SVG Students To Watch: Hope Durkee, University of Arkansas

After arriving in Fayetteville with dreams of calling games, the Arkansas native found her passion in the control room, building a promising future in replay and producing

The future of live sports production remains bright. Back for Season 2, SVG Students To Watch spotlights the next generation of live-sports-production professionals. Across campuses nationwide, students are playing a key role in bringing their schools' games to fans - producing shows, directing broadcasts, running replay, building graphics, operating cameras, engineering workflows, and more. This series celebrates the young talent already making an impact today and preparing to shape the future of sports-video production.

Hope Durkee

College: University of Arkansas

Academic Year: Senior

Hometown: Springdale, AR

Roles: Replay Operator, Technical Director, Graphics Operator

What drew you to live sports production, and how did you get started?

I have always loved watching sports, both in person and on TV. Starting back in middle school, I thought I wanted to be a TV or radio play-by-play announcer. Even throughout my freshman year of college, that was what I wanted to do. My sophomore year I started working for Razorback Sports Network and was introduced into the world of live sports production.

Durkee, a senior at the University of Arkansas, has developed a strong skill and passion for running replay while working on live game productions for various ESPN platforms, as well as on videoboard shows. Here, she operates an Evertz DreamCatcher replay system for a men's basketball game in February.I had no idea how many positions were involved and what went into putting a game on air. I did a quick comparison of how many talent were involved with a show to how many people were involved in the behind-the-scenes production and saw more opportunity in the production route. Also, I absolutely loved it. I just had never known those jobs existed.

What has been your favorite project or game that you've worked on, and why?

I think my favorite set of games that I've worked on is the 2026 softball super regionals when Arkansas beat Duke to advance to the WCWS. I was the lead tape op for it, and I was proud of my work before and during the game. It was also incredibly cool to help broadcast a historic event for Arkansas softball as it was their first trip ever to Oklahoma City.

A Springdale, AR, native, Durkee has gained valuable experience on SEC Network and ESPN productions while building toward a career as a replay op and producer. Here, she's in the Arkansas Tape Room for the first show of the Spring 2026 semester with fellow students Lauren Davidson (left) and Ellie Hagen.What's the most challenging aspect of working in live sports production as a student?

I would say the most challenging thing is balancing work with homework. When you work in sports, there are no set shifts. You always have an idea of how long the game will go, but there's never a guaranteed end time.

What is one role, skill, or area of production you're trying to improve in right now?

I am trying to become more familiar with graphics because I want to become a producer.

After originally aspiring to become a play-by-play announcer, Durkee discovered a love for the technical and creative sides of live sports production through Razorback Sports Network. Here, she works in the replay room for NCAA Softball Super Regionals with fellow students (from left) Kennedy Smith, Weston Penny, and Lauren Davidson.What are your career aspirations after graduation?

My career goal is to become a producer at a college. I would love to become one at an RSN if the opportunity is available. I spent this past summer as an intern with ESPN, so that would also be an option in some role. I think it could be fun to work for a professional team, but right now I love college sports and would like to continue working in them.

What advice would you give to your freshman self or to another student hoping to get started in live sports production?

Never lose your love of the game. You work in sports because it's fun. It's clich but: work hard and do good work. Learn all you can. People will notice when you put in the effort.

If you run video production at a college athletic department and would like to recommend a standout student from your crew to be featured in SVG Students To Watch, please email SVG Director of Digital Brandon Costa at [email protected].

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/10/29/svg-students-to-watch-hope-durk...
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