John Sabino, KLN ’16, from Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, always enjoyed watching and playing sports, and his passion for sports, coupled with the skills he built at the Klein College of Media and Communication, has helped him create a career at Lafayette College as a video production manager in athletics. 

Sabino originally came to Temple with an interest in film, but he pivoted to pursuing media studies and production. He quickly got involved on campus, working at the camera equipment rental desk, producing OwlSports Update and pursuing several internships, one taking place in Los Angeles during his junior year Study Away semester.  

“Temple really helped me build experience in every single role,” he shared. 

With his natural love for the fast-paced nature of sports, Sabino truly found his place working for OwlSports Update. Matt Fine, associate professor of media studies and production and executive producer of OwlSports Update, was a key mentor for Sabino, recognizing his work ethic and offering him new challenges to take on.  

“He’s a very hands-on professor and lets you put in the time and do your due diligence,” Sabino said about Fine. 

After his graduation, Sabino completed an internship before heading into his full-time role at Lafayette. He will soon celebrate a decade of work with Lafayette, and he encourages upcoming graduates to wait for the right job offer to come along. 

“My advice for looking for a full-time job would be don’t take the first offer you get,” he said. “Find what fits you.” 

Sabino spent his first year on the job listening and learning, but soon, he was ready to make the role his own. He built off segments or strategies that other sports livestreams were implementing, and he always kept his mentors from Temple in mind. He asked Fine to announce baseball games at Lafayette and found that the intercollegiate partnership was a natural fit.  

“Ever since then, he’s been the main voice for Lafayette Baseball,” Sabino said. 

Sabino is an alum who has passed the torch of mentorship onto new Owls. Using Fine as a resource, Sabino finds names of students who can help cover Lafayette sports, creating opportunities for students to further their skills.  

“The on-campus broadcasts John puts together are as good as any you will see,” Fine said. “These are tools he learned while producing award-winning shows for OwlSports Update as a student. So, now in his current role at Lafayette, when he calls me asking for more Temple students to fill so many valuable jobs, it's both exciting and gratifying. You have a Temple alum using Temple students to produce professional content. It helps give us the reputation of being the best around.”