Medium: How I launched an app for FOX Sports in co-op
UC engineering student shares experience developing an Apple app
Medium published a first-person essay by a University of Cincinnati student who wrote about his experience developing a new app during a co-op with FOX Sports.
Jackson Hacker, a computer science student in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science, developed an Apple Watch app during his software engineering co-op at FOX Sports.
UC's Jackson Hacker designed a FOX Sports app for Apple Watch. Photo/Apple
"I was extremely nervous to touch such an enormous and widely used product," Hacker wrote.
UC was the first public institution to launch cooperative education, a model where students spend alternate semesters going to class full time and working full time at any of 1,300 co-op partners around the world. UC is ranked No. 4 for co-op in U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings.
"The magnitude of the product I was working on was staggering — millions of users, tens of thousands of lines of code and dozens of dependencies. I felt a bit out of my league," Hacker wrote.
The app Hacker developed allows Apple Watch users to check with a glance at their wrist the latest scores of games important to them, updated in real time. The app was released in the Apple App Store in December.
"I cannot believe how far I have come as an engineer in such a short time," Hacker wrote. "I am incredibly grateful to everyone at FOX who gave me the opportunity to grow so much while working on such amazing products."
Featured image at top: UC students cheer the Bearcats football team during Homecoming at Nippert Stadium. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand
Beyond the classroom
UC invented cooperative education more than 100 years ago, and we continue to innovate all aspects of experience-based learning, including internships, service learning, virtual co-ops, community projects and industry partnerships. Learn more.
Related Stories
Discovery Amplified expands research, teaching support across A&S
February 19, 2026
The College of Arts & Sciences is investing in a bold new vision for research, teaching and creative activity through Discovery Amplified. This initiative was launched through the Dean’s Office in August 2024, and is expanding its role as a central hub for scholarly activity and research support within the Arts & Sciences (A&S) community. Designed to serve faculty, students, and staff, the initiative aims to strengthen research productivity, foster collaboration, and enhance teaching innovation. Discovery Amplified was created to help scholars define and pursue academic goals while increasing the reach and impact of A&S research and training programs locally and globally. The unit provides tailored guidance, connects collaborators, and supports strategic partnerships that promote innovation across disciplines.
Generous gift supports renovations to UC Blue Ash Veterinary Technology Building
February 18, 2026
A longstanding relationship between Greenacres Farm in Indian Hill and the Veterinary Technology Program at UC Blue Ash College has led to a generous gift that will support a major renovation project.
CCM Philharmonia presents concert + livestream on Feb. 20
February 18, 2026
Audiences can enjoy CCM Philharmonia's next concert in person or watch at home via livesteam at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. Featuring alumni guest artists Rebecca Barnes, viola; and Jonathan Lee, cello; tickets for the "Midlife Crisis" concert are on sale now through the CCM Box Office. The livesteam is free to watch on CCM's website and YouTube channel.