From being a news anchor on his middle school’s morning show to calling the play-by-play action at Reading Royals hockey games, sophomore media studies and production student Erik Jesberger (he/him) is already making quite a name for himself in the broadcasting business.

Jesberger has been with the Royals since September 2021 where he started as a broadcast and media relations intern. In that role, he clipped highlights, created posts and got the opportunity to do intermission reports at live games.

When the former play-by-play announcer Dylan Coyle, KLN ’21, stepped down in February 2022, the team gave Jesberger a shot at calling a game. What was supposed to be a two-game trial turned into a part-time job after only one game because the management was so impressed with his broadcasting skills. Now, Jesberger serves as the director of communications and broadcasts for the team.

With the Royals, Jesberger also does written work including preview articles, post-game recaps and coach and player interviews.

Jesberger is happy that he gets to use what he is learning in his classes at Temple University, especially skills from his play-by-play broadcasting class with Associate Director of the Claire Smith Center for Sports Media and Adjunct Professor Marc Zumoff, KLN ’92 (he/him).

“He is extremely engaged. He is focused. He has come across an opportunity now by happenstance that typically only happens for a young broadcaster who is several years out of college,” Zumoff said.

In addition to his classes and work with the Royals, Jesberger has immersed himself in Temple’s student media outlets. When asked about his journey in those outlets so far, Jesberger said, “In a word, busy. But it’s all living the dream of being a sports reporter and trying to pursue this as a career.”

At OwlSports Update, Jesberger volunteered right away to get behind the camera, knowing that that was the way to make his way on camera. Associate Professor of Practice Matt Fine (he/him) commended his eagerness to say yes to new projects on the show.

“He tackles his OSU work just like he does with the hockey team. It’s very professional,” Fine said. Jesberger’s work has certainly paid off, as he has now had the opportunity to do live hits for men’s and women’s rowing. 

Television isn’t the only aspect of broadcast Jesberger is interested in, though. As a freshman, he got involved in student-run radio station, WHIP, and credits the station with giving him his first on-air experience at Temple.

Jesberger is grateful to the upperclassmen and advisors like Fine and Zumoff at the media outlets that have “laid down the blueprint” for him to follow as he carves his own path.

Fine and Zumoff can tell that Jesberger is always looking for new opportunities to sharpen his skills and look forward to seeing how he grows during the rest of his time at Temple.

Currently, Jesberger is looking into adding Klein College of Media and Communications’ sports media certificate to his coursework, and is also interested in adding a minor in communication studies. For now, Jesberger will continue his work with the Royals, OwlSports Update and WHIP, and is looking forward to exploring more of what Klein has to offer.