Media Production students earn awards at state broadcasting competition

Eight Pittsburg State University Media Production students swept this year’s Kansas Association of Broadcaster’s competition, bringing home eight awards in seven categories.  

They were led by Communication Professor Troy Comeau, Assistant Professor Barth Cox, and Assistant Instructional Professor Kate Allred 

“These awards have become more competitive each year, so our students should be very proud to successfully compete against students from throughout the state,” Comeau said.  

Their success included two 1st Place awards:   

• DJ Brown (Shawnee) for “DJ Brown Demo Aircheck,” On-Air Personality 
• Drake Miller (Webb City) for “Play-by-Play,” Sports Play by Play. Miller graduated in May 2025. 

 

Other awards included:  

Promotional Announcement 

Alexandria Acheson (Parsons): 2nd Place for “Pittsburg State Brand Identity Video.” 

Best General News Story 

David Sheets (Leawood): Honorable Mention for “SEK Recycling Center Temporary Shutdown PKG.” 

Complete Sports Feature 

Titus Conrad (Pittsburg): Honorable Mention for “PSU Men’s Basketball Season Preview PKG.” 

Sports Play-by-Play 

Brayton Lind (Gridley): Honorable Mention for “UCM vs Minnesota St. Mankato Men’s Basketball Play by Play.” 

Sports Color Commentator or Sideline Reporter 

Zack Farabough (Haysville): 2nd Place for “Sports Color Commentary (Pittsburg State vs Arkansas Fort-Smith).” 

Documentary 

Aaron Thompson (Pittsburg): Honorable Mention for “Preserving The Big Train: A Family’s Gift to Humboldt.” Thompson graduated in May 2025. 

“We submitted our students best work to the competition. I’m proud of the work they did and the awards we received,” said Allred. 

Students received their awards in Kansas City in conjunction with the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Sports Broadcasting and Student Seminar, where they connected with professionals from around the state in breakout sessions and practiced their skills through various activities.  

Learn more about Media Production at Pitt State.