Terrence Salami: CBS Sports Immersion Program
Apr 20 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – As an offensive lineman for the Scarlet Knights, Terrence Salami knows work behind the scenes might not be noticed, but is critical to the success of the team. The South Jersey native had a similar experience recently in Chicago through Scarlet Knights For Life, and may have found a new passion after his football career is over.
Selected as one of 10 student-athletes in the Big Ten across several sports, Salami spent his spring break participating in the CBS Sports Immersion Program at the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. The experience left a positive impression getting to see the inner workings of live television production.
"It was amazing," Salami said of his first trip to Chicago. "Overall, it was a community of people that looked to give athletes a betterment of themselves and more opportunities. They know how competitive we are, especially being in the Big Ten. We all have that competitive fire in us, but they look to direct that somewhere and that is something that I really appreciate. This was my first time doing something like this in my time being here, so I think it was a really big opportunity and a great experience."
While also taking in the sights of the Windy City, Salami had a chance to meet CBS producers, directors and other professionals who work off camera behind the scenes to put together the broadcast. He also spoke with talent seen on camera, including Hall of Famer Grant Hill. During the games, he was put to work capturing courtside content of fan, player and coach reactions for social media.
"The highlight was definitely the people I met," Salami said. "Everyone was phenomenal. I got some good clips too that I will keep on my phone forever. I mean, a couple of game winners, so it was really cool."
Having earned his undergraduate degree in information technology and informatics, Salami, who saw action in all 12 games last season, is now working on a graduate degree in business and science technology. He is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and recently a member of Rutgers football's nation-leading 21 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society selections.
Spring break opened a new perspective, such as a conversation with director Mark Grant, who has been with CBS since 1998.
"Mark spoke to us about how he came up to being a director and he showed us a clip from a couple years ago where somebody hit a game winner, a 15-second clip," Salami said. "However, it had his voiceover in the back talking about switch to camera 16, camera four and other cameras. It's all the stuff that we see while we are at home, all these angles of maybe like the coach's face or the players celebrating and the fans, but for him he is in the moment making those quick, split-second decisions. They are making a story like we are there making a story as athletes. They are making a story as directors, producers, as part of CBS and the Big Ten, and I thought that was incredible."
Broadcasting was not something on Salami's radar, but it is now.
"I learned that I never really saw myself in sports broadcasting or sports media before," he said. "However, it was something that I think sparked a little bit of a fire in me, just knowing that there were so many aspects of sports that I do not even know about as an athlete. As an athlete, I prepare for the game, I go out there, I play, but there are people that are out there maybe since four in the morning setting up the recording truck. There are so many different aspects that I just never considered because I am focused on the game and I think that was one of the biggest things. And just knowing that there are still avenues where I could still be connected with sports. I love sports. I love competitiveness and all that stuff, and just knowing there are still avenues where I can be connected to sports is just absolutely amazing."
With a mission to help support Rutgers student-athletes with hands on learning experiences, Scarlet Knights For Life worked with Salami to help land the opportunity with CBS. It is a partnership Salami values for multiple reasons.
"Scarlet Knights For Life has helped tremendously opening me to different opportunities," Salami said. "They are always looking for ways to help their athletes and give them a better platform. When your sport's done and you enter the workforce, they are looking to set you up in the best way possible, and I love that. I was gifted to be able to be a part of this opportunity and I am forever grateful for everybody that had a hand to play in it.
"A 10 out of 10 experience, would do it again."
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
Selected as one of 10 student-athletes in the Big Ten across several sports, Salami spent his spring break participating in the CBS Sports Immersion Program at the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. The experience left a positive impression getting to see the inner workings of live television production.
"It was amazing," Salami said of his first trip to Chicago. "Overall, it was a community of people that looked to give athletes a betterment of themselves and more opportunities. They know how competitive we are, especially being in the Big Ten. We all have that competitive fire in us, but they look to direct that somewhere and that is something that I really appreciate. This was my first time doing something like this in my time being here, so I think it was a really big opportunity and a great experience."
While also taking in the sights of the Windy City, Salami had a chance to meet CBS producers, directors and other professionals who work off camera behind the scenes to put together the broadcast. He also spoke with talent seen on camera, including Hall of Famer Grant Hill. During the games, he was put to work capturing courtside content of fan, player and coach reactions for social media.
"The highlight was definitely the people I met," Salami said. "Everyone was phenomenal. I got some good clips too that I will keep on my phone forever. I mean, a couple of game winners, so it was really cool."
Having earned his undergraduate degree in information technology and informatics, Salami, who saw action in all 12 games last season, is now working on a graduate degree in business and science technology. He is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and recently a member of Rutgers football's nation-leading 21 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society selections.
Spring break opened a new perspective, such as a conversation with director Mark Grant, who has been with CBS since 1998.
"Mark spoke to us about how he came up to being a director and he showed us a clip from a couple years ago where somebody hit a game winner, a 15-second clip," Salami said. "However, it had his voiceover in the back talking about switch to camera 16, camera four and other cameras. It's all the stuff that we see while we are at home, all these angles of maybe like the coach's face or the players celebrating and the fans, but for him he is in the moment making those quick, split-second decisions. They are making a story like we are there making a story as athletes. They are making a story as directors, producers, as part of CBS and the Big Ten, and I thought that was incredible."
Broadcasting was not something on Salami's radar, but it is now.
"I learned that I never really saw myself in sports broadcasting or sports media before," he said. "However, it was something that I think sparked a little bit of a fire in me, just knowing that there were so many aspects of sports that I do not even know about as an athlete. As an athlete, I prepare for the game, I go out there, I play, but there are people that are out there maybe since four in the morning setting up the recording truck. There are so many different aspects that I just never considered because I am focused on the game and I think that was one of the biggest things. And just knowing that there are still avenues where I could still be connected with sports. I love sports. I love competitiveness and all that stuff, and just knowing there are still avenues where I can be connected to sports is just absolutely amazing."
With a mission to help support Rutgers student-athletes with hands on learning experiences, Scarlet Knights For Life worked with Salami to help land the opportunity with CBS. It is a partnership Salami values for multiple reasons.
"Scarlet Knights For Life has helped tremendously opening me to different opportunities," Salami said. "They are always looking for ways to help their athletes and give them a better platform. When your sport's done and you enter the workforce, they are looking to set you up in the best way possible, and I love that. I was gifted to be able to be a part of this opportunity and I am forever grateful for everybody that had a hand to play in it.
"A 10 out of 10 experience, would do it again."
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
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