with baseball unexpectedly led to the fast-paced world of professional rodeo broadcasting, providing hands-on experience that reinforced his career aspirations in sports media.
Parker, a 2024 graduate of Minooka Community High School and a senior journalism major with a concentration in sports media relations at EIU, is spending the summer interning with the Bismarck Larks, a Northwoods League baseball team owned by the same owner who owns Funatix Events and runs Mandan Rodeo Days in North Dakota and supplies camera operators for the broadcast.
“When I accepted an internship in the middle of North Dakota, I expected to experience some new things, but filming a professional rodeo wasn’t on my bingo card,” Parker said in a recent LinkedIn post.
Over three nights at Mandan Rodeo Days, Parker operated cameras for professional rodeo broadcasts, which aired nationally on The Cowboy Channel. During the first two nights, he managed a stationary camera tracking riders and animals throughout the arena. On the final night, he transitioned to a wireless camera position, capturing close-up footage from inside the chutes before moving throughout the arena during non-bucking events.
“It was definitely a learning experience,” Parker said. “When you’re that close to the action, you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times. There’s a significant difference between worrying about getting hit by a stray foul ball and making sure you don’t get run over by a 1,200-pound horse,” he joked.
Parker’s passion for sports began early. Raised in an athletic family, he participated in multiple sports as a little kid and baseball was one that he stuck with. “I’ve loved baseball since I was little,” he said. “I love how sports bring people together, and I enjoy the competitiveness and the opportunity for growth both on and off the field and inside and outside the arena.”
At EIU, Parker has built an extensive portfolio through practical experiences covering Panther Athletics. He began as a sports reporter for The Daily Eastern News before serving as the baseball beat reporter and football social media assistant, creating photos and videos from games and practices.
“Those opportunities helped me develop the skills and portfolio that prepared me for internships like this,” Parker said. “EIU has given me the skills and confidence I need to excel, and I’m excited that camera operating for the national broadcast of professional rodeo has become a legitimate addition to my resume and portfolio.”
With plans to graduate from EIU in Spring 2027, Parker’s EIU experiences inside and outside the classroom have given him the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of career options in athletics. Looking ahead, Parker has several options available once he begins his professional career. Most recently, his concentration-shaped by his interests in sports and digital marketing-is to work with an agency that helps collegiate athletes build their personal brands and secure Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.
Eastern Illinois University’s Department of Journalism provides students with opportunities to gain professional experience through campus media, athletic communications, internships and partnerships with industry organizations. By combining classroom instruction with real-world assignments, students graduate with portfolios and practical skills that prepare them for careers across the evolving media landscape. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median salary for journalists is about $60,000 annually. Salaries are dependent on media organization size and location, with high-end, experienced journalists earning more than $150,000 annually.
With a streamlined, no-cost application process and access to admissions counselors, prospective EIU students can quickly move from interest to enrollment while exploring scholarship opportunities and campus resources. Interested students can learn more about EIU’s admissions process at eiu.edu/admissions/apply.
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EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, community-based services and opportunities, visit Eastern Illinois University or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.