The connections I made at Bridgewater have made it easier to broaden my horizons and figure out the trajectory of my career.
When Thomas Pike, ’17, first picked up a camera to film the Bridgewater State University football team play against Endicott College, little did he know it marked the beginning of a successful career covering some of the most elite events in professional sports.
“My first experience with collegiate sports at BSU is what provided me with the gateway to what I wanted to do,” Pike said. “The connections I made at Bridgewater have made it easier to broaden my horizons and figure out the trajectory of my career.”
That trajectory recently landed Pike inside New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome for Super Bowl LIX, producing three different segments for Draft Kings, where he works as an associate technical director.
While in New Orleans, he worked behind the scenes helping to produce the Draft King Network’s “GoJo and Golic,” “Pregame Powerup,” and “The Ross Tucker Football Podcast.”
“It was a blast,” Pike said.
This isn’t the first time the BSU alumnus has worked the big game. He also traveled to Los Angeles in 2022 for Super Bowl LVI.
Pike doesn’t take any of it for granted and admits he loves his job.
“I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by amazingly talented people,” he said. “Working with others who have different backgrounds, all with the same purpose and goals...I get to be around people I can learn from every single day.”
That willingness to learn from others goes back to his days at BSU, where he got involved with sports production under Associate Director of Athletics & Recreation Operations Glenn Gonsalves and received overall guidance from James Moore, an instructor with the Department of Communication. Both, Pike said, were integral in his growth.
“I had been undecided when I first got to Bridgewater in terms of what I wanted to do, but soon realized I really liked making videos and fell in love with it,” Pike said.
He also gained valuable work experience as an intern for the Brockton Rox and worked for BTV Access Corporation, better known as Bridgewater Community Television.
“That experience really helped me learn how to run and direct a show,” Pike said.
After graduating from BSU with a degree in communications, things happened fast. He was first hired by Dirty Water Media in Boston to create features and film content. Through that job he met someone within the Boston Red Sox organization. Soon he interviewed for and was offered a job as production assistant for the organization.
“Yep, I got the job and was able to witness the Red Sox go to the World Series. It’s interesting, since I left that job, they’ve declined,” Pike joked. “But really, it was a great experience being part of that team and organization.”
He then moved on to work as chief editor for Medfield TV, a local access television station before venturing out on his own as a freelancer.
“Starting your freelance journey during COVID – not the easiest,” Pike said.
Around this time, he reached out to his former employer at Bridgewater Community Television. That’s when he became aware of the opportunity at Draft Kings.
“In every position I’ve had, I’ve been able to use all the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my journey,” Pike said.
As for the next chapter in his career? He’s unsure but can’t wait to see what happens next.
“I’ve been fortunate to be in this amazing position to cover both the World Series and Super Bowl. The next step would have to be covering the Stanley Cup or NBA Championship,” Pike said. “We’ll just have to see what the road opens up for me and go from there.”
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