Lee Farrell always knew he wanted to shine in the spotlight. The senior communication studies student discovered his talent for communicating as a child actor in theater, film and television. Last summer, he learned more about the business side of entertainment as a development intern with JUMA Entertainment; but since 2018, he has stolen the show as the in-game host for Temple University Athletics.
Although Farrell demonstrated his gift for performing early in life by appearing in national productions such as ads for RadioShack and the Biography Channel, he did not start sharing his talents at Klein College of Media and Communication until he came to Temple as a transfer student his sophomore year. He was especially attracted to opportunities requiring communication because they allowed him to explore his options.
“I could go into any type of area I wanted to learn more about, including public relations, film — I could be a baker,” he says. “You can do so much with communication.”
Though he worked behind the scenes, Farrell’s recent internship at JUMA Entertainment helped solidify his love for communicating through entertainment. The company produces shows for network television and specific channels, and as a development intern, he focused on pre-production tasks, such as finding talent, brainstorming show ideas, finalizing scripts and writing show descriptions. His exceptional talents earned him recognition from JUMA’s vice president and CEO, who met with Farrell and encouraged him to keep going.
“I tell people all the time, ‘College is great, make sure you take what you learn from college and apply it to your daily life.’” Farrell says. “But when you’re in a real-world situation, in a real work environment, you kind of learn how to be more independent.”
However, some of the most exciting skills he has developed relate to his role as an in-game host for Temple Athletics. At Temple sporting events, he is responsible for hyping up fans and performing on camera, all while sticking to the schedule. The position is a volunteer commitment, but Farrell receives Under Armor gear and season tickets for friends and family to enjoy the games he hosts.
“Being an in-game host here just really tests your creativity, your on-the-spot thinking, improv: pretty much the way you speak, the way you talk,” he says. “A lot of times I stick to the script but remember to have fun with it.”
Farrell’s abilities are clear to game-goers and staff alike. Karli Hausman, assistant athletic director of marketing and fan engagement for Temple Athletics, recognized his innate talent before he even earned the in-game host spot. During his tryout, Farrell was a little blindsided by the expectations for the audition, but Hausman and her team could tell he was adaptable. His organic energy was infectious, and after firmly determining his potential to grow as an emcee, she brought Farrell on for the position.
“I think what really stands out as a good emcee is somebody who doesn’t read off the cards, can just be free-flowing, can engage with the people who they’re live on camera with and adlib,” she says. “And he does all of that. That’s something that you can’t really teach people, it just has to come naturally.”
Farrell believes that his unique style of expression is an advantage. He hopes that his acquired communication skills and expertise as a live performer can inspire others to appreciate their own gifts.
“The best quality someone has is being themselves,” he says. “If you are true to yourself, then your personality will shine. And having a personality goes a long way.”