Matt Archibald uses experience from Ohio University and WOUB to produce content for Learfield Studios

When Matt Archibald came to Ohio University in 2008, he never imagined that after he graduated he’d trade one OU for another by becoming a sports producer for Oklahoma University.

“I’ve been a part of the media team for the Oklahoma Sooners since I graduated in 2012,” said Archibald. “It’s been a really good fit for me.”

Archibald chose to come Ohio University for college because he thought he wanted to be a local sports anchor or be on the air at ESPN.

“I knew I liked sports and watching ESPN sports programs, so I wanted to find out what sports TV hosts went to school for,” said Archibald. “After doing a little research, I found out Ohio University and the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism had a good reputation for journalism.”

During his first week on campus, Archibald attended the Student Involvement Fair on College Green and quickly found the WOUB Public Media information table.

“I learned that WOUB had a Friday night football highlights show (Gridiron Glory), which was like Football Friday Nite on NBC 4 in Columbus. I was familiar with that kind of program, and it was exactly what I wanted to do,” said Archibald. “So, I attended an informational meeting the next night and got involved.”

Archibald said he came into WOUB with no media experience but was welcomed and supported so he could learn and grow. In addition to Gridiron Glory, Archibald worked on other WOUB TV and radio programs including the high school basketball program, Hardwood Heroes, the Ohio University Athletics program, The Bobcat Sports Showcase, and the nightly half-hour news program, NewsWatch.

“While working on all of those programs, I realized that I didn’t necessarily want to be in front of the camera,” said Archibald. “I liked working behind the scenes on the producing side to make the shows happen.”

After graduation, Archibald eventually made the move to Norman, Oklahoma where he was offered an opportunity to work for Sooner Sports TV after its recent launch.

“I was hired as a TV producer/editor and produced live games and coaches shows,” said Archibald. “That experience at WOUB of working on The Bobcat Sports Showcase, covering college sports, and NewsWatch, where I learned about live TV and how to time out rundowns, set me apart and helped me land that job.”

Archibald eventually started working on the Sooners digital video coverage becoming the director of digital programming and production where he produced and managed online video content, including social media.

In 2022, Archibald was hired as a supervising producer for Learfield Studios with the Oklahoma Sooners. Learfield is a large collegiate sports marketing company, representing more than 200 of the nation's top collegiate properties including the NCAA and its 89 championships, NCAA Football, leading conferences, and many of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country.

“With Learfield, I focus on producing original digital content that you can find on Oklahoma’s social channels and soonersports.com,” said Archibald. “This content incorporates partners of Oklahoma Athletics on videos ranging from mini documentaries to silly interviews and everything in between.”

Archibald says the experience he got at WOUB and OU in Athens set him up for success covering OU sports in Norman.

“WOUB is everything. I came into WOUB with zero experience, but I took advantage of every opportunity to learn,” said Archibald.  “You go in to WOUB, you put in the work, and you are set up for success from day one. The range of opportunities that you can take advantage of is amazing. I can’t imagine a better place in the country for students going into media.”

About WOUB Public Media
As a member station of both NPR and PBS, WOUB Public Media is a trusted source of news, local content and educational resources that have proven to be worthy of the time, effort and support of our users. WOUB, an experiential-learning unit of the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, is a non-profit, community-supported multimedia organization which provides online and broadcast services, along with non-broadcast educational services and student professional development. WOUB serves 55 counties throughout southeastern Ohio, western West Virginia and eastern Kentucky with its broadcast signals. WOUB Radio’s FM Network has transmitters in Athens, Chillicothe, Ironton, Zanesville and Cambridge, while WOUB AM serves the immediate Athens area. WOUB TV is made up of seven television channels (WOUB HD, WOUB Classic, WOUB World, WOUB Create, WOUB Ohio, WOUB Kids and WOUB Voicecorps Reading Service) which are broadcast from two transmitters.

Through its support of public service, teaching, research and administrative missions, along with its high-quality local content and programming, WOUB enriches, enhances and expands the lives and horizons of the people in the communities it serves, as well as Ohio University faculty, staff and students.