The Tiger Kickoff Show is recorded in the Reynolds Journalism Institute studio.
Nov. 13, 2025
Contact: Eric Stann, StannE@missouri.edu
Photos by Nate Brown, Eli Hess, Zander Kobold and Cameron Brooks
Jacob Siciliano always knew he wanted to become a sports journalist. Growing up in Arlington Heights, Illinois — just outside Chicago — he pictured himself in front of the camera, breaking down plays and telling the stories behind the games.
Today, he’s living that dream at University of Missouri.
Siciliano, now a senior at the Missouri School of Journalism, hosts the “Tiger Kickoff Show,” which delivers analysis and commentary on Mizzou football bi-weekly to fans on campus and beyond.
Across campus, Mizzou junior Eli Hess leads a group of sports storytellers capturing the excitement and emotion of high school football for “Friday Night Fever,” a long-running production and Friday night tradition across mid-Missouri that airs on KOMU-TV, the campus-owned NBC affiliate.
Together, these programs reflect the School of Journalism’s signature Missouri Method, which allows students to learn by doing, producing professional-level broadcasts that engage real audiences and communities.
Turning passion into production
Four years ago, when Siciliano first arrived at Mizzou, he couldn’t wait for his chance to host the “Tiger Kickoff Show.” Last year, that opportunity finally came — giving him a firsthand look at the creativity and coordination behind every episode.
The show is produced in partnership with KOMU-TV and the Columbia Missourian, the campus-owned community newspaper. Taped each week in the Reynolds Journalism Institute studio, each episode blends classroom learning with real-world experience.
This year, Siciliano and his fellow students are taking the show to the next level. What began as a small, student-run production just five years ago has evolved into a professional, ESPN-style show covering all things Mizzou football.
Each episode, Siciliano is joined by Columbia Missourian beat writers Quentin Corpuel, Chase Gemes and Zach Sweet, who provide in-depth analysis, highlights and storytelling to every segment. And they’re supported by a growing production team behind the cameras.
Last year, Siciliano was handling nearly everything himself — producing, editing, promoting and managing social media in addition to his on-air role. This year, that’s changed. The show now features a dedicated team of producers, graphic designers and social media managers, led by junior Tyson Ellison and senior Tyler Mader.
Ellison — a KOMU-TV reporter and former football player — serves as the show’s full-time video producer, while Mader oversees social media strategy and digital engagement.
“It’s like running a mini-TV station,” said Siciliano, who also reports for KOMU-TV. “We stack the show, edit, publish and distribute everything ourselves. You learn every part of what it takes to make a real broadcast happen.”
With mentorship from faculty members John Anderson — a longtime ESPN broadcaster himself — and Mark Horvit, the team continues to build momentum. In just six weeks, the show surpassed 1,000 followers across social media platforms.
“People are reaching out wanting to sponsor us or shadow us,” Siciliano said. “There’s something special here, and we just want to keep that momentum going.”
Friday night football: Adrenaline, community and collaboration
When high school football kicks off across mid-Missouri, Friday nights are also game time for Mizzou journalism students producing “Friday Night Fever” for KOMU-TV and “Friday Night Sights” in the Columbia Missourian.
The dual experiences put more than 40 journalism students in the heart of the action — capturing the excitement of local high school football and the pride that comes with it.
“Friday Night Fever” is a long-standing tradition at Mizzou and throughout mid-Missouri. The students split into small groups and fan out across the region to cover 15-20 games on a single night. From shooting highlights to writing scripts, editing footage and producing segments, they work against the clock to have every story package ready for the 10 p.m. newscast that same night.
“During the 15 minutes before we go on air, I’m running on pure adrenaline,” Hess, this year’s show coordinator, said. “Everyone’s hustling to make sure every 30-second highlight clip is ready and every graphic is in place. It feels like a true newsroom environment — chaotic but in the best way possible.”
Hess’ weekly preparations begin hours before kickoff. By mid-afternoon on Fridays, he’s already building newsroom rundowns, assigning coverage and organizing travel to each game.
The opportunity is open to all journalism students — from freshmen gaining their first hands-on experience to seniors sharpening their leadership skills. Throughout the season, students learn to meet tight deadlines, think on their feet and collaborate under pressure — the fundamentals of any newsroom work.
For Hess, one of the most rewarding parts is watching juniors and seniors mentor younger students through their first game experiences — offering advice on filming, editing and on-air communication just as other students once did for him.
“You learn things here before you ever sit in a classroom,” Hess, a native of Hannibal, Missouri, said. “By the time you take your first producing or reporting courses, you already know what it feels like to work in a newsroom.”
A show that connects with the community
The impact of “Friday Night Fever” extends far beyond the newsroom.
Each week, the show sparks excitement across mid-Missouri — from players and parents to entire communities proud to see their hometown teams on TV. Community members often share clips and highlights of the games online, while high school athletes eagerly repost the coverage on social media.
“Everyone cares about their high school football team, and it’s special to be the ones who get to share that,” Hess said. “We’ll get phone calls from people all over saying, ‘Thank you so much for showing us.’ That kind of feedback reminds you that journalism can make people feel seen and proud of where they’re from.”
This year, the first episode of “Friday Night Fever” began on an emotional note with a tribute to the late KOMU-TV Sports Director Ben Arnet, who helped shape the show into the powerhouse training ground it is today.
“It wasn’t just about football,” Hess said. “It was about honoring what Ben built — teamwork, storytelling and resilience. Everyone came together like a family.”
Missouri Method in motion
From the creative buzz inside the Reynolds Journalism Institute to the high-energy newsroom at KOMU-TV, both the “Tiger Kickoff Show” and “Friday Night Fever” embody the School of Journalism’s hands-on learning philosophy.
Whether they’re covering SEC football or hometown rivalries under the lights, these students are gaining more than professional experience. They’re building confidence, leadership and community — and shaping the next era of sports media in the process.
