Bob Thompson, '80, in the studio. Photo: Hal Stoelzle, Rocky Mountain News, 2004

Bob Thompson, ‘80, president of Fox Sports Networks, is helping to bring the School of Journalism and Communication’s electronic media program fully into the digital age. Inspired by the opportunity to have his gift matched by a recent McCoy Foundation Challenge Grant, Thompson has pledged $50,000 to create The Robert L. Thompson Digital Conversion Initiative. Together, Thompson and the McCoy Foundation will equip the Chambers Electronic Media Center with the most advanced technology possible.

The first McCoy Challenge Grant in 1999, initiated by Arthur McCoy and his late wife, Virginia Green McCoy, spurred funding of the lobby atrium at the south entrance to Allen Hall. According to Craig McCoy, McCoy Foundation trustee and past president of McCoy Broadcasting Co., the goal of the most recent McCoy Challenge Grant is to provide the school with the ability to complete the conversion of all of its broadcasting equipment to digital format. Thompson says he shares the Foundation’s goal of providing students with equipment currently being used in the industry. He sees his Digital Conversion Initiative, in conjunction with the McCoy Challenge, as a way to assure a significant upgrade.

“It was very rewarding to see Bob Thompson respond to the challenge the way he did,” says McCoy. “Obviously, he shares our desire to see the SOJC provide the best possible learning experience for students.”

Currently, electronic media students working in the CEMC shoot in digital but convert footage to analog for playback in the studio, which results in a loss of quality. The upgrade will create an all-digital environment and more accurately reflect the standards students will encounter in the profession.

“We’ve always taught our students to tell stories and cover news, no matter what tools they need to use. We always put content first,” says Jim Upshaw, KEZI Distinguished Professor of Broadcast Journalism. “But in today’s media world, electronic tools can greatly influence the effectiveness of our reporting and storytelling. The coming improvements will lead to sharper performance and competitiveness from students as they move toward careers."

Dean Tim Gleason says the school’s focus over the past two years on converting field and editing equipment in the Chambers Electronic Media Center to digital formats has been driven by a desire to prepare students for their professional lives.

“We have talented students working with outstanding faculty,” said Gleason. “The Thompson commitment in conjunction with the McCoy matching gift will take that experience to the next level.”

Thompson, who received his undergraduate degree in telecommunications and film, says he and his family have experienced firsthand the educational opportunities at the University of Oregon. His father and sister both hold degrees in journalism, and his mother holds a degree in telecommunication and film. Thompson’s brother, whom he jokingly calls the “black sheep,” holds a business degree from UO. Thompson says the desire to give something back to the University has inspired him, in addition to his personal donation, to provide the school with electronic equipment that becomes available as FOX upgrades its mobile units.

"It's almost impossible for a university to keep up with technology—things change every couple of years. What I was hoping to do was jumpstart the school's conversion from analog to digital and provide students with more current equipment.

“There has been a significant change in technology in the past couple of years,” Thompson says. “And when a prospective employee comes calling, it’s very important to us that they be up-to-date.”

An eighteen-year veteran of television, Thompson began his career as a door-to-door salesman for Storer Cable Communications in Aloha, Oregon. After working his way up to vice president and general manager of advertising sales in Washington, D.C., Thompson left in 1989 to launch Prime Sports Network in Denver. In 1995, he was promoted to senior vice president of Regional Network Operations for Liberty Sports, the parent company of Prime Sports Network. In 1996 Liberty and Fox combined to create FOX Sports Networks. As president, Thompson is responsible for the negotiation of rights agreements with professional teams, leagues, and collegiate conferences that air on FOX’s regional sports network and on FOX Sports Net, the company’s nationally distributed network.

In addition, Thompson oversees FOX Sports International, where he is responsible for supervising all international activities, including channel development and management, syndication sales, acquisitions, and new business development.