About Me

SKILLS

Video/Audio Production

ADOBE PREMIERE PRO, ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS, ADOBE AUDITION, ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

Live Broadcasting

TALK RADIO, PLAY-BY-PLAY, INTERVIEWING, VOICE-OVER, reporting

Digital Content Creation

BREAKING NEWS WRITING, FEATURE WRITING, videography, PHOTOGRAPHY

I’ve got a passion for sports and storytelling.

My name is Parker Thune, and I’ve been working in the field of sports journalism since age 14. My career began with a cold call to the general manager of a local radio station, in which I expressed my desire to kick-start a career in media. He graciously gave me an opportunity to work part-time and learn the nuances of radio broadcasting, and from there, I never looked back. I spent my high school days producing shows, engineering remotes, serving as a play-by-play announcer for high school football broadcasts, and eventually hosting a weekend sports talk show.

In August 2017, I enrolled at the University of Oklahoma — five hundred miles from my hometown of Omaha, NE — to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. In December 2020, I graduated with that very degree and was named the university’s Outstanding Journalism Senior. Throughout my collegiate days, I was blessed with a myriad of fantastic opportunities to refine my abilities as both a producer and a presenter. In March 2020, I accepted a position as a multimedia journalist for Sports Illustrated, my first full-time job in sports media. On a day-to-day basis, I contributed written and audiovisual content to the site, co-hosted the SI Sooners Podcast alongside John Hoover, and traveled to cover Oklahoma football and recruiting.

Now, since December 2020, I’ve covered my alma mater for OUInsider, which was formerly affiliated with 247Sports and now resides on the Rivals network. In August 2021, I picked up another affiliation, joining the weekday lineup on the Ref Sports Radio Network. I co-host “Steelman and Thune at Noon” alongside Oklahoma radio legend Mike Steely, broadcasting live to tens of thousands of listeners across the Sooner State. In January 2022, I began hosting a second radio show alongside Tyler McComas; “Locked In” airs from 2-3pm on the Ref. And amidst the bustle of it all, I graduated once again from OU in May 2022, this time with a master’s degree in intercollegiate athletics administration.

I take pride in versatility, and to that end, I’ve pursued professional experience in broadcast, print and digital journalism. I’ve traveled all over the country to cover sports, from Miami and New Orleans to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I’ve freelanced for ESPN and Fox Sports, and I’ve interned in the sports department at a top ABC affiliate. I’ve served as the producer, and later as an on-air analyst, for the nationally broadcast television program Sooner Sports Pad. I’ve worked in TV trucks and in control rooms. I’ve covered football, baseball, basketball, hockey, golf and even gymnastics. I’m proficient in video editing software, audio production and graphic design. And I’ve claimed 24 regional and national awards in broadcasting, including 2021 All-American honors from the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America.

You can find me on social media at @ParkerThune.

I’m a firm believer that the quality of an individual’s work generally reflects the time and effort that they devote to learning their craft. My hope is that the content I create provides an accurate representation of my work ethic and desire to succeed. Take a look at my work samples for a glimpse at the skills that I’ve devoted years to acquiring.