By: Tiffany Boggs
From the time Student Media alumnus Zachary Hamilton (class of 2021) was a freshman in high school, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. Like most students aspiring to higher education, Hamilton searched for universities that could accommodate his determined career path. George Mason University was the answer he’d been looking for.
Student Media was the place Hamilton honed his sports broadcasting skills for five years as an undergraduate and graduate student, gaining hands-on experience and logging countless practicum hours in his chosen field to build a strong resume that would be attractive to future employers. Post-graduation, all that experience helped him land key internships and he is now a three-time Emmy Award-winning sports producer for Monumental Sports Network.
In his current role as a producer at Monumental, his portfolio includes pre- and post-show production and coverage of a host of Washington, D.C. home teams including the Capitals (NHL), Wizards (NBA), Mystics (WNBA), and Capital City Go-Go’s (NBA G League).
On July 10, 2025, Hamilton returned home to his alma mater to cover a live basketball game (Washington Mystics vs. Las Vegas Aces) at Mason’s Eagle Bank Arena in a “full-circle” career moment that inspired reflection on his experiences as an undergraduate and graduate student.
“It was great,” Hamilton said. “It really allowed me to learn behind-the-scenes and not just in front of the camera. Now that I’m working full-time behind the camera, you can definitely see where that transition helped me [get to] where I am today.”
Hamilton shared that he loved his time at Mason and recalled reaching out to Student Media’s Associated Director of Technology, David Carroll, to express his interest in doing play-by-play commentary before his freshman year even started. According to Carroll, Hamilton emailed him a month after graduating high school in July 2016 with tapes showcasing his skills calling athletic games.
Hamilton recalls asking Carroll how early he could start calling games at Mason and was told he could begin during his freshman year. Other universities he was considering wouldn’t allow him to start calling games on his own until sophomore or junior year, so Carroll’s answer was a welcome surprise.
“David right away saw potential in me and said, “can you actually come call two games before you even start class as a freshman?” I came up right away [because] I knew that Mason was where I wanted to be,” said Hamilton. “I felt like there was a lot of educational value at Mason, but also a lot of tangible experience I could get in my field.”
Under Carroll’s direction, Hamilton ended up calling several hundred games that aired live on ESPN+ as an on-air commentator for Student Media’s Sports Broadcasting Team. Hamilton completed his undergraduate studies in three years, earning a degree in Communication and Sports Broadcasting. He decided to stay at Mason to complete a Master’s degree as well, taking on numerous behind-the-scenes roles as a graduate assistant including on-air commentator, camera operator, technical director, and graphics operator.
After Hamilton received his Master’s degree in 2021, he stuck around the Mason community to mentor other students and help them land jobs. According to Carroll, “Zach was instrumental in helping [other students] grow as well. One of Zach’s skills is that he’s really good at is recruiting people.”
Now an award-winning professional, Hamilton spoke fondly about his time as a graduate assistant and intern, but noted that working in sports media is “not a typical 9-to-5 job” that may entail extended time away from family and friends or missing important events. That’s why he says it’s a “big deal” to build a community within the industry because the people he works with become a second family.
“I believe if you have talent, you should have that opportunity,” Hamilton said. “So I’m all about helping other people get to their journey as well.”
Photos provided by: Zach Hamilton