WINTER PARK, FLA – Every sports fan has had the same fleeting thought every time they turned on a nightly edition of ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter’ hosted by the legendary Dan Patrick; ‘I would love to do that for a living.’

The man who inspired so many aspiring sports journalists is now doing his part. For the last year, Full Sail University’s Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting partnered with Rollins College has opened the door for a new wave of sportscasters.

“I don’t have a title,” Patrick said at the program’s one-year anniversary two weekends ago at Rollins College. “I think that they know I’m approachable so to the students I’m just a mentor.”

A mentor with more 30+ years of sports casting experience. Arguably the most influential sports anchor of the 21^st century, Patrick decided a few years back it was time to help shape the future.

“Well there’s no direct route to get into this business and I’ve been thinking about it for about five years, Patrick said. “II said this is something I want to do. They (Full Sail) said this is different for us, but we’re in this business of online and on campus and it just worked out.  We brought in celebrity or guest faculty. Bill Simmons, Jay Harris, and Sage Steele from ESPN. We have some people who work at networks now. We wanted to provide you with all the answers to the test to get into a job.”

With two program options in terms of length, Patrick wants his students treating the program like a job.

“I want you on air the first day,” Patrick said. “Whether you’re on camera or not, I want you to know what it takes to get into ESPN. There’s no direct route in, but if you at least make yourself well-rounded, when the opportunity calls then you’re ready.”

See the full interview with Dan Patrick and Luke Hetrick above.