The Hope College Sports Information Department will implement a new credential system starting with the 2025-26 season. Failure to comply with the stated requirements and follow all reasonable directives of Hope Athletics' staff will result in immediate loss of credential privileges for future sporting events.
Link to credential form
Any individual or media organization that wishes to bring camera or video equipment to a Hope athletic event to record is required to apply for single-game credentials using this new system for the following NCAA sports when Hope College hosts home events:Â
- Football
- Volleyball
- Men's and Women's Soccer
- Men's and Women's Cross Country
- Men's and Women's Golf
- Men's and Women's Basketball
- Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving
- Baseball
- Softball
- Men's and Women's Lacrosse
- Men's and Women's Track and Field
- Men's and Women's Tennis
Credential Requirements
Hope College Sports Information will issue credentials to those in a working media capacity, and consider issuing credentials to individuals in a non-media capacity.
Credential requests must be submitted to the Hope College Sports Information department 48 hours before each home athletic event. Having been credentialed at other related events does not guarantee acceptance at Hope College athletic events. In addition, receiving an approved credential for one Hope College sporting event does not guarantee a credential for another Hope College sporting event.
For purposes of these requirements, a member of the media is an individual who is a paid employee or contracted representative of a media organization who covers our athletic department or college athletics. That media member must be engaged in disseminating information to the public through a newspaper, magazine, website, wire service, or another accepted publication, radio, television (network), or other medium of digital or mass communication.
Credential requests will be considered only if they are submitted by the owner, beat reporter, sports editor, sports director/producer or photo editor. Each application will stand on its own merits.
Receipt of credentials for Hope Athletics' events is a privilege that will only be extended to individuals who abide by these requirements and all reasonable directives of the Hope College Sports Information department.
Credential Use Requirements
Each approved credential is assigned to a specific person who has been accepted through the credentialing process. Credentials may not be loaned out to another individual for any reason.
In addition, credentials must be worn and visible at all times during the sporting event. Media must also respect the work environment of the Hope College Athletic Department and team(s), as well as their colleagues, by maintaining a professional atmosphere in all media areas. Photographers and videographers must work within assigned media areas at Hope Athletics facilities.
Failure to adhere to these requirements will result in the loss of credentials for any parties involved moving forward. It will also result in immediate removal from the media areas and the possible loss of credential privileges for future events for the individual and the media agency.
Content Requirements
For media members, all photographs and videos taken at Hope College Athletics events are to be used solely for news reporting or editorial purposes by the credentialed individual.Â
For non-media members, the Hope College Sports Information department reserves the right to free access to all photographs and video taken at Hope College Athletics events, upon request. Non-media members must provide a gallery link to the Hope College Sports Information department when it is made public.
Photographs and videos may not be sold without written approval from the Hope College Sports Information department.Â
Subject to limitations of space, credentials for photo/video staff members shall be prioritized to outlets requiring immediate news coverage. Non-media requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
